The North Platte semi-weekly tribune. (North Platte, Neb.) 1895-1922, October 31, 1916, Image 6

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    THE 8EMNWEEKLY TRIBUNE, NORTH PLATTE, NEBRA8KA.
THE LONE STAR RANGER
A Thrilling Texas Border Story
By ZANE GREY
8YN0P8I8.
The time of tht story: about VOL The
fclace: The Texas cow country. The chief
character: Buckley Dunne, a youn? man
who ban Hkherlted a lust to kill, which he
uppreoes. In self-defense he snoots dead
a, dru-aksn bully and Is forced to flee to
ill wild country where ho Joins Bland's
outlaw band. ISuchre, an amiable rascal,
(ells him about Jennie, a younir girl who
had been abducted and sold to Dland for a
eaA fate. They determine to rescue the
ain and restore her to civilization, Eu
chre, has Just reconnottered, and Is re
poftlnc the outlook to Buck, Kuchro Is
killed. Suck kills Bland and Is dnnirer
ouily wounded by Mrs. Bland, but en
capes with Jennie. Jennie Is abducted.
Buck never sees her acaln, but kills her
abductor.
Have you ever deliberately
taken a chance where tho oddo
were three to one that you
would be killed? If you saw
your child fall Into deep water,
It Is likely that you would Im
mediately plunge In and try to
aavo him without reasoning tho
chances against your safety.
Suppoeo that your wife or sis
ter were held captive In a house
by an armed maniac who Intend
ed to kill any would-be rescuer:
would you go and try to pacify
that maniac? Read this Install
ment. See what desperate
chances Buck Duane took to
prove his Innocence of a foul
crime.
CHAPTER XII Continued.
Duane has Just escape.. Into the un
sterbrush from a posse lntnt on lynch
ing hlm.J
Tho Bio Grando and Its tributaries
for tho most of their length In Texas
ran between wide, low, flat lauds cov
ered by a dense growth of willow.
Cottonwood, mcsqultc, prickly pear,
and other growths mingled with tho
willow, and altogether they made a
matted, tangled copse, a thicket that
an inexperienced man would bavo
considered Impenetrable.
The depths of this brake Duano had
penetrated was a silent, dreamy,
trango place. In tho middle of tho
day tho light was weird and dim.
When a brcczo fluttered tho foliage,
then slender shafts and spears of sun
hlno pierced tho green mantle and
danced Uko gold on tho ground.
Duane had always felt tho strange
Bess of this kind of place, and like
wise he had felt n protecting, harbor
ing stnethlng which always Bccmcd to
Mm to be tho sympathy of tho bruko
Cor a hunted creature Any unwound
M creature, strong and resourceful,
was safo when ho had glided under
the low, rustling green roof of this
wild covert.
Duano wanted to cross tho river
K that was possible, and, keeping In
the brake, work his way upstream till
he had reached country moro hospit
able, no pushed on. Ills left arm
kad to be favored, as ho could scarcely
move it Using his right to spreud
Che willows, ho slipped sideways be
tween them and made fast time,
finally after a toilsome penetration
still denser brush ho broke through
to the bank- & the river.
He faced n wide, shallow, muddy
stream with brakes on tho opposite
bank extending like a green and yellow
Lifted Enough Water to Quench His
TWrst.
wall. Duano perceived at a glance
tho futility of his Jrylng to cross ut
this point Everywhere the sluggish
water laved quicksand bars. Before
waving the bank ho tied his hat upon
pole and lifted enough water to
quench his thirst. Then 'ho worked
Ms way buck to whera thinner growtli
made advancement easier, and kept on
vpetrcatu till the shadows were so
sleep He could not see. Feeling around
r a place- big enough to stretch out
Mt, he lay down. For tho time being
e was as sate there as he would havo
fceeu beyond in the Him Ilock. lie. was
tired, though Hot exhausted, and in
ptte of the throeMag pain in hla arm
lie dropped at oace Into sleep.
l
: ill!
CHArTER XIII.
IIow long Duano was traveling out
of that region ho never knew. But ho
reached familiar country and found a
rancher who had before befriended
him. Hero his arm was attended to;
ho had food and sleep ; and In a couplo
of weeks ho was himself again.
When tho time enmo for Duano to
rido away on his endless trail his
friend reluctantly imparted tho in
formation that soino thirty miles south,
nenr tho village of Shirley, thcro was
posted at a certain cross-road a rc
wurd for Buck Duano dcud or alive.
Duano had heard of such notices, but
ho had never seen one. Ills friend's
rcluctnnco and refusal to stato for
what particular deed this roward was
offered roused Duane's curiosity.
Abruptly ho decided to rldo over there
and And nut who wanted him dead or
ulivc, and why.
Toward afternoon, from tho top of
a long hill, Dunno saw tho green Acids
nnd trees and shining roofs of a town
ho considered must bo Shirley. And ut
tho bottom of tho hill ho camo upon
an Intersecting rond. Thcro was a
placard nailed on tho cross-road sign
post. Duano drew rein near It and
leaned closo to read tho faded print
"51,000 BEWABD FOB BUCK
DUANE DEAD OB ALIVE." Peering
closer to read tho finer, moro faded
print, Duano learned that ho was want
ed for tho murder of. Mrs. Jeff, Aiken
at her ranch nenr Shirley. Tho month
September was named, but tho data
was Illegible. Tho reward was offered
by tho woman's husband, whoso name
appeared with that of a sheriffs at
tho bottom of tho placard,
Duano read tho thing twice. When
he straightened ho was sick with tho
horror of his fate, wild with passion
at those misguided fools who could
bcllevo that ho had harmed a woman.
A dark, passlonato fury possessed
him. It shook him like a storm shakes
tho oak. When It passed, leaving him
cold, with clouded brow and piercing
eye, him mind was set Spurring his
horse, ho rodo straight toward tho
village.
Shirley appeared to bo a large, pre
tentious country town. A branch of
some railroad terminated there. Tho
main street was wldo, bordered by
trees and commodious houses, and
many of tho stores wero. of brick. A
largo plaza shaded by giant cotton
wood occupied a central location.
Duano pulled his running horso and
halted him, plunging and snorting, be
fore a group of Idlo men who lounged
on benches in tho shado of a spread
ing cottonwood. How many times had
Dunno seen Just that kind of lazy
shirt-sleeved Texas group I Not often,
howover, had ho soon such placid,
lolling, good-natured men change their
expression, their attitude bo swiftly.
His advent apparently was momentous.
They evidently took him for an un
usunl visitor, So far as Duano could
felt, not ono of them recognized him,
had a hint of his idcutlty.
IIo slid off his horso and throw tho
bridle,
"I'm Buck Duano," ho said, "I saw
that placard out thcro on a sign-post.
It's a damn Hoi Somebody find this
man Jeff Aiken. I want to seo him."
His announcement was taken in nb-
soluto silence. That was tho only
effect ho noted, for ho, nvoldcd looking
nt theso villagers. Tho reason was
simple enough: Duano felt himself
ovorcouio with emotion. There wero
tears in his eyes, no sat down on a
bench, put his elbows on his knees
nnd his hnnds to his face. For once
ho hud absolutely no concern for hla
fate. This ignominy was tho last
straw.
Presently, however, ho became
awaro of Bomo kind of commotion
umong thoso villagers. Ho heard
whispering, low, hoarso voices, then
tho shulllo of rapid feet moving away.
All at onco a violent hand Jerked his
gun from its holster. When Duano
roso a gaunt man, livid of face, slink-
Ing liko a leaf, confronted him wltn
his own gun.
"Hands up, thnr, you Buck Duano 1"
ho roared, waving tho gun.
That appeared to bo thd cuo for
pandemonium to break loose. Several
men lay hold of his arms und pinioned
them behind his back. Bcslstanco wns
useless even If Dunno had had tho
spirit Ono of them fetched his
halter from his saddle, and with this
they bound him helpless.
People woro running now from tho
street, tho stores, tho houses. Old
men, cowboys, clerks, boys, ranchers
camo on the trot Tho crowd grew.
Tho increasing clamor began to at
tract women us well as men. A group
of girls ran up, then hung back in
fright and pity.
Tho prcsonco of cowboys mado a
difference. Thoy split up tho crowd
got to Duane, and lay hold of him
with rough, businesslike hands. Ono
of them Uftod his fists and roared at
tho frenzied mob to fall back, to stop
tho racket no heat them back Into a
circle; but it wns some little tlmo bo-
foro tho hubbub quieted down so a
volco could bo heard.
" shut up, will you-alU" ho was
yelling, "Qlvo us a chance to hear
somothln'. Easy now bono. Thcro
ain't nobody goln to bo hart Thet's
right; everybody quiet now. Let's see
what's come off."
Tills cowboy, evidently one of
authority, or at least esa of strong
personality, turned to the gaunt man,
who still waved Duano s gun.
"Abe, put tho gun down," ho said.
"It might go off. Here, give it to me.
Now, what's wrong? Who's this roped
gent, an' what's he done?"
The gaunt fellow, who appeared now
about to collapse, lifted a shaking
hand nnd pointed.
Thet thnr feller he's Buck
Duane 1" he panted.
An angry murmur ran through tho
surrounding crowd.
"Tho rope I Tho ropoi Throw it
over a branch 1 String him up I" cried
un excited villager.
"Abe, how do you know this fellow
Is Buck Duano?" tho cowboy asked,
sharply.
"Why ho said so," replied tho man
called Abe.
"Whntl" camo tho exclamation, In
credulously.
'It's a tarnal fact" panted Abe,
waving his hand importantly. Ho
was nn old man and nppeared to be
carried away with tho significance of
hlh deed. "IIo liko to rid' his hoss
right over us-all. Then ho Jumped ofT,
says he wns Buck Duane, an' ho want
ed to seo Jeff Aiken bad."
lids speech caused a second com
motion as noisy though not so enduring
as tno first When tho cowboy, assist
ed by a couplo of his mates, had re
stored order again, somcono had
slipped tho noose-end of Dunne's ropo
over hla head.
"Up with him I" screeched a wild-
eyed youth.
The mob Burgcd closer was shoved
back by tho cowboys.
"Abe, if he's Buck Duane how'n hell
did you get hod of his gun?" bluntly
queried tho cowboy.
"Why ho set down" thar an' ho
kind of hid his face on his hand. An'
"How'n Hell Did You- Get His Gun?"
I grabbed his gun an' got tho drop on
him."
What tho cowboy thought of this
was expressed in n laugh. His mates
likewise grinned broadly. Then tho
leader turned to Duano.
"Stranger,; I reckon you'd better
speak up for yourself," ho said.
That stilled tho crowd as no com-
mnnd had done. "I'm Buck Duane,
till right," said Duano, quietly. "It was
tins way "
Tho big cowboy seemed to vibrato
with a shock, All tho ruddy warmth
left his fuco; his Jaw began to bulge;
tho corded veins In his neck stood out
In knots. In an Instant he had a hard,
stern, strungo loots. Ho shot out a
powerful hand that fastened in the
front of Duane's blouse.
"Somothln' queer hero. But If
you'ro Dunno you'ro suro lu bad. Any
fool ought to know that You mean
it, then?"
"I'm Dunno; yes. But I won't stand
for tho blame of things I never did.
That's why I'm hero. I saw that pla
card out thcro offering tho roward.
Until now I nover was within half a
day's rldo of this town. I'm blnmed
for what I nover did. J. rode In hero,
told who I was, asked somebody to
send for Jeff Aiken."
"An then you Bet down an' let this
old guy throw your own gun on you?"
queried tho cowboy In amazement
"I guess that's It," replied Duane.
"Well, it's powerful strange, If you'ro
really Buck Duano what do you wan,t
to seo Aiken for?"
"I wanted to faco him, to tell him I
never harmed his wife,"
"SuppoBO wo send for Aiken an' ho
hears you an' doesn't bcllevo you;
what then?"
"If ho won't believe mo why, then
my caso's so bad rd be. hotter on
death"
A momentary silence was broken by
Slbcrt
"If this isn't a queer dealt Boys,
reckon wo'd bettor send for Jeff."
"Somebody wcut for him. Ho'U bo
comln' soon," replied a man.
Duane stood a head taller than that
clrclo of curious faces. IIo gazed out
above and beyond them, It wasMn this
way that he chanced to seo a numbor
of women on tho outskirts of the
crowd, Some were old. with hard
faces, liko the mon. Bomo were young
and comely, and most of these seemed
agitated by excitement or distress.
They cast fearful, pitying glances up
on Duano as ho stood thcro with that
nooso around his neck. Women wero
more human than men, Duano thought
He met eyes that dilated, seemed
fascinated at his gaze, but wero not
nvertcd. It was the old women who
wero voluble, loud in expression of
their feelings.
"Thnr comes Jeff Aiken now," called
a man, loudly.
The crowd shifted and trampled In
eagerness.
Duano saw two men coming fast,
one of whom, In tho lead, was of stal
wart build. Ho had a gun In his hand,
and his manner was that of fierce en
ergy. Tho cowboy Slbcrt thrust open tho
Jostling clrclo of men.
"Hold on, Jeff," ho called, nnd he
blocked the man with tho gun. He
spoke so low Duano could not hear
what ho said, and his form hid Aiken's
face. At that Juncture tho crowd
spread out, closed in, and Aiken and
Slbcrt wero caught in tho circle. There
was a pushing forward, a pressing of
mnny bodies, hoarso cries and flinging
hnnds again tho lnsnno tumult was
about to break out tho demand for
an outlnw's blood, tha cnll for i. wild
Justlco executed a thousand times bo
fore on Texas' bloody soli.
Slbcrt bellowed at tho dark en
croaching mass. Tho cowboys with
him beat and cuffed in vain.
"Jeff, will you listen?" broke In Sl
bcrt hurriedly, his hands on tho other
man's arm.
Aiken nodded coolly. Duane, who
had seen many men In perfect control
of themselves undr circumstances Uko
these, recognizee o spirit that domi
nated Aiken. " j was white, cold,
passionless. There were lines o bitter
grief deep round his Hps. If Duano
ever felt tho meaning of death ho felt
It then.
"Sure this 's your game, Aiken,"
said Slbert "But hea: mo a minute.
I, reckon you'd better hold on till you
hear what he has to say."
Then for tho first tlmo the drawn
faced, hungry-eyed giant turned his
gozo upon Duane. Ho had intelligence
which wns not yet subservient to pas
sion. Moreover, he seemed the kind
of man Duano would caro to havo
Judge him in a critical moment like
this.
"Llston," said Duane, gravely, with
his eyes steady on Aiken's, "I'm Buck
Duane. I never lied to any man In my
life. I was forced into outlawry. I've
never had a chance to leavo tho
country. Tvo killed men to savo my
own life. I rodo thirty miles to-day
deliberately to seo what this reward
was, who mado It, what for. When I
read the placard I went sick to tho
bottom of my soul. So I rodo in hero
to And you to tell you this : I never
saw Shirley before to-day. It was Im
possible for me to have killed your
wife. Last September I was two
hundred miles north of hero on tho
upper Nueces. I can prove that. Men
who know mo will tell you I couldn't
murder a woman. I haven't any Idea
why (such n deed should be laid at
my hands. It's Just that wild border
gossip. And seo here, Aiken. You un
derstand I'm a miserable man. I'm
about broken, I guess. I don't caro
any moro for life, for anything. "It
you can't look mo in .tho eyes, man to
man, and believe what I say why, by
God I you can kill mo 1"
Aiken heaved a great breath.
"Buck Duane, whether I'm im
pressed or not by what you say need
n't matter. You'vo had accusers,
Justly or unjustly, as will soon nppcar.
Tho thing is wo can prove you in
nocent or guilty. My girl Lucy saw
my wlfo's assailant"
He motioned for tho crowd of men
to open up.
"Somebody you. Slbert go for
Lucy. That '11 settle this thing."
Duane heard as a man in an ugly
dream. The faces around him, tho
hum of voices, all seemed far off. His
life hung by tho merest thread. Yet
ho did not think of thnt so touch as
of tho brand of a woman-murderer
which might bo soon scaled upon
him by a frightened, Imaginative child.
ThJ crowd trooped apart and closed
again. Dunno caught a blurred Imago
of a slight girl cUngtng to Slbert's
hand, no could not seo distinctly.
Aiken lifted the child, whispered Booth-
lngly to her not to bo afraid. Then
ho fetched her closer to Duane.
"Lucy, tell me. Did you over seo
this man beforo?" asked Aiken, huskily
nnd low. "Is ho tho one who camo
in tne houso that day struck you
down and dragged mama ?"
Aiken's volco failed.
1 A lightning flash seemed to clear
Duano's blurred sight Ho saw a
pale, Bad faco and violent eyes fixed
In gloom and horror upon his. No
horrlblo moment in Dunno's llfo over
equaled this ono of silence of sus
pense.
"It ain't him 1" cried tho child.
Then Slbcrt was flinging tho nooso
off Duano's neck and unwinding tno
bonds round his arms. Tho spellbound
crowd awoko to hoarso exclamations
"See there, my locoed gents, how
easy you'd hang tho wrong man.
burst out tho cowboy, as ho mado the
rope-end hiss. "You-nll are a lot of
wlso rangers. Haw I hawl"
Ho freed Duano and thrust tho bono-
handled gun back in Duano's holster.
"You Abe, there. Beckon you pulled
a stunt I But don't try tho Uko again
And, men, I'll gamble there's a hell of
a lot of bad work Buck Duano's named
for which all he never done Clear
away there Where's his hoss? Duane,
tho road s open out or snirioy."
Slbert swept tho gaping watchers
asldo and pressed Dunne toward tho
horse, which another cowboy held.
Mechanically Duane mounted, felt a
lift as ho went up. Then tho cowboy's
hard faco softened in a smllo.
"I reckon It ain't uncivil of mo to
say lilt mat rou.a quieter- no buiu,
frankly.
He led tho horso out of the crowd.
Aiken Joined him, nnd between them
they escorted Duane across the plaza.
Tho crowd appeared Irresistibly drawn
to follow.
Aiken paused with his big hand on
Duano's knee. In It, unconsciously
probably, he still held tho gun.
"Duane, a word with you," he Bald.
"I believe you're not so black as you'vo
, "It Ain't Him!"
been painted. I wish there was tlmo
to say more. Tell mo this, anyway.
Do you know tho Banger Captain Mac
Nelly?" "I do not" replied Duane, in sur
prise.
"I met him only a week ago over in
Fairfield," went on Aiken, hurriedly.
"Ho declared you never killed my wife.
Fdldn't bcllevo him argued with him.
We almost had hard words over it
Now I'm sorry. Tho last thing ho
said was: 'If you ever seo Duano
don't kill him. Send him into my
caiun nfter dark!' He meant some
thing strange. What I can't say.
But ho was right, and I was wrong.
If Lucy had batted nn eyo I'd havo
killed you. Still, I wouldn't advlso you
to hunt up MacNelly's camp. Hes
clever. Maybe ho believes there's no
trenchery in his now ideas of ranger
tactics. I tell you for nil it's worth.
Good-by. Mny God help you further
as ho did this dayl"
Duane said good-by and touched tho
horso with his spurs.
"So long, Buck 1" called Slbert, wltn
that frank smllo breaking warm over
Ills brown faco: and ho held his
sombrero high.
CHAPTER XIV.
When Duano reached the crossing
of thp roads tho name Fairfield on
tho sign-post seemed to bo tho thing
thnt tipped tho oscillating balance of
decision In favor of thnt direction. If
he had been driven to hunt up Jeff
Aiken, now ho was called to find this
unknown ranger captain. In Duane's
stato of mind clear reasoning, com
mon sense, or keenness were out of
tho question. Ho went because he felt
he was compelled.
Dusk had fallen when ho rodo Into
a town which inquiry discovered to
be Fairfield.
There did not appear to bo any
camp on tho outskirts of tho town
But as Duano sat his horse, peering
around and undecided what further
move to make, ho caught tho glint of
flickering lights through tho darkness.
Heading toward them ho saw tho mov
ing forms of men and heard horses
He advanced naturally, expecting uny
moment to bo halted.
"Who goes there?" camo tho sharp
call out 3f the gloom.
Duano pulled his horso. Tho gloom
was Impenetrable.
"One man alone," replied Duane.
"What do you want?"
"I'm trying to find tho ranger camp."
"You'vo struck It Whats your
errand?"
"I want to seo Captain MacNelly."
"Get down and advance. Slow.
Don't movo your hands. It's dark,
but I can see."
Duane dismounted, and, leading his
horse, slowly advanced a few paces
Ho saw a dully bright object a gun
beforo ho discovered the man who
held It A few moro steps showed a
dark figure blocking the trail. Hero
Duane halted.
"Here, ranger, unders .nd this. My
visit is pencefal friendly If you'll lot
It be. Mind, I wns asked to como
here after dark."
Duane's clear, penetrating volco
carried far. Tho listening;, rangers at
tho enrapffiro heard what ho said.
"Bo, Pickens I Tell that fellow to
wait," replied an nut) rltatlve volco.
Then a slim figure uetached itself
from tho dark, moving group at tho
camp-fire and hurried out.
"Bettor bo foxy, Cap," shouted
ranger, In Warning.
"Shut up all of yon," was tho re
ply.
This officer, obviously Captain Mac-
Nelly, soon Joined tho two rangers
who wero confronting Dunne. Ho hnd
no fear. Ho strodo straight up to
Duane.
"I'm MacNelly," ho Bald; "If you'ro
my roan, don't mention your name
yet"
All this seemed s trango to Duane. la
keeping with much that had hnppcnecT
lately. ,
"I met Jeff Aiken to-day," Bald1
Duane. "IIo Bent mo "
"You've met Aiken I" cxclalmodj
MacNelly, sharp, eager, low. "By alll
that's bully 1" Then ho appeared to
catch himself, to grow restrained.
"Men, fall back, leave ns alono sV
moment"
The rangers slowly withdrew.
"Buck Duano I It's you?"- her
whispered, eagerly.
"Yes."
"B! I give you my word you'll not
be arrested you'll bo treated fairly-
will you como Into camp, and consult'
with mo?"
"Certainly."
"Duane, I'm sure glnd to meet yon,"
went on MacNelly; and he extended
his hand.
Amazed and touched, scarcely realis
ing tills actuality, Duano gave his hand:
and felt an unmistakable grip of
warmth.
"It doesn't seem natural, Captain
MacNelly, but I bellevo I'm glad to
meet you," said Duano, soberly.
"You will be. Now we'll go back to
camp. Keep your Identity mum for tne
present"
He led Duane in tho direction of tho
camp-fire.
"Pickens, go bnck on duty," ho
ordered, "and, Beeson, you look after
this horse."
When Duano got beyond tho lino
of mcsqultc, which had hid a good
view of tho camp site, he saw a group
of perhaps fifteen rangers Bitting
around the fires, near a long, low shed
where horses wero feeding, and a1
small adobo houso at ono side.
"We've Just had grub, but Til seo you
get some. Then we'll talk," Bald
MacNelly. "I've taken up temporary.
quarters here. Havo a rustler Job on
hand. Now, when you'vo eaten, com
right into tho houso."
Duano was hungry, but ho hurried
through tho nmplo supper that was
set before him, urged on by curiosity,
and astonishment Whllo eating he
had tymt keen eyes around him. After
a first quiet scrutiny the rangers ap
parently paid no moro attention to
him. They were all veterans In serv
ice Duano saw that and rugged.
powerful men of Iron constitution.
Despite a general conversation oC
campflro nature, Duano was not de
ceived about the fact that his advent
had been nn unusual and striking ono,
which had caused an undercurrent ofi
conjecture and even consternation
among them. Theso rangers wero tool
well trained to nppcar openly curious;
about their captain's guest As la
was, Duano felt a suspense that mustJ
havo been duo to a hint of his
Identity.
Ho was not long In presenting him
self at tho door of the house.
"Como In and have n chair," said)
MacNelly, motioning for tho ono other
occupant of the room to rise. "Leave
us, Busscll, and closo tho door. I'll!
be through theso reports right off."
MacNelly sat at a table upon which,'
was a lamp and various papera. Seen
In tho light ho was a fine-looking,,.
soldierly man of about forty yeare,;
dark-haired and dark-eyed, with rti
bronzed face, shrewd, stern, strong, yot
not wanting In kindliness. Ho scanned!
hastily over some papers, fussed with)
them, nnd finally put them in enveH
lopes. Settling back in his chair, he!
faced Duane, making a vain attempt!
tc hide what must have been the txaA
filmcnt of a long-nourished curiosity.!
"Duane, I've been hoping for this!
for two years," ho began.
Duano smiled a little a smile that!
felt strange on his face. Ho had never
"Come in and Have a Chair."
been much of a talker. And speechii
hero seemed moro than ordinarily dlffi-i
cult
MacNelly must havo felt that
Ho looked long and earnestly at)
Duane, nnd his quick, nervous manner
changed to gravo thoughtfulneas.
"Ever hear from home slnco yoal
left WellBton?" he asked, abruptly.
"No," replied Duane, sadly. !
"That's tough. I'm glad to bo abloi
to tell you that up to Just lately youd
mother, sister, uncle all your folks,)
I believe wero well. I've kept posted.)
But haven't heard lately."
-srr
wi
What do you thing that Cap
tain MacNelly has In store for
Duane? Will Duane ever con
sent to go to prison?
(TO BE CONTINUED.)