Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-02
/ lie Lone
Star !. Ranger
A Romance Of the Border
BIZ ZANE GREY
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4 SINE Lsosr or WESTERN stars

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81 TINE u0lSf or WESTERN stars
RIDERS or TIE PURPLE SAGE" ETC.

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IA Looking 1t this strange Poggin. in
stinctiyely OWNING his abnormal and
hideous power. Duane had for the
first time In his life the inward quak-
ing fear Of man. It was like
cold-tongued bell ringing within him
and numbing his heart. The old
instructive firing Of blood followed, but
did not drive away. that fear. He
knew. He felt something here deeper
than thought could 60. And he hated
Poggin.
That individual had bsen considering
Fletcher's appeal.
aJim, ante up" he said, IAN II
Phil doesn't raise us out with big
Aand-why, hen get called, an your
pard can set in the game"
Every eye shifted to Knell. He was
dead white. He laughed, and anyone
hearing that laugh would have realized
I his intense anger equally with an as
surance which made him master Of the
situation.
"Poggin, you're q gambler, you are
the ace-high, straight-iush hand Of the
Big Bend" he said, with singing
scorn. '.rll bet you my roll to .
greaser peso that can deal you .
hand your be afraid to play"
J. .PhfI, you're taikin' Wild" growled
Poggin, with both advice, and menace
/ - vi i s - ~
In his tone.
IF there's anything You hate, It's q
man who pretends to be somebody else
when he's not Thet so7"
Poggin podded in slow-satherins
wrath.
Well, Jim's new .pard- this man
Dodge he's not who he seems. But
i know him. An when ! spring his
name on you, Poggin, you'll freeze.
an your hand will be stiff when It
ought to be lightnin'-all because
you'll realize you've been standin'
there five minutes I'VE minutes alive
before hint"
II not hate, then assuredly great
passion toward Posgin manifested IT.
self in ;Knell's scornful, fiery address,
| In the shaking hand he thrust before
Poggin's face. In the ensuing silent
pause Knelrs painting could be plainly
heard. The other men we're pale.
watchful. cautiously edgins either way
to the wall, leaving the principals ana
Duane In the corner Of the room.
Spring his name, then, you said
Poggin, violently with 4 curse.
Strangely Knell did not eren look
at the man he was about to denounce.
4 He leaned toward Poggin. his hands.
+ his body, his long head all somewhat
expressive Of what his face disguised.
"Bnck Duane!" he yelled, suddenly.
The name did not make any differ
ence in Poggin. But Knell's passionate.
swift utterance carried the suggestion
{ that. the name ought to bring Poggin
to qnick action. It was possible, too,
that Knell's manner, the import OF his
denunciation, the meaning back OF all
his passion held Poggin bound more
than the surprise. For the outlaw GER
tainly was surprised, perhaps stagger-
ed at the idea that he. Poggin, had
been about to stand sponsor. with
Fletcher for 4 famous outlaw hated
and feared by all outlaws.
Knell waited long moment, and
then his face broke Its cold immobility
in sans extraordinary expression OF
deyflish glee. He had bounded the
great Poggin into something that gave
: him vicious. monstrous Joy.
Buck Duane! Yes" he broke out,
holly. 1.-THE Nueces gunman! That
fwo-shot, ace-of-spades lone-wolf !!
You an I-we've heard thousand
times Of him-talked about him often.
& An here he Is In front Of you! Poggin,
you were backin' Fletcher's new pard,
Buck Duane. An he'd fooled you
both but for me. But know him.
An know why he drifted in here.
70 fash gun on Cheseldine -on you
ON me! Bah! Don't tell me he
wanted to join the gang. You know q
gunman, for you're one yourself.
Don't you always want to meet real
man, not four-fush? It's the mad
ness Of the gunman, an know It.
11yeI, Duane faced youcalled you!
I'M when I sprung his name. what
ought you have donef What would
me boss anybody hare expected OF
Poggin? Did you throw your gun,
swift, like you have so often7 Nav;
You froze. An why? Because here's
man with the kind Of nerve you'd
love to have. Because he's great
.neetin, us here alone. Because you
know he's a wonder with gun an
you love life. Because you an I an
every damned man here has to take
his front, each to himself. II we all
drew we'd Kill him. Sure! But who's
goin' to lead7 Who was goin' to be
hrst? Who was goin' to make him
draw? Not you, Poggin! You leave
that for lesser man--me- who've
lived to see You coward. It comes
once to every gunman. You've met
your match in Buck Duane. An, by
God, I'm glad! Here's once I show
you up!''
The hoarse, haunting voice failed.
Knell stepped back from the comrade
he hated. He was wet, shaking, bag
Onrd hut magnificent sa9