The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-01-03

erin to arrest somebody. Thet's my
bunch, Longstreth."
Longstreth said something In en-
undertone to Judge Owens, and that
worthy nodded his great bushy head.
"Bo, you're discharged" said Long
streth, bluntly. "Now the rest Of you
clear out of here"
He absolutely ignored the ranger.
That was his rebuff to Duane-his
slap in the face to an interfering
ranger service. If Longstreth was
crooked he certainly had magnificent
nerve Duane almost decided he was
above suspicion. But his noncha-
lance, his air of inality, his authorit-
alive assurance-these to Duane's
keen and practised eyes were in sig
nificant contrast to a certain tense
ness of line about the mouth and q
slow paling of his olive skin.
Then the prisoner, Snecker, with a
cough that broke the spell of silence,
shuffled a couple of steps toward the
door.
"Hold on !" called Duane. The call
halted Snecker. as If 1t had been q
bullet.
"Longstreth, I saw Snecker attack
Laramie" said Duane, his voice still
ringing. "What has the court to say
to that?"
"The court has this to say. West
of the Pecos we'l not aid any ranger
service. We don't want you out here.
Fairdale doesn't need you"
"That's a lie, Longstreth," retorted
Duane. 1--WE letters from Fairdale
citizens all begging for ranger serv-
ice."
Longstreth turned white. The veins
corded at his temples. He appeared
about to burst into rage. He was at
a loss for quick reply.
Floyd Lawson rushed in and I'D to
the table. The blood showed black
and thick in his face; his utterance
was incoherent, his uncomfortable
outbreak of temper seemed out of all
proportion to any cause he should
reasonably have had for anger. Long
streth showed him back with a curse
and a warning glare.
where's your warrant to arrest
Snecker?" shouted Longstreth.
Il don't need warrants to make
arrests. Longstreth, you're ignorant
of the power of Texas Rangers"
You'll come none of your damned
ranger stunts out here. I'll block
you"
That passionate reply of Long
streth's was the signal Duane had
been waiting for. He had helped on
the crisis. He wanted to force Long
streth's hand and show the town his
stand.
Duane backed clear of everybody.
Men! I call on you ALL" cried
Duane, piercingly. 81 call on you to
witness the arrest of a criminal pre-
vented by Longstreth, mayor of Fair
dale. 1t will be recorded in the re-
port to the Adjutant-G General at
Austin. Longstreth, you'll never pre-
vent another arrest"
Longstreth sat white with working
jaw.
"Longstreth," said Duane, in a voice
that carried far and held those who
heard. "Any honest citizen of Fair
dale can now see what's plain. In
the two years you've been mayor
you've never arrested one rustler.
Strange, when Fairdale's a nest for
rustlersl You've never sent a prison.
er to Del Rio, let alone to Austin.
You have no Jail. There have been
nine murders during your office
innumerable street-1ghts and hold-ups.
Not one arrest! There have been law
suits in your court-suits over water
rights, cattle deals, property lines.
Strange how in these lawsuits you or
Lawson or other men close to you
were always involvedl Strange how
1t seems the law was stretched to
favor your interest -
Duane paused in his cold, ringing
speech. In the silence, both outside
and inside the hall, could be heard
the deep breathing of agitated men.
Longstreth vas indeed a study. Yet
did he betray anything but rage at
this interloper.
"Longstreth, here's plain talk for
you and Fairdale," went on Duane.
Il don't accuse you and your court Of
dishonesty. | say strangel Law here
has been a farce. The motive behind
all this laxity isn't plain to me-yet.
handl'
ITO Re COntinuedA