Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-03-07

>sesai 10 Mnne now menuon OF THESE
things hurt Duane. Uncle Jim was
childish now, and he had great pride
In his nephew. He wanted to hear
Of all Of Duane's exile. And IL there
was one thing more than another thar
pleased him it was to talk about the
bullets which Duane carried In his
body.
Five bullets, amt it?" he asked,
for the hundredth time. "Five in that
last scrapl BY gum! And you had
six before?''
"Yes, uncle" replied Duane.
"Five and six. That makes eleven.
BY gum! A mans man, to carry
all that lead. But, Buck, you would
carry more. There's that niger Ed
wards, right here In Wellston, He's
got ton of bullets in him. Doesn't
seem to mind them none. And there's
Cole Miller. I've seen him. Been a
bad man in his day. They say he
packs twenty-three bullets. But he's
bigger than you-.got more flesh. /.
Funny, wasn't 1t Buck, about the
doctor only bein' able to cut one bullet
out Of you-the one in your breast
bone? It was a forty-one caliber, an
unusual cartridge. l saw 1t, and
wanted 1t, but Miss Longstreth
wouldn't part with 1t. Buck, there
was bullet left In one of Poggin's
guns, and that bullet was the same
kind as the one cut out Of you. BY
gum! Boy, it d have killed you II
1t d stayed there"
1T would indeed, uncle" replied
Duane, and the old, haunting, somber
mood returned.
But Duane was not often at the
mercy Of childish old hero-worshiping
Uncle Jim. Miss Longstreth was the
only person who seemed to divine
Duane's gloomy mood, and when she
was with him she warded OF all sug-
gestion.
One afternoon while she was there
at the west window, a message came
for him. They read it together.
You have saved the ranger service to
the Lone Star State.
MacNelly.
Ray knelt beside him at the window,
and he believed she meant to speak
then of the thing they had Stunned.
Her face was still white, but sweeter
now. warm with rich life beneath the
and her dark eyes. were still
Intent, still haunted by shadows, but
no longer tragic.
TIN glad for MacNelly's sake as
well as the states" said Duane.
She made no reply to that and
seemed to be thinking deeply. Duane
shrank little.
"The paints it any worse today?"
she asked, instantly.
"No; it's the same. 1t will always
be the same. I'm full Of lead. you
know. But don't mind a little pain"
'Then--it's the old mood-the
tear?" she whispered. '"Tell me-"
''Yes. 1t haunts me. I'll be well
soon--able to go out. Then that
that hell will come back -
''No, mol" she said with emotion.
''Some drunken cowboy, some fool
With a gun, will hunt me out in every
town, wherever I co." he went on.
''Buck Duane! To kill
Buck Duane"
flush Don't speak so. Listen.
Hou remember that day In Val Verde,
when / came to pleaded with you
aot to meet Poggin? Oh, that was
terrible hour for me. But it showed
ne the truth. I saw the struggle be-
.ween your passion to kill and your
owe for me. / could have saved you
hen had known what I know now.
Now understand that--that thing
which haunts you. But you'll never
rave to kill another man, thank God!"
Like drowning man he would have
at straws, but he could not
roice his passionate query.
She put tender arms round his neck.
Because you'll have me with you al
ways" she replied. Because always
shall be between you and that
hat terrible thing"
It seemed with the spoken thought
lbsolute assurance of her power came
o her. Duane realized instantly that
le was in the arms Of a stronger
woman than she who had pleaded with
lin that fatal day.
''We'll-we'l be married and leave
rexas," she said. softly, with the red
Hood rising rich and dark In her
heeks.
Ray"
"Yes we will, though you're laggard
n asking me, SIR
"But, dear suppose" he replied,
luskily, suppose there might be-be
hildren-a boy. A boy with his
ather's bloOd!"
II pray God there will be. do
ot fear what you fear. But even So
ell be half my blood"
Duane felt the storm rise and break
a him. And his terror was that Of
py Quelling fear. The shining glory
I love in this woman's eyes made him
veak as child. How could she
I'VE him-how could she so bravely
ace a future with him? Yet she held
i'm in her arms, twining her hands
ound his neck, and pressing close
D him. Her faith and love and beauty
these she meant to throw between
i'm and all that terrible past. They
yere her power, and she meant to
Sc them all. He dared not think of
ccepting her sacrifice.
'.But Ray you dear, noble girl -