The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-02-22

tl. we llus ut uluiith' bh h''''h8
can be proved. We're too strong"
"rhere's where you're dead wrong"
| rejolned Longstrcth, cmphaticnlly. ~
imagined that once, not long ago. ]
was ull.headcd. Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with 4
rustler gang? I've changed my mind.
I've begun to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked, and We
can't last. It's the nature OF life, even
here, for conditions to grow better.
The wise denl for us would be to
divide equally anu leave TIE country,
all Of u.s."
"But you and have oil the stock
all the gain" protested Lawson.
"Ill split mine"
81 won't-that settles that" added
Lawson. instantly.
Longstreth spread wide his hands
rs II II was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not increased his
Guinness, and he now showed more
than impotence. A dull CLINT gleamee
deep in his eyes.
'iour stock and property will last
a long tlme-do lots Of good when
this ranger"
'Bah!" hoarsely croaked Lawson.
The rangers name was a match ap
piled to powder. Haven't I told you
he'd be dead soon--any time-sans
as Laramie ISL"
"Yes. you mentioned the-the sup
position" replied Longstreth, sarcastic
cally. 81 inquired, too, just how that
very desired event was to be brought
about"
"The gang will lay him out"
Bah" rctorted Longstreth, In turn
He laughed contemptuously.
"Floyd, don't he a fool. You've
been on the border for ten years but
you never in all that time saw a man
like this ranger. The only way to
get rid OF him Is for the gang to
draw on him, all at once. Then he's
going to drop some of them. To tell
YOU the truth, / wouldn't care much.
I'm pretty sick Of this mess"
Lawson cursed In Arrangement. His
emotions were all out of proportion
to his intelligence. He was not at
all quick-witted. Duane had never
seen n vnlner or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth, l don't like your talk"
he said.
"If you don't like the way | tulk you
know what you can do" replied Long
streth, quickly. He stood up then,
cool and quiet, with flash OF eyes and
set of lips that told Duane he was
dangerous.
"Well, after all. that's neither here
nor there" went on Lawson, uncon-
~sciously cowcd by the other. THE
thing is, do / get the grill"
"Not by any means except her on
sent"
You'll make her marry mel"
mo. No." replied Longstreth, his
voice still cold, low.pitched.
"All right. Then I'll make her.
Evidently Longstreth understood
the man before him so well that he
wasted no more words. Duane knew
what Lawson never dreamed of, and
that vas tlnt Longstreth had q gun
somewhere within reach and meant
to use II. Then heavy footsteps
sounded outside tramping upon the
porch. Duane believed those foot
steps saved Lawson's life.
"There they are" said Lawson, and
he opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They
all wore coats hiding any weapons.
A big man with burly shoulders
shook hands with Longstreth. and the
others stood back.
The atmosphere OF the room had
changed. Lawson might have been a
~nonentity for all he counted. Long
streth was another MANA stranger
to Duane. II he had entertained q
hope OF freeing himself from this
band. OF getting away 10 a safer
country, he abandoned II ut the very
sight Of these men. There was power
here, and he was bound.
The big man spoke in low, hoarse
whispers. and at this all the others
gathered around him close to the
table. There were evidently some
signs Of membership o plain to
Duane. Then all the heads were
bent over the table. Low voices
spoke, queried, answered. argued.
BY straining his ears Duane caught q
word here and there. They were
planning. and they were brief. Duane
gathered they were to have a reDdez-
o u at or neal Ord.
Then the big man, who evidently
"a the leader Of the present con-
v%ention, got up to depart. He went
as swiftly as he had come. and was
followed by his comrades. Longstrefh
prepared for a quiet smoke. Lawson
seemed uncommunicative and IN
soclable. He smoked flercely and
drank continually. All at once he
Strengthened up al II listening.
"What's that3' he called suddenly.
Duane's strained ears were pervsd-
ed by n slight rustling sound.
"Aiust be 4 rat" replied Longstreth.
Tho r,atla ha,ama N rattla