The Tucumcari news and Tucumcari times. [volume] (Tucumcari, N.M.) 1907-1921, 1917-03-22

by guml \ mans n man, To carry
all that lead. But, Buck, you would
carry more. There's that Niger Ed
wards, right here In WcllSton. Hes
got a ton of bullets in him. Doesn't
seem to mind them none. AND there's
cole Miller. I've seen him. Been II
bad man in his day. They say ne
packs twcnty.thrce bullets. But he's
bigger than you-got more flesh. .
Funny, wasn't II Buck, about the
doctor only bcin' able to cut Il bullet
out of you-thc one in your breast
bone? II was n forty.one Callhcr, an
unusual cartridge. ! saw u ana
wanted It, but Miss LongStrcth
wouldn't part with 1t. Buck, there
was n bullet left in onC Of HogglnS
guns, and that bullet was the same
kind as the on" cut out of you. Ivy
gum. Boy, it d have killed you If
it Il stayed there
ut would indeed, uncle" replied
Duane. and the old, haunting, somb"r
mood returned.
Eut Duane was not often nj the
mercy of childish old heru.worshipinG
Uncle Jim. Miss Lougstrrth was the
only person who seemed To- divine
nuanc's gloomy mood, and when she
was with him she wardul on all sus-
gcStion.
one afternoon willie she was there
at the west window, II message came
for him. They read II together.
Va, 1a,.. g,,...1 - RrfFY. ..sr.t.. In
Na.Nelv.
Ray knclt beside him at the window,
and h" believed IN" meant to speak
then of the thing they had Stunned.
Her face was Slill white, but Nwrrt"r
now. warm with rich life beneath the
marble; ana her dark eyes were Stiil
intent, still haunted by shadows, bat
no longer tragic.
I'm glad for MncNclly'S sake as
well rs the states" said Duane.
She made no reply IN that and
seemed to be thinking deeply. Duane
shrank a little.
"Thc puin-is it any worse toduyT'
she asked, instantly.
NO; it's the same. II will always
he the same. I'm full of lead, yuu
know. But don't mind Il little pain
'Thcn--it's the old mooh-thc
fcar?' she whispered. Tell me-"
yes. 1t hauntS me. I'll be well
sOon-able to go out. Then that
that he'll will cornc back 90
mo. no." she said with emotion.
"Somc drunken cowboy, some fool
with Il gun, will hunt me out In every
town, wherever | GO" he went on.
m~iscrably. "Buck Duane. 70 XIII
Buck Duane"
"lluSh! Don't speak so. Listen.
You remember that day in Val Verde,
when | came to yOu-plcaIcd with you
not to meet poggin? Oh, that was Il
terrible hour for me. But it showed
me the truth. | saw the struggle be.
tween your passion to Kill and yOuI
. love for me. ! could have saved you
then had | known what | know now
/, Now | understand that-that thing
which haunts you. But ynull never
/, have to XIII another man, thank God! =
. Like II drowning man he would hav,
} EIISltu ul SllANN y, bll l' ibllll no
voice his passionate query.
She put tender arms round his neck
| because you'll have me with YOU al
ways" she replied. ''l;ecnuSc Away,
! shall be between you aud that
that terrible thing"
s It seemed with the spoken though
! absolute assurance Of her power cam
to her. Duane realized instantly tina
I he was in the arms Of a strungr
: woma than she who had pleaded will
him that fatal day.
r "Well-we1l be married and lcav
4 Texas" she said, softly, with the re,
Q blood rising rich and dark in he
cheeks.
Fray!
n Eyes we will, though you're laggar
t in asking me, sir"
II But, dcar-suppoSc," he reptile,
huskily, Suppose there might bel
childrcn-a boy. 4 boy with hi
fathers blood :"
r Il pray God there will be. | d
not fear what you fear. But even so
n he'll be half my blood"
!. Duane felt the storm rise and brcn
h in him. And his terror was that {
joy quelling fear. The shining glor
1t OF love In this woman's eyes made hi
;! weak MS Il child. How could 81
y love him-how could she so hravcI
face n future with him? Yet she he
Is him In her arms, twining her han,
" round his neck, and pressing clio,
* To him. Her faith aud love asd hcnur
n these she meant to throw betwe,
n him and all that terrible past. Tn,
he We're her power, and she meant
lp use them oil. lie dared not think
ne accepting her sacrifice.
to But Ray you dear. noble girl
Of I'm moor. | have nothing. And L
n cripple"
SC "Oh, you'll he well some day" 81
replied. And listen. have none
lie My mother left me well of. All 81
ar had was her fathers Do you und,
re stand2 Wen take Uncle Jim al
ut your mother Wen 90 Ia LOulSInnn