The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-01-24
Copyright by Harper and Brothers
Continued from Page Three


Pogg1n IlKewisS 49,
fear of him. The dark tide over
whelmed Duane, and when he left
the room he was fierce, i~mplacable,
steeled to any outcome, quick like a
panther, somber as death, in the thrall
of this strange passion.
There was no excitement In the
street. He crossed to the bank corner.
A clock inside pointed the hour of
two. He went through the door into
the v~estibule, looked around, passed
up the steps into the bank. The clerks
were at their desks, apparently busy.
But they showed nervousness. The
cashier paled at sight of Duane. There
were men-the rangers-crouching
down behind the low partition. All
the windows had been removed from
the iron grating before the desks.
The safe was closed. There was no
money in sight. A customer came in,
spoke to the cashier, and was told to
come tomorrow.
Duane returned to the door. He
could see far down the street. out
into the country. There he waited,
and minutes were eternities. He saw
no person near him he heard no
sound. He was insulated in his I'M
natural strain.
At a few minutes before half past
two a dark, compact body of horsemen
appeared far down, turning into the
road. They came at a sharp trot-
a group that would have attracted
attention anywhere at any time. They
came a little faster as they entered
town then faster still now they were
four blocks away, now three, now two.
Duane backed down the middle of the
vestibule, up the steps, and halted
in the center of the wide doorway.
There seemed to be a rustling In his
ears through which pierced sharp,
ringing clip-clop of iron hoofs. He
could see only the corner of the street.
But suddenly into that shot lean
limbed dusty bay horses. There was
a Gathering of nervous hoofs pulled
to a halt.
Duane saw the tawny Poggin speak to
his companions. He d%ismounted quickly.
They followed suit. They had the man.
ner of ranchers about to conduct some
business. No guns showed. Poggin
started l~eisurely for the bank door,
quickening step a little. The others,
close together, came behind him.
Blossom Kane had a bag in his left
hand. Jim Fletcher was left at the
curb, and he had already gathered up
the brides.
Poggin entered the vestibule first,
with Kane on n side, Boldt on the
other, a little In the rear.
As he strobe in he saw Duane.
'Hells Fire !" he cried.
Something inside Duane burst, pierre
ing all of him with cold. Was 1t that
fear?
Buck Duanel" echoed Kane.
One instant Poggin looked up and
Duane looked down.
Like a striking jaguar Poggin o
ed. Almost as quickly Duane threw
his arm.
The guns doomed almost together.
Duane felt a blow just before he
pulled trigger. His thoughts came
fast, like the strange dots before his
eyes. His raising gun had loosened
in his hand. Poggin had drawn quick
err! A tearing agony encompassed his
breast. He pulled-pulled-at ran
dom. Thunder of booming shots all
about himl Red flashes, jets of
smoke, shrill yellsl He was sinking.
The end; yes, the end! With fading
sight he saw Kane go down, then
Boldt. But supreme torture, bitterer
Than death, Poggin stood, name like a
lions, back to the wall, bloody-faced,
grand, with his guns spouting redl
All faded. darkened. The thunder
deadened. Duane fell, seemed float
ing. There ii ~drifted-Ray Long
streth's sweet face, white, with dark,
tragic eyes, fading from his sight
+. fading . fading . {.