Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-02-05
Copyright BY Harper and Brothers
CHAPTER XVI.

On the morning of the twenty-sixth
Duane rode into Bradford in time to
catch the early train. His wound did
not seriously iEcnpacitatc him. Long
streth was with him. And Miss Long
streth and Ruth Herbert would not
he left behind. They We're all leaving
E'nirdalc forever Lnngstrcth had
| turned over the whole of his property
to Norton who was 10 divide it as he
and his comrades believed just
Duane had left iaiTiiiiir with his
party by NiGilt, passed through Sender
son In the carly hours Of dawn. and
reached bradford as he had planned
That fatal morning found Duane
outwnrlly calm, hut inwartlly he was
in a tumult. He wanted to rush to
Val Verde. Would Captain MacNelly
be there with his rangers, as Duane
had planned for them to be? Memory
Of that tawny Poggin returned with
strange passion. Duane had borne
hours and weeks and months Of wait
ing. had endured the long hours Of
the outlaw, but now he had no
patience. The whistle of the train
made him leap.
It was fast train. yet the ride
seemed slow.
Duane did not speak to Lon%stretl,
| and the passengers in the car, changed
| his seat to one behind his prisoner.
The girls sat in q seat near by and
were pale but composed.
Duane did not speak 10 Longstretl
again till the train stopped at Val
Verde.
They got off the car. and the girls
followed rs naturally as ordinary
travellers. The station was II good
deal larger than that mt Bradford. and
| there was considerable action and
hustle incident to the arrival of the
train.
Duane's sweeping gaze searched
faces, rested upon man who seemed
familiar. This fellows look. too. was
that Of one who knew Duane. but was
waiting for sign. Il cue Then Duane.
recognized him-MacNelly. clean-shav-
en-. Without nustache he appeared
different. younger.
When MacNelly saw that Duane In
| tended to greet him. hurried forward
to meet him. A keen light flashed
from his eyes. He was glad, eager.
| yet suppressing himself, and the
| gIances he sent back and forth from
Duane to Longstreth were questioning.
| doubtful. Certainly Longstreth did
not look the part Of an outlaw.
duane! Lord, Tn glad to see you,
| was the Captains greeting. Then ut
| closer look into Duane's face his
| warmth fied--something he saw there
checked his enthusiasm, or at least its
! utterance.
| "MacNelly, shake hands with Ches
| eldine." said Duane, low-voiced.
The ranger stood dumb, motioniess
But he saw Longstreths instant &C.
ton. and awkwardly he reached for
the outstretchei hand.
"Any Of your men down herer
| queried Duane, sharply.
mo. They're uptown"
"Come. MacNelly, you walk with
him. We've ladies in the party. III
come behind with them"
They set of uptown. Longstretf
walked as If he were with friends or
the way to dinner. The girls were
mute. MacNelly walked like mar
in a trance. There was not wore
spoken In four blocks.
| Presently Duane espied stone
building on a corner of the broat
street. There was big sign, Ranch
ers Bank"
There's the hotel" said MacNelly
"Some Of my men are there. We've
scattered around"
| They crossed the street, wen
through Office and lobby, and theI
Duane asked MacNelly to take then
to q private room. Without a wor
the Captain complied. When the
were all inside Duane closed the dool
and. drawing deep breath as II o
relief, he faced them calmly.
Miss Longstreth. you and Mis-
Ruth try to make yourselves comfort
able now" he said. And don't be dis
tressed." Then he turned to his car
tain. "MacNelly. this girl Is tn
daughter of the man I've brought !;
you. and this one is his niece"
Then Duane briefly related Ions
streth's story. and though he did nc
spare the rustler chief he was genel
| GUS.
/ ''When I went after Longstreth,
concluded Duane. ut was either {