The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-01-12

Tell me now. You were spying on
my fatherf"
Briefly Duane told her what had
happened before he entered her room,
not emitting a terse word as to the
character of the men he had watched.
MY Godl So it's that? I knew
something was terribly wrong here
with him-with the place-the people.
And right off I hated Floyd Lawson.
oh, 1t III kill me if-if- It's so much
worse han / dreamed. What shall
/ dor
The sound Of soft steps somewhere
near distracted Duane's attention,
reminded him of her peril, and now,
what counted more with him, made
clear the probability of being discover
ed in her room.
"T1 have to get out of here"
whispered Duane.
"Wait," she replied. Didn't you
say they were hunting for your"
"They sure are" he returned, grim
ly.
"Oh, then you mustn't go. They
might shoot you. Stay. If we hear
them you can hide. I'll turn out the
light. I'll meet them at the door.
You can trust me. Wait till all quiets
down, If we have to wait till morn
ing. Then you can slip out"
II oughtn't to stay. ] don't van
to- won't" Duane replied, perplex-
ed and stubborn.
But you must. It's the only safe
way. They won't come here"
Suppose they should? It's an even
chance Longstreth I'll search every
room and corner in this old house. If
they found me here 1 couldn't start
a fight. You might be hurt. Then
the fact of my being here"
Duane did not finish what he meant,
but instead made a step toward the
door. White Of face and dark of eye,
she took hold Of him to detain him.
She vas as strong and supple as a
panther. But she need not have been
either r~esolute or strong, for the clasp
of her hand was enough to make
Duane weak.
up yet, Ray?" came Longstreth's
&i0dl NOl1Cg ~ 6lIdlICds W =
be natural.
mo. I'm In bed reading. Good
night" instantly replied Miss Long
streth, so calmly and naturally that
Duane marvefed at the difference be-
tween man and woman. Then she
motioned for Duane TO hide in the
closet. He slipped in, but the door
wouId NOT eIoca alfo0athar
"Are you alone?" went on Long
streth's penetrating voice.
eyes," she replied. Ruth went to
bed"
The door swung inward with a swift
scrape and jar. Longstreth half en-
tered, haggard, fiaming-eyed. Behind
him Duane saw Lawson, and indis-
tinctly another man.
Longstreth barred Lawson from en-
tering, which action showed control as
well as distrust. He wanted to see
into the room. When he had glanced
around he went out and closed the
door.
Then what seemed a long interval
ensued. The house grew silent once
more. Duane could not see Miss
Longstreth, but he heard her quick
breathing.
Presently he pushed open the closet
door and stepped forth. Miss Long
streth had her head lowered upon her
arms and appeared to be In distress.
At his touch she raised a Quivering
face.
II think I can go n~ow-safely," he
whispered.
"Go then. II you must. but you may
stay till you're safe" she replied.
II couldn't thank you enough.
It's been hard on me-this finding
out-and you his daughter. / feel
strange. I don't understand myself
well. But l want you to know-if l
were not an outlaw-a ranger-rd lay
my life at your feet"
"Ohl You have seer $3.50 little
Of me-" she faltered.
"All the same it's true. And that
makes me feel more the trouble my
coming caused you"
"You will not fight my father7"
"Not IL / can help it. I'm trying
to get out of the way"
"But you spied upon him."
II am a ranger, Miss Longstreth."
"And oh / am a rustler's daughter"
she cried. That's so much more ter
rible han I'd suspected. 1t was
tricky cattle deals I imagined he was
engaged In. But only tonight / had
strong. suspicious aroused"
"How? Tell me-"
IT overheard Floyd say that men
were coming tonight to arrange a
meeting for my father at a rendezvous
near Ord. Father did not want to go.
Floyd tainted him with a name"
"What name?" queried Duane.
cit was Cheseldine."
"Cheseldinel My Godi Miss Long