The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1917-12-08

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have to kill him, an it d save time
to go fer your gun on sight. Might be
wise, too, fer it's likely he'll do thet
same"
How about the horses7"
"Tll fetch them an come along about
two minnits behind you. Once on
them horses. we can ride out of camp
before Alloway or anybody else gifts
into action. Jennie amt much heavier
n a rabbit. Tibet big black will carry
you both"
Buck. a last word-look out fer
tibet Bland womanl"
Duane merely nodded, and then, say
ing that the horses were ready, he
strobe away through the grove.
No outlaws were in sight. He saw
several Mexican herders with cattle.
Blue columns of smoke curled up over
some Of the cabins. The fragrant smell
of it reminded Duane of his home
and cutting wood for the stove. He
noted a cloud of creamy mist rising
above the river, d~issolving in the sun
light.
Then he entered BANDS lane.
While yet some distance from the
cabin he heard loud, angry voices of
man and oma Bland and Kate
still quarrelingl He took a quick sur
vey of the surroundings. There was
not even a Mexican in sight. Then he
hurried a little. Halfway down the
lane he turned his head to peer
through tie cottonwoods. This time
he saw Euchre coming with the horses.
There was no indication that the old
outlaw might lose his nerve at the end.
Duane had feared this.
Duane now changed his walk to a
~leisurely saunter. He reached the
porch and then distinguished what was
said inside the cabin.
IF you do, Bland, by Heaven I'll
fix you and herr That was painted
out in Kate BANDS full voice.
Let me loosel I'm going in there,
I tell you!" replied Bland, hoarsely.
"No! mol I won't let you. You'll
choke the-truth out of her-youli
kill her"
"The truth :" Kissed Bland.
"Yes. | lied. But she lied to save
me. You needn't-murder her-for
that"
Bland cursed horribly. Then follow
ed a wrestling sound of bodies in vio-
lent straining contact-the scrape OF
feet-the jangle of spurs-a crash OF
sliding table or chair, and then the
cry Of a woman in pain.
Duane stepped into the open door,
inside the room. Kate Bland lay
half across a table where she had been
flung. and she was trying to get to
her feet. BANDS back was turned.
He had opened the door into Jennie's
room and had one foot across the
threshold. Duane caught the girls
low, s~huddering cry. Then he called
out loud and clear.
with cat-like swiftness Bland wheel
ed. then froze on the threshold. His
sight, quick as his action, caught
Duane's menacing, u~nmistakable posi-
ton.
BANDS big frame filed the door
He was in a bad place to reach foI
his gun. But he would not have time
for a step. Duane read in his eyes the
| desperate calculation of chances. FOL
4 feeting instant Bland shifted his
| glance. TO his wife. Then his whole
body seemed to vibrate with the swing
of his arm.
Duane shot him. He fell forward
his gun exploding as it hit into th'
floor, and dropped loose from stretch
ing fingers. Duane stood over him
stopped to turn him on his back
Bland looked up with clouded gaze
then gasped his last.
duane, you've killed him J" crie'
Kate Bland, huskily. II knew you''
have tot"
She staggered against the wall, he
eyes dilating, her strong hands clench
ing. her face slowly whitening. SIT
appeared shocked, half stunned, bu
showed no grief.
"Jennie 7" called Duane, sharply
"Come out. Hurry"
She came out with uneven steps
seeing only him. and she stumbled owe
BANDS body. Duane caught her arm
swung her behind him. He feared tn
woman when she realized how she ha'
been duped. His action was proteC
tive. and his movement toward tn
door equally as significant.
"Duanel" cried Mrs. Bland.
II was no time to talk. Duane edge
on. keeping Jennie behind him. A
that moment there was a pounding @
iron-shod hoofs out in the lane. Kat
Bland bounded to the door. When sh
turned back her amazement wa
changing to realization
"Where re you taking Jenf' 81
cried. her voice like a mans.
"Get out of my way" replied DUANE
His look perhaps. without speech, wa
enough for her. In an instant she wa
transformed into a fury.
sYou houndl All the time you WEI
fooling mel You made loye to me