The Lone Star Ranger
A Fine Tale of the Open Country
ByZANE GREY
CHAPTER XXIV Continued.
14
it not, hate, then assuredly great
jtnssion toward Pogirln manifest! It.
nclf In Knell's scornful, flcry address,
In tho shaking hand ho thrust beforo
Poggln's face. In tho cnsulne silent
nounu in nis cars that was not all
mo rusn of tho wind. Something drag
ged nt him.
Apparently ono eldo of his mind was I
nnniieramy fixed, while tho other was
a hurrying conglomeration of flashes!
or tnought, reception of Ronsatlons.
pauso Knclt's panting could bo plainly Ho could not get calmness. By and by.'
Beard. Tho other men npm nn!n. almost fnvnliintnii.r i.
I . ".ivimiuunj, im iiuiiiuu luniur
llllndroil tlnl.lnl.... ...... .
v ..,.iuiUb-DiviiL uTuiuuons. uo i no wns came Tin mi
meant to tnko nnv rlk mhr ., h . c.. Uo hnd tho courage
. , ,lUi. uuuno wormeu nis tanco to that mm. nn.. .
to kill him.
iiv .
nongstrctn, listen," cried Dunne,
swiftly. "Tho game's up. You're
ilone. But think nt nm
Of
way to tho edgo of the shrubbery and
crouched low to watch for his oppor
tunity. Longstreth looked-haggard and thin.
no was in his shlrt-sleovcs, and ho
Ing, had endured tho long hours
made him leap.
" ?8, n fnst tra,n. yet tho rldo
ocvuicu HIOW.
rn
UiU "ot speak to Lomrstreth
a . - . i j nun iuu luaiui . . . i - jwui uuuL'iirnr i i nnn ' .
wuicntui, cauuously edging cither way on. Action seemed to make his state . . wns ln ma shlrt-sleovcs, and ho HI sparo your life I'll try to i hi . B . w u, car changed
w uio won, leaving tho principals and icss oppressive; It cased tho weight " . wmo out w,tn n Run In h's hand, ou rrcedom on ono condition For i I . oeil,nJ 's prisoner.
Hnnna In 4 1. - . I Y) .. 1. 4 1. . I "P)i I a fin In 1.1 Mn . 1. 1 . . .. hn. ..t.. i x1 Uil XUG drift AAr In n r. I .. .. .
, T " OKU- u-ur uy nnu
were palo but composed.
."n1?,.d',lnot sPcnk t0 Longstrcth
"Bum un me train stopped nt Vnl
f uuu,
Ouane ln tho corner of tho room,
upring his nnme, then, you" said
foggin, violently with a curse.
Strangely Knell did not even look
at Uio man ho was about to denounce.
lie leaned toward Poggln, his hands,
his body, hlo long head all somewhat
expressive of what his faco disguised.
"Buck Duanol" ho yelled, suddenly.
Tho name did not mako any differ
ence In Poggln. But Knell's passionate,
twin uttcrnnco carried tho suggestion
uiat uio nnmo ought to bring Poggln
to quick action. It was possible, too,
that Knell's manner, tho Import of his
ucnuncinuon, the meaning bnck of nil
bis passion held Poggln bound moro
than tho surprise. For tho outlaw cer
tainly wns surprised, perhaps stagger
v M at tho Idea that he, Poggln, had
ncen anout to stand sponsor with
rictchcr for n famous outlaw hatcl
ana feared by all outlaws.
Knell waited a long moment, nnd
then his fnco broko Its cold Immobility
In an extraordinary expression of
aevlllsh ,gIeo. no had hounded tho
reat Poggln Into something that gave
ww vicious, monstrous Joy,
"Buck Dunnot Yes," ho broko out,
hotly. "Tho Nueces gunmnnl That
two-shot, nco-of-spades lone-wolf!
Tan an' I wo'vo heard a thousand
times of him talked about him often.
hero ho Is In front of you I Poggln,
foil wero backin Fletcher's now pnrd,
Back Duane. An ho'd fooled yon
bstfe but for me. But I know him.
a I know why ho drifted In hero.
xo uasn a gun on Ohescldlno on you
a mo I Bah! Don't tell mo ho
wasted to join tho gang. You know a
Jtwaaan, for you're ono yourself.
wea c you always want to meet a real
own, not a four-flush? It's tho mad
ww oi uio gunman, an' I know It
wm, Duane faced you called you
wnen i sprung his namo, what
wsgnc you have dono? What would
we boas-anybody hnvo expected of
rogginf ma you throw your gun.
wux, use you nave so often? Nawj
feu froze. An why? Because hero's
a man with tho kind of nervo you'd
we u nave. Because ho's great
ecun' us hero alono. Because you
mnvw iios a wonder with a gun on'
yea' lovo life. Becnuso you an' I an'
ffrery dnmncd man hero has to tnko
ms rront, ench to hlmsolf. If wo all
wew wo u kui him. Suro! But who's
Sin' to lcnd7 Who wns goln' to be
esc? wno was goln' to make him
raw? wot you, Poggln I You lenvo
ac rer a lessor man mo who'vo
Mve to sco you a coward. It comes
ce to every gunman, You'vo mot
yeur match ln Buck Dunne. An', by
wiu, x in giaui jicrea once I show
ru up r
Tbe hoarse, taunting voice failed.
Knelt stepped back from tho comrndo
fce hated. Ho was wet, slinking, hag
tta. but magnificent
"Buck Duano, do you remember
Hardin?" he asked, ln scarcely audlblo
foicc.
"yes," replied Duano, and a flash of
Uwlght.made clear Knell's attitude
"You mot him forced him to draw
-killed him?"
Yea."
"Hardin was the best pard I ever
tad,"
Ills teeth clicked together tight, nnd
Ms Hps set In a thin line.
Tho room grow still. Even brcnthlng
cwftsod. Tho tltno for words hnd
A. In that long moment of siiBpcnso
aeirs oouy gradually stllToned, and
t las tho quivering censed. Ho
rouched. Ills eyes had u soul-plerc-
Dunno watched him. no wnitoii
Wo caught tlio thought tho breaking
3C Kncll'a muBcle-bound rigidity, Then
re orow.
Through tho smoke of his gun ho
iw two red spurts of flnmo. Knoll's
ballets thudded Into tho celling, no
U with a scream llko a wild thing
m agony.
uuane aid not seo Knell die, lie
watched Poggln. And Poggln, llko a
ttrickea and astounded man, looked
owa upon his prostruto comrade.
Fletcher ran at Duano with hnnds
aloft
"lilt the trail, you liar, or you'll
hev to kill mo I" ho yelled.
With hands still up, ho shouldered
and bodied Duano out of tho room.
Duano leaped on his' horse, spurred,
aad plunged away,
But tho farther ho went on tho harder
ic was to continue. Had ho turned his
nncn upon love, happiness, perhaps on
mo icsciry
Thero seemed no uso to tro on far.
thcr until ho was absolutely miro of
himself. Duane received a clear
warning thought that such work as
This ho laid on a tnblo near tho wnll.
Ho wore no belt
Lawson wan red. bloated. hirW.
lipped, nil flery nnd sweaty from drink,
wiougn sooer on tho moment, nnd ho
hnd the expression of a desnernto
In his last stand. It was his last
stand, though ho wns Ignorant of that
"What's your nows? You needn't h
afraid of my feelings," said Lawson.
liny confessed to nn Interest In this
ranger," replied Longstreth.
Duano thought Lawson would rhnkn.
Ho wns thlck-nccked nnywny, and the
rusn or wood rando him tear nt tho
sort collar of his shirt Duane awaited
his chance, patient, cold, all his feel
ings shut in a vise.
ner sake I I've got you nnllniinii ,
proofs. Thero lies Lawson. You'ro
alone. Pvo Morton nnd
Give up. Surrender. Consent to de
mands, nnd I'll sparo you. Maybo I
can persuade MncNclly to let you go
free back to your old country. It's
forltny'ssnke! Her life, perhaps her
nnpplnesfi, can bo saved I Hurry
"mi iuur answer i"
They got off tho car, nnd the girls
followed ns naturally as ordinary
xno station wns a good
deal larger thnn that nt Bradford, nnd
thero was considerable ncUnn nrwi
"Supposo I refuse?" ho queried, with U8,tl0 lncldent to tho arrival of tho
UUI " icrriDio carne.qtnn
"Then I'll kill you In your tracks! L Dui
ju can't movo n hand I Your word - ccs'
You
ur ueuuu urry, Longstreth I Bo n
mnnl For her sukol Quick I An-
omer seconu now I'll kill youl"
uuano's swccnlnc crazo snrliPl
rested unon n mnn who
laminar. This fellow's look, too, was
that of ono who knew Dunne, but wns
wniung ror a sign, n cue. Then Duano,
"But why should your dnughter meet word '" ho snld nn(1 deliberately walk
"All right Buck Dunne, I give my recmlzed him MacNelly, clean-shav-
demanded Lawson,
this ranger?"
harshly.
"She's In lovo with him. nnd hrf in
lovo with her."
Dunno reveled In Lawson'
tlon. The statement mlchf
tho forco of a Juggernaut Wnn
strcth sincere? What was hl c.m
Lawson, flndine his
Bay, cursed tne ranger, then T,nn.
stroth.
"You dnmncd selfish fnnii" .,in.i
Longstreth In bitter scorn. "AH you
think of Is yourself your loss of tho
girl. Think once of me my home
my life I"
Then tho connection
by Longstreth apparently dawned up
on the other. Somehow thmmrh thi.
t. i . .
Kr ner miner and cousin were to bo
betrayed. Duano got that Impression,
though ho could not tell how trim u
was. Certainly Lnwson's Jealousy was
uia paramount emotion,
Duane Saw Red Flashes.
nuuiucu naunting and driving him
lomu never Do enrried out In the mood
under which ho labored. He hung on
to that thought. Several times he j
muwcu up, then stopped, only to go on
uhimi. AX ICnCtU. nn hn mmtntml n
od to tlio chair and fell Into It
Longstreth looked strangely nt the
bloody blot on Dunne's shoulder.
"Thero como the girls I" ho sudden
ly exclnlmed. "Can you help mo
drag Lawson Inside? They musn't see
him." t
Duano was facing down tho porchi
toward tho court and corrals. Miss
Longstreth and Ruth had como, ln
sight wero swiftly approaching, evi
dently nlarmed. Tho two men suc
ceeded In drawing Lawson into tho
nouso ncforo the girls saw him.
"Duano, you'ro not hard hit?" said
Longstreth.
Beckon not" replied Dunne.
"'m sorry. If only you could hnvo
told mo sooner I LnwsonI Always
rvo split over him 1"
Bnt the last time, Longstreth."
Yes, nnd I came near driving you
to kill me, too. Dunne, you talked mo
OUt Of It For nny's sAkft Shn'll his
I'll hnvo her, or nobody else wilt I"
xou never will." returned T.nn.
strcth, stridently. "So help me God
I'd rather see her tho ranger's wlfo
thnn yours I"
"Willie Lawson
low ridge, Fnlrdalo lav lirirhf nn,i Longstreth leaned tnwnni Mm -n f
green before him, not far nway, nnd hnte and menace in his mien.
tllO Sight WAR n onnnlunl... -1 1. I "LniVSnn vn . -r a.
To hell with you 1" burst out Tw. ,n hcro In n minute. . This Ml h hnrd.
son, Incoherently. He wns frenzied. cr tnnn cing a gun."
But I hope It '11 turn
"Hnrd now.
OUt nil 1-lirJlf"
'T)uane, will you do mo n favor?"
ho asked, nnd ho seemed shamefaced.
"Sure."
"Let nay nnd Ruth think Lawson
shot you. Ho's dead. It can't matter.
uunc, mo old side of my life Is
coming bnck. It's been comintr. And.
en. Without mnstnrlm hn
different, younger.
When MncNclly saw that Duano in
tended to greet him, hurried forward
to meet him. A keen light flashed
from his eyes. Ho was glad, eager,
yet suppressing himself, and tho
glances ho sent bnck nnd forth from
Dunno to Longstreth Wero rmpoHnnlnrr
doubtful. Certainly Longstreth did
not look tho part of nn outlaw.
"Duane I Lord, I'm glad to see you,"
was the Captain's greeting. Then nt
closer look Into Dunne's faco his
Warmth fled something he saw there
checked his enthusiasm, or at least Its
utterance.
"MacNelly, shako hands with Chcs
eldinc," snid Duane, low-voiced.
Tho ranger stood dumb, motionless.
But he saw Longstreth's Instant no
tion, nnd awkwnrdly he reached for
tne outstretched hand.
"Any of your men down here?"
queried Dunne, shnrply.
"No. They're up-town."
"Come. MacNelly, you walk with
him. We've Indlnn In tha rnfr Tni
w.w u.bj A. 14
come Denind with them."
iney set off up-town. Longstreth
walked as If he wero with friends on
the wny to dinner. The girls were
mute. MncNclly walked like n mnn
in n trance. There wns not n word
poKcn m four blocks.
iiuBi-uuy ijunne espied n stone
Win.. ... ' VilUtll.. -I .1M.HU 1IU WIlUl X Ulll, B ""Vn.. 0 UlTH COII11HIT. Ana, K..H ll OIUUU
xiiero woro mesqultcs on tho ridge, continued Longstreth. "I bncked you ?d chnngo places with Lawson if I bu,ld'nK on n corner of the broad
and Dunno sought tho slmdo beneath shielded you. You'ro Chcseldinc If 'could I" . styeet There was a big sign, "Ranch-
ji wiih uio nnnn.iimip uriti. i. iuu trum in fniri r Nn it'.,
j...... nun aim no wind, nero Duano ,,uu: yu- ra dono!"
i.i 10 nnvo out his light. Dunne wns
"tterly unlike hlmholfj ho could not
bring tho old self back; ho wns not
uio same man ho nnm imii i.nnn t..
vuum understand why. It wns be
.miHo or ny Longstreth. Temptation
ra. to hnvo her his wlfo I
it was Impossible.
..l.ll .. . ' "'"hlW "US
.-..uiuusiy niiunng. Dunne pictured
n home, no saw himself riding through
tho cotton nnd rico nnd enne, homo to
ft stately old mnnslon, whero long-
nuuiiua Duven mm ivnm
nn,t .. . L. ... . . " "
V,V. ,7u . 100Kca ror "Im and mot
mm with hannv ami hnntitini
mi, . , . - - ............... owiiiWJ.
-vvu inignt more would bo children
Anu somethlni? nnw oonn
founding with its omMi .
.Inn.. 1 . """ W Mil
i , """no's heart Thero would
bo children! Rny their mother! Tho
kind of life a. lonely
' ui unci novir nniii Tin ...
It. l, .. "UYf
i mi, ten it nil.
nut beyond nnd nlmvn nil i.n-
It
CHAPTER XXV.
Duano returned to Fnlrdnlo nnd
rapcd In tho mosquito till tho twenty,
tfclrd of tho month. The fow duya
eemed endless. All ho could think
f was that tlio hour In which ho must
lgrnco Uny Longstreth was slowly
but Inexorably coming. In that wait
lag timo ho learned what lovo was
ed also duty. When tho day at last
fawned he rode like one ponsossed
wn the rough slope, ; .hurling ptoues
ltd crashing through tho bush, with
claims came Cnntnln MnNiiv'.
was then thero was snmnHiin-- nni.i ..,i
muhhko in uunno's soul. For ho knew
whatever happened, of ono tlilnc- hn
was suro ho would hnvo to kill either
Longstreth or Lawson. Longstreth
"mill, no trapped Into nrrcst 5 but Lnw
sou hud no sense, no control, no fear.
Ho would snnrl llko n tin n Hint mul
for his gun, and ho would hnvo to ho
klllod. This, of nil consummations, wns
mo ono to uo calculated upon.
Duano enmo out of it nil Mn- ,i
callous nnd sore In tho most fitting of
10 miuortnKo n dilllcult nnd
deadly enterprise. Ho hnd fallen upon
his old, Btrnnge, futllo dreams, now
Luuureu poignant by reason of lovo.
Ho drove away those dreams. In their
place carao tho Imnges of tho olive
skinned LongstrcUi with his sharp
eyes and tho dark, ovll-faccd Lawson,
und then returned tenfold moro thrill
ing and sinister tho old strnngo pns
slon to meet Poggln.
It was about ono o'clock whm
Dunne rode into Fulrdalo. Tho stroo'ts
for tho most part wero deserted. Ho
went directly to And Morton and dim
mer, no found them nt length, rest
less, somber, anxious, bnt uimwnro of
tho part he had played nt Ord. They
said Longstreth was homo too. It
wns possible that Longstroth had ur
rlvcd homo In Ignorance.
Dunne told them to bo on hand in
towu with their men In Cnso lin tiilnlil
need' them, nnd then with ids teeth
locked ho set off for Longstreth's
ranch.
Duano strode through tho Inmlioq
nnd trees, nnd when noiirlni? m... nnwh
ho heard loud, angry, familiar voices.
Longstreth and Lawson wero quarrel
lug again, now Dunno's lucky star
guided him I He had no plan for nc
tlou but his brain was ooimi t ..
faces
.uieir gray nas.ston.onniori
wore still ns stones.
"Gentlemen I" Dunno cnllcd In for
rcnchlng voice ns ho stepped out.
"You'ro both dono!"
They wheeled to confront Duane.
"Don't movo 1 Not a muscle I Not a
finger!" ho warned.
Longstreth read what Lnwson hud
not tho mind to read, nis faco turned
from gray to nshen.
"What d'ye mean?" yelled Lnwson,
fiercely, sjirllly. It was not ln him to
oooy n command, to seo Impending
death.
All quivering and strung, yet with
perfect control. Dunno rained his loft
hand to turn bnck n lapel of his open
vest Tho silver stnr flashed brightly.
Lnwson howled llko n lnn. WlHi
barbarous nnd insnno fury, with sheer
impotent folly, ho swont n clnwini?
hand for his gun. Dunne's shot broko
his nction.
Before Lnwson oven totterod. hofnr
no loosed tlio gun, Longstreth leaped
Wad you Said thnt. T.nniat..nth
replied Duane. "And sure Lawson
Plugged me. It's our secret"
Just then Ray nnd Ruth entered tho
room. Dunno henrd two low cries, so
different in tone, nnd ho snw two
WhltO fnCPS. Tinv
-' j vuuiu iu Ills oiUU I . .
She ,,ftcd shaking hand to point. at LVS l
mu uiuou upon nis nrenst Whito nnd
mute, sho gazed from thnt to hor
father.
"Papal" cried Ray, wringing her
hnnds.
"Don't give wny," he replied, husk
ily. "Both you girls will need your
nervo. Dunno isn't, badly hurt But
Floyd is is dead. Listen. Lot mo
tell It quick. There's been n fight It
it was Lawson it wns Lnwson's
gun that shot Duane. Dunno let me
off. In fact, Ray, he snved mo. I'm
to divide my property return so far
ns possible what I'vo stolen leave
Texas at onco with Duane, under nr
rcst Ho says maybo ho can got Mnc
Nclly, tho rnngcr cnptnln, to let mo
go. For your suko 1"
Sho stood there, realizing her deliver
er's Bnnk."
"There's tho hotel," snid MacNelly.
Some of my men are there. Wo'vo
scattered around."
mi.
xuuj- crossea tup street, went
mrougii omce nnd lobby, nnd then
uunno nsked MncNeJIy to take them
iu u private room. Without n word
tho Captain comnllod. Whnn
wero nil Inside Dunno closed tho door,
nnd, drawing n deep breath as If of
rener, ne raced them calmly.
U-r
imss longstreth, you nnd Miss
xiiuin try to make yourselves comfort
noio now," he said. "And don't be dis
tressed." Then he tiirnoii in hi ..
fnln Mir t . . ...
mm. aiacneiiy, tnis girl Is the
uuugntcr or uio mnn I've brought to
juu, unu mis ono Is his niece."
mi y-. . .
aiiuu uuane Drielly related Long-
"'a niory, nnu, tnough he did not
sparo tho rustler chief, he was genor-
UU8i
wnen i went nfter Lonirsirnh
concluded Dunne, "It was either to
m mm or oner nim his freedom on
cona tlons. So I cjioso tho latter for
ma uuugiuors suko. Ho has niro,w
behind him, clasped him with left arm, nncc. with tho dnrk and tragic ciory dlsnosed of his property. I believe
iiuiiininir icrKPd tno Liin
from both clutching fingers nnd sheath.
Longstreth protected himself with tho
body of tho dend man. Duano saw
red Hashes, puffs of smoko: ho henrd
quick reports. Something stung his
left iirm. Then n blow llko wind, llcht
of sound yet shocking In Impact,
struck him, staggered him. Tho hot
rend of lend followed tho blow.
Duano's heart seemed to explode, yet
his mind kept cxtrnordinnrllv clenr
ai)d rapid.
Duano heard Loncstrcth work llin
action of Lnwson's cun. no hoard hn
nammer click, fall upon empty shell
of her eyes passing from her father
to Dunne.
"You must rlso nbovo this," said
Duano to her. "I expected this to
ruin you. But your father is nllve.
Ho will llvo It down. I'm suro I enn
promise you he'll bo free. Perhnps
back thero ln Louisiana tho dishonor
will nover bo known. This matter of
lnnd, wnter, n fow stray hend of stock
hnd to bo decided out of court To
protect himself ho bound men to htm.
Ho could not control them. Ho be-
enmo involved with them, nnd so ho
grow Into tlio lender becnuso he wns
tho strongest Whntover ho Is to bo
CHAPTER XXVI.
- "-V w... . r, ' v. M io IU UU
Longstreth hnd used up all tho loads Judged for, I think ho could have been
in wiwsoirs gun. Ho cursed as a man Infinitely worse."
cureeu nt defeat Dunno waited, cool
nnd sure now. Longstreth tried to lift
tlio dend mnn, to edeo him closer to
ward tho table whero his own gun
lay. But considering tho norll of vr.
posing himself, ho found tho tusk be
yond him. Ho bont peering nt Dunno
under Lnwson's arm. which flonnmi
out from his side, Longstreth's eyes
wero Uio eyes of n mnn who meaut
to kill. Thero wns nover nnv mlshitr.
On tho morning of tho twenty-sixth
Duano rodo Into Bradford in timo to
cntch tho enrly train, nis wound did
not seriously incapacitate him. Long
streth was with him. And Miss Long
streth nnd Ruth ncrbert would not
bo left behind. They wero nil lenvlng
irnlrilnlo tnriwnr T nn
"g tho strango and terrlblo light of turned over tho whole of his property
ujes iiko tiioso. Moro thnn onco to Morton, who wns to divide It as ho
Dunno had n chnnco to nlm nt tlmm. nnd his fnmmflng. linllnvn.l 4o
lit tho top Of LoilCStrOth's hond. nt n Dunno lwul ln TTnllnln -.m.
-strip of his side. party by nlcht. tiasscd throneh Sm,w.
Longstreth flung Lnwson's body off, son in tho enrly hours of dawn, nnd
Hut even as It dropped, beforo Loug- reached Bradford as ho had planned,
strotn could lout), as ho Ktirniv iA. Thnt fnni mn-n ,
him nnii i I F1 Dunuo covore(1 outwardly calm, but Inwardly he wafi
::r"." . i"vuK'y nun: m n tumult. Ho wnntcd to rush to
MncNelJy beckonni to his mcii. They
crowded close, eager, like hounds,
ready to run. Thoy all tnlked at
once, nnd the word most significant
and frequent in their speech was
"outlaws."
MacNelly claimed his fls in hi.
- - ' - BU AX
hand.
"This '11 mnko tho ndjutnnt slclt
wltli Joy. Maybo ho won't have It
on tho Governor I Wo'll show them
about the ranger service. Dunno I
how'd you ever do It?"
"Now, Cnptnln, not tho hnlf Ror
tho quarter of this Job's done. The
gang's coming down tho rond. They'll
rldo In to town on tho dot two-thirty.''
"now ninny?" nsked MncNclly.
"Poggln, Blossom Knne, Pnnhandle
Smith, Boldt, Jim Flotclier. nnd nn.
other man I don't know."
."Poggln thnt's tho hnrd nut tn
crack 1 I'vo heard their record since
I'vo been in Vnl Verde. Who'
Knell?"
"Knell's dead." '
"Ah!" exclaimed MacNellv. nnMv.
Then ho grow businesslike, cool, nnd
of harder nspect "Dunne, It's youi
game to-day. We'ro nil under yost
orders."
"You understand there's no Ron t.
trying to nrrest Poggln, Kane nnd that
lot?" queried Duanc.
"No, I don't undcrstnnd thnt." r.
piled MncNelly, bluntly.
it cant bo dono. The dron cnni
bo got on such men. Poggln I That
outlnw has no equal with n gun us
less Ho's got to be killed oniric
They'll nil hnvo to bo killed. They're
nil bad, desperate, know no fonr. m
lightning ln nction."
Very well, Duano: then It's n flhfi
That '11 be easier, perhaps. Tho boyi
are spoiling for n fight Out with raw
plan, now."
"Put ono mnn nt ench end of thli
street, Just nt tho odge of town. Pi
four men up In that room over the
bnnk two nt each open window. Let
them hido till tho gamo begins. Tk
rest of your men put insldo behind
tho counters, whero they'll hide. Now
go over to tlio bank, spring tho thlna
on tho bnnk ofllclnls, send your mca
over one by one. No hurry, no er.
cltement no unusunl thing to attract
notice In tho bnnk."
"All right Thnt's great Tell mo
whero do you intend to wnlt?"
Dunno heard MacNelly's question,
and it struck him pecullnrly. Ho had
seemed to bo planning nnd speakiai
mechanicnlly. As ho was confroatefl
by the fact it npnplused him some
what nnd he became thoughtful
with lowered head.
"Whero '11 you wnlt Dunno?"
sisted MncNelly, with keen eyw
speculntlng.
'Til wait ln front Just Inside tin
door," replied Dunne, .with nn effort
"But will you hido?" nsked Mao
Nelly.
Duane wns silent
MacNelly stared, and then a strange,
comprehending light seemed to flit
over his fnce.
"Dunne, I can give you no orden
to-day," ho said, distinctly. Tm onU
offering advice. Need you take anj
moro risks? You've redeemed vour
self. The governor, tho ndjutant-ge
eral the whole state will riso up and
honor you. I say, as a ranger, need
you take moro risk than your can-tain?"
Still Dunno remnlncd silent Hi
was locked between two forces. And
one, n tide thnt was bursting at; 1U
bounds, seemed about to ovcrwholn-
him. Finally that side of him, the
retreating self, the weaker, found
voice.
"Captain, Just what I'll do or wh
I'll be I can't say vot. Tn mooting
llko this tho moment decido.q. rtn
I'll bo thero I"
MacNelly spread wldo his hnnrta
looked helplessly at Ids curious nnd
sympathetic rangers, and shook hi
head.
"NOW you'vo dono your wnrlrVnlil
tho trup is this strange movo Of vnnw
going to be fair to Miss Longstreth?'
nsked MacNelly. in Slcnlfipnnt- lnw
voice.
Like n great tree chonDod nt. thi
roots Duano vibrated to thn.
looked up as if he hud seen n ghost
Mercilessly tho ranger captain wen?
on-: 'ou can win her. Duanol Oh
you can't fool ine. I wns wise In
minute. Fight with US from
ou'll be free, honored, hnnnv. Timi
girl loves ysul I saw it ln her pys
She's"
But Duano cut him short a
llerco gesture. He lunge t,p to hii
feet, nnd tho rangers feU jack. Dark
silent, grim cs ho hai? been, still thert
was n transformation singularly niorf
sinister, stranger.
"Enough, J'd done," ho said, som
berly. "Jtb planned. Do we ngrcc
or sltf.li I meet Poggln and his gann
affile?" 8
MncNelJy cursed nnd
up his hnnds, this time in baffled
cliugrln. There wns deep regret In
ma uurn. eyes as they
Duane.
rested upon
"Duane! Lord, I Am Qlad to See You!"
he'll live up to tho conditions. He's
iu ii-uvu xwcas never to return. Ches
"Don't i l r S lo ",m; . m n mmuit. Ho wanted to rush to cldlnw has been n mystery nnd now it
ll kin JT c r U, iunl D(m tJ Vnl Verd0- WouId Cuntnlt MacNelly 51 fade." -ycry, nnd now it
1 1 kill oul Suro ns God I'll kill bo there with his rangers, ns Duano A few moments later ,
had planned for them to bo? Memory M MacNelly to a largo room llko
of that tawny Poggln returned with hall, and hero wero men readinc and
thorn
rangers I
you I
Longstreth Stood nnrltnn n ....
from tho table where his gun lay.
Duane saw him calculating chances.
Stninrr.1 nnvelnn n 1....1 1 . "-"K UU
- n - , w... u.i.' uuiiiu i niiiiiKiiiir uiinnn Lnnn.
i.- i ....... - I " w
uuura uuu wccks unu momns or wait-
Duano was left alone.
Nover hnd his mind
j clear, so wonderful in its understanding
I of what hnd heretofore been intricate
nnd elusive Impulses of his strange
nature. His determination was to meef
I'oggln; meet him beforo anyone else
.i """" i'oggln first and then
In'T', ,H Wtt8 as "Uerable
of Its acceptance ho had become stone.
(TO DEI CONTINUED.)
, Tamo Performance.
Did tho speaker mako much of an
Impression on you?"
"No."
mud!"1 1 Undcrst00d he some
"Well, If ho did, It wn freo from
bac terln nnd guaranteed not to soil 2
clothcs'-BIrmlngham Age-Hertdd.
