Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1917-01-11

big jaw as if to shut in impulsiye
words.
''Look here, Morton. 1t stands TO
reason, no matter how strong these
rustlers are, how hidden their work,
however involved with supposedly
honest men-they can't last. There
are a lot of men around Fairdale who
re afraid of their shadoWs-afraid to
be out after dark-afraid to open
their mouths. But you're not one.
What you need out here is some new
blood. Savvy what / mean?
oval, I reckon [ do" he replied,
looking as if a storm had blown over
him. stranger, I'll look you up the
next time I come to town."
Then he went out.
Laramie had eyes like flint striking
fire. He breathed a deep breath and
looked around the room before his
gaze fixed again on Duane.
oval" he replied, speaking low.
you've picked the right men. Now,
who in the hell are your"
Reaching into the inside pocket of
his buckskin vest, Duane turned the
lining out. A star-shaped bright silver
object flashed as he showed it, pocket
and all, under Jim's hard eyes.
"Rangerr' he whispered, cracking
the table with his fist. you sure
rung true to me-"
Laramie, do you know who's boss
of this secret gang Of rustlers here
abouts?" asked Duane, biuntly. It
was characteristic of him to come
sharp to the point. His voice-some-
thing deep, easy, cool about him
seemed to steady Laramie.
"N0," replied Laramie.
''Does anybody know" went on
Duane.
"Wal l reckon there's not one hon
est native who knows"
sBut you have suspicions?
"We have"
"Have you any idea whether Chesel-
dine and his gang are associated with
this gang here?'
Lord knows. I've always suspect
ed them bein' the same gang. None of
us ever seen Cheseldine-an' thet's
strange when Knell, Poggin, Pan
handle Smith, Blossom Kane, and
Fletcher, they all ride here often. No,
Poggin doesn't come here often. But
the others do. Fer tibet matter,
they're around all over west of the
Pecos."
''Now I'm puzzled over this" said
Duane why do men-apparently
honest men-seem to be so close
mouthed here? Is that a fact or only
my impression?"
"It's sure a fact" replied Laramie,
darby. Men have lost cattle an
property in Fairdale--lOst them hon
estly or otherwise, as hasn't been
proved. An in some cases when they
talked-hinted a little-they was
found dead. Apparently held up an
robbed. But dead. Dead men don't
talk! Thet's why we're close,
mouthed."
The ranger was about to speak
again when the clatter of hoofs in
terrupted him. Horses halted out
In front, and one rider got down.
Floyd Lawson entered. He called for
tobacco.
If his visit surprised Laramie he
did not show any evidence. But Law
son showed rage as he saw the ranger,
and then dark CLINT fitted from the
eyes that shifted from Duane to
Laramie and back again. Duane
leaned easily against the counter.
Say, that was a bad break OF
yours" Lawson said. "If you come
fooling around the ranch again
there'n be hell"
1t seemed strange that man who
had lived west Of the Pecos for ten
years could not see in Duane some
| thing which forbade that kind of talk.
1t certainly was not nerve Lawson
showed; men of courage were seldom
intolerant. With the matchless nerve
that characterized the great gunner
OF the day there was a cool, unob
trusive manner, a speech brief, almost
| gentle, certainly courteous. Lawson
was hOt-headed Louisianian of
French extraction; man, evidently,
who had never been crossed in any
| thing, and who was strong, brutal,
passionate, which qualities in the face
Of a situation like this made him
simply a fool.
You're right. But not the kind
you think" Duane retOrted, his voice
sharp and cold
Ray Longstreth wouldn't stoop to
know a dirty blood-tracker like you,"
said Lawson holly. He did not seem
to have deliberate intention to rouse
Duane; the man was simply rancor-
Gus, jealous. "Tu call you right.
You cheap buffer! You four-fush!
You damned interfering, conceited
ranger!'
Lawson, I'll not take offense, be-
| cause you seem to be championing
your beautiful cousin" replied Duane,
in slow speech. But let me return
your compliment. You're a fine South
erner! Why, you're only four-fush-
cheap bull-headed rustler!'
| Duane Kissed the last word. Then
for him there was the truth In Law