The Meeker herald., 1919-04-05
The Danger
Zone
o0
Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper Union
By Florence Lillian H.ndesson

ieir / never VIII.
Fear! Sorry" scorned Levi Blair.
with dark scowl. "It's well enough
to he polite, but I'd speak the truth
II were you. There's someone else,
That's what's the trouble, and I'd like
to run across him. And have n dim
idea who II Is. He's keeping close,
and he'd better. for he's wanted. md
II he's caught the crowd will surely
settle him."
You have said quite enough" spoke
Nance Duryea with flashing eyes.
Don't you dare to come here any
more" Slam! And Levi Blair found
the closed door between himself md
the object OF his love. He shook his
fist mt an imaginary rival and went
his way.
The Duryea house was connected by
n covered passagewny with tile little
one-story and loft workshop where
John Duryca made boxes. He had
originally been cooper, but there was
no demand for barrels or kegs In the
district since the moonshiners had
been driven into exile. At Mayville.
twenty miles away, however, small
shoe factory had been started. Labor
was cheap and there was local tan
merry. and the shoe people had given
Duryea n permanent and quite profit
nble contract to supply them with ship
ping cases.
The value OF the contract and the
necessity of business expansion had
about Influenced Mr.. Duryea to remove
to Mayvilie. and Nance hailed the pros
pect with delight There was nothing
ut Crofton to attract young girl. The
men were rough and unconth. the won-
en- led humdrum. slavelIke life and
the town and the district was domlnat-
ed by n fierce. law-defying group. flu
milinrly known ms 1.-THE Killers"
They were called thnt because Mt the
appearance of anyone in collision with
the law the moonshlner up among the
mountain ranges welcomed the refu-
gee to shelter and protection. The
two elements were in friendly com
munication and stood by each other
In signal way when occasion re-
CURED.
The advent of stranger was always
hailed with suspicion. The rough ele-
| mcnt looked for nm excise officer or
government spy invading their terri
tory in every newcomer. and when
Bert KnOwlton. Il young lawyer from
q distant city appeared In the Interest
OF client relating to a large tract Of
conf land. he was advised BY the local
head of justice as follows:
"Get through your job quick ms you
can and stay In nights"
"Why? What's the particular dan
CERT" inquired the self-possessed
young man rather coolly.
you're hitting the gang, that's the
particular danger" responded the tav-
ern keeper. "As you know. the squat
ter rights OF the tract In litigation rest
with the WIdener family and they're
strong and powerful with the folks
| herenbOmts. They'll block you. I warn
you. and if'you stick too close and too
long, Ii will he load of buckshot some
dark night"
81 shall try to take care of myself"
said Knowlton with his habitual com
posure. and went on his way, unde-
tered and unafraid.
By the merest chance once or twice
he had met Nance Duryea. The first
time was when he overlook her In n
sudden ralnstOrm, and his umbrella,
ms he escorted her home. afforded her
timely shelter. She was duly Impress
ed with this neatly groomed, clear-eyed
young man, whose courtesy and ntten-
tons made her remember him. There
had been half understanding between
a. tlat y,o TO hnr ba
evening when Levi Blair made his plea
and threat. but Knowlton did not come.
much to the disappointment OF Nance.
1t was the next afternoon Just about
dusk when loud voices I'D a general
commotion in front of the house called
her to the front door. She was start
led to observe her father with set face
and wrath-filled eyes confronting half
dozen rough-looking men, one Of
whom was holding bloodhound In
leash, Levi Blair was the leader.
SEARCH my house." John Duryea
was shouting, and his honest face fair
ly bristlcd with Indignation and resent
ment. "Why. I'll wing the first dnst-
ard who crosses the threshold"
That's all right John Duryea,"
spoke Blair, but our dog has traced
the blood marks In this direction. We
are nfter that spy, Knowlton, and we're
going to get him.. He wounded two
Of our men and he escaped, but with
q good dose of buckshot in one leg"
you coward" cried Nance, stepping
into plain view. sHow dare you insin-
uate that MIR. Knowlton came here.
Ny 70 thor rnrpply knows him hv Sipht
and have not seen him for two days.
Double craven you nre, to hunt down
a stranger who comes here among us
on legitimate business"
"You can go your way" spoke Mr..
Duryea. II have always been neutral
In your affairs. attending strictly to