Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-05

once, and the word most signiticah.
and frequent in their speech was
outlaws"
MacNeny clapped his fist in his
hand.
"Thls II make the adjutant sick
with joy Maybe he won't have II
on the Governor! Well show them
about the ranger service. Duane!
how'd you ever do it?'
"Now, Captain. not the half nor
the quarter of this jobs done, The
gangs coming down the road. They'll
ride in TO town on the dot-two-thlrty.'
GLOW many?" asked MacNelly.
"Poggin, BLOSSOM Kane, Panhandle
Smith. Boldt, Jim Fletcher. and al
other man l don't know"
"Poggin--that's the hard nut td
crack. I've heard their record since
I've been in Val Verde. Where's
Kncll?"
'KnclrS dead"
"Ah." exclaimed MacNelly. softly.
Then he grew businesslike, cool, and
of harder aspect. Duane, it's your
game to-day. We're all under your
orders
You understand there's no sense In
trying to arrest Poggin. Kane and that
lot?' queried Duane.
"No. don't understand that" re.
piled MacNelly, bluntly.
ut can't be done. The drop can't
be got on such men. Poggln! That
outlaw has no equal with gun--un.
less He's got to be killed quick.
They'll all have to be killed. They're
all bad, desperate. know no fear, are
lightning in action"
every well. Duane; then it's fight,
That II be easier, perhaps. The boys
are spelling for fight. Out with your
plan. now
"Iut one man at each end Of this
street. just at the edge of town. Put
bank--two at each open window. Let
them hide till the game begins. The
rest of your men put inside behind
the counters. where they'll hide. Now
60 over TO she bank, spring the thing
on the bank officials. send your men
over one by one. No hurry, no cx-
element, no unusual thing to attract
notice in the bank"
"All right. That's great. Tell me.
where do you intend to waltz
Duane heard MacNelly's question.
and it struck him peculiarly. He had
seemed to be planning and speaking
mechanically. As he was confronted
by the fact it nonplused him some
what and he became thoughtful.
with lowered head.
"Where III you whit, DuaneT' in
sisted MacNelly. with keen eyes
specializing.
"Ill wait in front-just inside the
door," replied Duane, with an effort.
but will you hde?' asked Mac
Nelly.
Duane was silent.
MacNelly stared, and then a strange,
comprehcnding light seemed to fit
over his face.
duane, l can give you no orders
to-day" he said, distinctly. I'm only
offering advice Need you tnke any
more risks? You've redeemed your
self. The governor, the adjutant-gen-
eral-the whole state will rise up and
honor you. say. as ranger, need
you take more risk than your cap
tain?''
Still Duane remained silent. He
was locked between two forces. And
one, a tide that was bursting ut its
bounds, seemed about to overwhelm
him. Finally that side Of him, the
retreating self, the weaker found q
voice.
Captain, just what III do or where
I'll be l can't say yet. In meetings
like this the moment decides. But
I'll be there"
MacNelly spread wide his hands,
looked helpIessly ut his curious and
sympathetic rangers, and shook his
head.
"Now you've done your work-laid
the trap-is this strange move of yours
going to be fair to Miss L0usstreth?
asked MacNelly. in significant low
voice.
Like a great tree chopped at the
roots Duane vibrated to that. He
looked up as If he had seen ghost
Mercilessly the ranger captain went
on: You can win her. Duane! on
you can't fool me. was wise in 9
minute. F'ighr with is from cover
You'll be free, honored, happy. Thai
girl loves you! / saw it in her eyes
She's"
But Duane cut him short with
fierce gesture. He lunged up to nj:
feet, and the rangers fell back. Dark
silent, grim us he had been. still taers