The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-01-18
The Lone Star Ranger
A Fine Tale of the open Country BY ZANE GREY

There's the hotel" said MacNelly.
''SOme of my men are there. We've
scattered around"
They crossed the street, went
through office and lobby, and then
Duane asked MacNeIIy to take them
to a private room. Without a word
the Captain complied When they
were all inside Duane closed the door,
and, drawing deep breath as if of
relief, he faced them calmly.
Miss LOngstreth, you and Miss
Ruth try to make yourselves comfort
! able now" he said. "And don't be dis
tressed." Then he turned to his cap
tain. ''MacNelly, this girl is the
! daughter of the man I've brought to
| you, and this one is his niece"
Then Duane briefly related Long
streth's story, and, though he did not
spare the rustler chief, he was gener-
Gus.
''When I went after Longstreth, -
concluded Duane, ut was either to
kill him or offer him his freedom on
conditions. So 1 chose the latter for
his daughters sake He has already
disposed of all his property. I believe
he'll live up to the conditions. He's
| to leave Texas never to return. Ches-
eldine has been a mystery, and now it
II fade"
A few moments later Duane follow
ed MacNelly to a large room, like a
hall, and here were men reading and
smoking. Duane knew them
rangers
MacNelly beckoned to his men. They
crowded close, eager, like hounds
ready to run. They all talked at
once, and the word most significant
and frequent in their speech was
outlaws"
MacNeuy clapped his fist in his
hand.
This II make the adjutant sick
with joy. Maybe he won't have it
on the Governor! Wen 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-thirty."
How many?" asked MacNelly.
"Poggin, Blossom Kane, Panhandle
Smith, Boldt, Jim Fletcher, and an
other man 1 don't know"
"Poggin-that's the hard nut to
crack! I've heard their record since
I've been in Val Verde. Where's
KneH?
"KnelTs dead"
"Ahw 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.
mo, 1 don't understand that" re-
piled MacNelly, bluntly.
at can't be done. The drop can't
be got on such men. Poggin! That
outlaw has no equal with a gun-un-
less He's got to be killed quick.
They'll all have to be killed. They're
all Ddu, ueSpeTdIe, huON u0 LedL, are
lightning in action
VERY wen. Duane; then it's a fight.
That II be easier, perhaps. The boys
are spelling for a fight. Out with your
plan. now"
Put one man at each end of this
street, just at the edge Of town. Put
four men up in that room over the
bank-two at each open window. Ler
them hide till the game begins. The
rest of your men put inside behind
the counters, where they'll hide. Now
20 over to the bank, spring the thing
on the bank officials, send your men
over one by one. No hurry, no ex-
citement, 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