The Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 35, Ed. 1, Thursday, February 1, 1917 Page: 4 of 12
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THE BEAVER HERALD. BEAVER OKLAHOMA
THE LONE STAR RANGER
This is a story about the Texas Plains People
By ZANE GREY
'1
3
f
It
'
SYNOPSIS.
11
Tb time of the story: abcat 117$. The
placerThe'Ttxaa cow country. The chief
character: UuckJey Duane. a. young; man
who has Inherited a lust to kill which he
suppresses. In self-defense ha shoots dead
a drunken bully and la forced to flee to
the wild cou'ntry where he Joins Bland's
outlaw band. Euchre an amiable rascal
tells htm about Jennie a youne; a-lrl who
las been abducted and sold to Bland for a
bad fate. They determine to rescue tho
Itlrl and restore her to civilisation. Eu-
chre has . Just reconnoltered and Is re-
portlnc the outlook to Duck. Euchre la
killed. Duck kills niand and Is dancer
ouily wounded by Mrs. Bland but es-
capes with Jennie. Jennie Is abducted.
Iluck never sees her again but kills her
abductor. Ouane barely escapes death at
the hands of lynchers far a crime he nev-
er committed. He goes to see Captain
MacNelly of the RAnxers. who hands htm
a pardon on condition that he Join the
Rangers nd assist In breaking up the
outlaws. Duane accepts and goes to the
outlaw-headquarters on a secret mission
lie" meets Colonel Inirstreth. mayor of
Falrdale. and Miss Kay Lonirstreth and
her. coosin- Ituth. Buck arret!
MIS
robber
In fjonirjtreth's home and announces that
he Is a. Tlanrer. The colonel shows mark-
ed enmity. .Tne newItiiKfer secretly or-
lantseela xtrlUntfe committee.
CHAPTER XIX.
Stranger" rodq Into Falrdale; and
other hard-looking customers new to
Duane If not to Falrdale helped to
create n charged and waiting atmos-
phere. Tho saloons did unusual busi-
ness and wero never closed. Respect-
nblo citizens of the (owe were nwnk-
ened In the early dawn by rowdies
carousing In tho nt recti).
Duane kept pretty close under
corcr during tho day. lie did not
entertain the opinion that the first
Omoho walked down-street he would
be a target for guns. Things seldom
happened that way; and when they
did happen so. It was moro accident
than design. Hut at night he was not
Idle. He met Laramie Morton dim-
mer and others of like character; a
secret club had been formed; and all
the members were ready for nctlon.
Duane spent hours at night watching
tho houso where Floyd Lnwson stayed
when he was not up nt Longstrcth's.
At night ho was visited or at least
thjj house was by strango men who
were 'swift stealthy mysterious all
thfft kindly disposed friends or neigh-
bors would not havo been. Duano
had not been able to recognlzo any of
theso night visitors; and ho did not
think tho tlmo was ripo for n bold
holding up of ono of them. Neverthe-
less ho was suro such an event would
discover Lawson or someono In that
house to bo In touch with crooked
men.
Lnrnmlo was right. Not twenty-
four hours after his talk with Duane
In 'which ho advised quick nctlon ho
was found behind tho llttlo bar of his
restaurant with a bullct-holo In his
breast 'dead: No ono could bo found
who had heard n Bhot. It had been
dellberato murder for upon the bar
had been lift n plcco of paper rudely
scrawled with n pencil: "All friends
of rangers look for tho same."
Tills roused Duane. Ills first move
however wus to bury Laramie. Nono
of Laramie's neighbors evinced nny In-
terest In tho dead man or tho unfor-
tunato family ho had left. Dunne saw
that theso neighbors were held In
check by fear. Mrs. I.nrnmlo was 111 ;
tho shock of her husband's death wns
hnrd on her; and sho hod been left
almost destltuto with flvo children.
Duano rented nn ndobo houso on tho
outskirts of town nnd moved tlm
family Into It. Then ho played tho
part of provider and nurse nnd
friend.
After several days Duano went
boldly.Jnto town nnd showed that he
meant-7bus.lncss. It was his opinion
that thero wero men In Falrdalo
secretly glad of n ranger's presence.
What ho Intended to do was food for
great speculation. A company of
mllltla could not havo had tho effect
upon' tho wild clement of Falrdalo
that' (Duane's presence had. It got
out! that ho was n gunman lightning
swift' on tho draw. It was death to
fnc4 him. Ho had killed thirty men
wildest rumor of all. It was actually
said of him ho had tho gun-skill of
liuck Duano or Poggln
At first thero had not only been
great' conjecturo nmong tho vicious
clerortnt. but also n very decided
chrkklng of nil kinds of nctlon cal-
culated to bo conspicuous to a keen-
eyed ranger. At tho tables nt tho
borto and lounglng-places Duano heard
the'! remarks: "Who's thet ranger
nftiifl What 'II he do fust off? Is
ho Wrdtln' fer somebody? Who's goln
to draw on him fust an go to hell?
Jest about how soon will ho bo fouud
BonWhcres full of lead?"
Wipn It came out somewhere that
Duane was cultivating the honest
stayvht-homo citizens to nrray them in
tlmji ' ngalnst the other clement then
Falrdale showed Its wolf teeth.
Bevefpl times Duano wns shot at In
tho dark and onco slightly Injured.
Rurrjur had It that Poggln tho gun-
man 'was coming to meet him. But
theijlawless element did not rise up
In q mass to slay Duane on sight.
It was not so much that tho enemies
of iib'e law awaited his next move
but Just a slowness peculiar to the
frontier. Thero wns a rudo kind of
goo'd humor even in their open
hostility.
Besides ono ranger or a company
of rangers could not havo held tho
undivided attention of theso men from
their games and drinks and quarrels
except by some decided move. Ex-
dtwnent greed appetite were rife In
them. Duano marked however n
striking exception to tho usual run
of strangers he had been In the hnblt
of seeing. Snecker had gono or was
under cover. Again Duano caught a
vague rumor of tho coming of Poggln
yet ho never seemed to arrive. More-
over tho goings-on nmong tho
habitues of the resorts and cowboys
who camo In to drink and gamblo
wero unusually mild In comparison
with former conduct This lull how-
ever did not decelvo Duane. It could
not last. The wonder was that It
had lasted so long.
Dunne went often to seo Mrs. Lnra-
mlo and her children. Ono afternoon
while he was there he saw Miss Long-
strcth and Ruth ride up to tho door.
They carried a basket. Evidently
they had heard of Mrs. Laramie's
trouble. Duane felt strangely glad
but he went Into an adjoining room
rather than meet them.
"Mrs. Laramie I've come to seo
you" said Miss Longstrcth cheer-
fully. The little room was not very light
thero being only ono window ond the
doors but Duano could seo plnlnly
enough. Mrs. Laramie lay hollow-
checked and haggard on a bed. Once
sho had evidently been a woman of
some comeliness. The ravages of
trouble and grief wero there to read
In her worn face; It hod not however
any of tho hard and bitter lines that
had characterized her husband's.
Duano wondered considering that
Longstrcth had ruined Laramie how
Mrs. Laramie was going to regard tho
daughter of an enemy.
"So you'ro Granger Longstrcth's
girl?" queried tho woman with her
bright black eyes fixed on her visitor.
"Yes" replied Miss Longstrcth
simply. "This Is my cousin Ituth
Herbert. We've como to nurso you
take caro of tho children help you In
any way you'll let us."
Thero was a long silence.
"Well you look n llttlo llko Long-
Btrcth" finally said Mrs. Lnrnmlo
"but you'ro not at all llko him. You
must tako after your mother. Miss
Longstrcth I don't know if I enn if
I ought to accept anything from you.
Your father ruined my husband."
"Yes I know" replied tho girl sad-
ly. "That's all tho more reason you
should let mo help you. Pray don t
refuse. It will mean much to me."
If this poor stricken woman had
nny resentment It speedily melted In
tho warmth and sweetness of Miss
Longstretb's ninnner and no sooner
had she begun to talk to the children
than both they ond the mother were
"Mr. Ranger Walt!"
won. The opening of that big basket
was an ovent Poor stnrvcd llttlo
beggars I Tho havoc was wrought In
that household. Tho needs now wero
cheerfulness kindness help action
and theso the girls furnished with a
spirit that did Duane good.
"Mrs. I-nrnmle who dressed this
baby?" presently asked Miss. Long-
Btrcth. Dunne peeped In to see a
dilapidated youngster on her knee.
That Mght If any other wm needed
completed tho full nnd splendid es-
timate of Hay Longstrcth ond wrought
strangely upon his heart
The ranger" replied Mrs. Laramie.
"The ranger 1" exclaimed Miss Long-
streth. "Yes he's tnken care of us nil Blnco
since" Mrs. Larntnlo choked.
"Oh I So you've hod no help but
his" replied Miss Longstreth hastily.
"No women. Too bad. I'll send
someone Mrs. Laramie and I'll como
myself."
"It Ml bo good of you" went on
tho older woman. "You sec Jim had
few friends that Is right In town.
And they'vo been afraid to hqlp us
afraid they'd get what poor Jim "
"That's awful 1" burst out Miss
Longstrcth passionately. "A brave
am A
raw;
lot of friends I Mrs. Laramie don't
you worry any more. We'll take care
of you. Here Ituth help me. What-
ever Is the matter with baby's dress?"
Manifestly Miss Longstreth had
somo difficulty In subduing her emo-
tion. "Why. It's on hind side before" de-
clared Ituth. "I guess Mr. Hanger
hasn't dressed many babies."
"He did the best ho could" said
Mrs. Laramie. "Lord only knows
what would have become of us I"
"Then ho Is Is something moro
than a ranger?" queried Miss Long-
streth with a llttl break In her
voice.
"He's moro than I can tell" replied
Mrs'. Laramie. "Ho burled Jim. He
paid our debts. He fetched us here.
He bought food for us. He cooked for
us nnd fed us. He washed and dress-
ed the baby. He sat with me tho
first two nights after Jim's death
when I thought I'd die myself. He's
so kind so gentle so pntient Ho has
kept mo up Just by being near. Some-
times I'd wako from a doze an' see-
ing hlra there I'd know bow false
wero all these tales Jim heard about
him and believed nt first. Why ho
plays with tho children Just Just
llko any good man might. When he
has the baby up I Just can't believe
he's a bloody gunman as they say.
He's good but he Isn't happy. Ho
has such sad eyes. He looks far off
Bometlmes when tho children climb
round him. They lovo him. His life
Is sad. Nobody need tell me he sees
the good In things. Once ho said some-
body had to bo a ranger. Well I say
Thank God for a ranger like him I'"
Duane did not want to hear more
so ho walked Into the room.
"It wns thoughtful of you" Duano
Bald. "Womankind aro needed here.
I could do so little. Mrs. Laramie
you look better already. I'm glad.
And here's baby all clean and white.
Baby what n tlmo I had trying to
puzzlo out the way your clothes went
on 1 Well Mrs. Laramie didn't I tell
you friends would come? So will
tho brighter side."
"Yes I've more faith thnn I had"
replied Mrs. Laramie. "Granger
Longstrcth's daughter has como to me.
Thero for a while after Jim's death
I thought I'd Blnk. Wo have nothing.
How could I ever take care of my
llttlo ones? But I'm gaining courage
to"
"Mrs. Laramie do not distress your
self any more" said Miss Longstreth.
"I shall see you nro well cared for.
I promise you."
"Miss Longstrcth thut's fine!" ex-
claimed Duane. "It's what I've ex-
pected of you."
It must havo been sweet pralso to
her for tho whiteness of her foco
burned out In n beautiful blush.
"And It's good of you too. Miss
Herbert to come" added Duane.
"Let mo thank you both. I'm glad
I havo you girls as allies In part of
my lonely task here. Moro than glad
for the sako of this good woman and
the llttlo ones. Hut both of you bo
careful about coming here alune.
There's risk. And now I'll bo going.
Good-by Mrs. Laramie. I'll drop In
agnln to-night. Good-by."
"Mr. Ranger woltl" called Miss
Longstreth as ho went out. Sho was
whlto and wonderful. Sho stepped
out of the door' close to him.
"1 havo wronged you 1" sho said im-
pulsively. "Miss Longstreth! How can you
say that?" ho returned.
"I believed what my .father and
Floyd Lawson said about you. Now
I see I wronged you."
"You mnke mo very glad. But
Miss Longstrcth please don't speak
of wronging me. I have been a a
gunman I am n ranger and much
said of mo Is true. My duty Is hard
on others sometimes on those who
aro Innocent nlnsl But God knows
that duty Is hard too on me."
"I did wrong you. If you entered
my homo again I would think It an
honor. I "
"Please pleaso don't Miss Long-
strctli" Interrupted Duane.
"Hut sir my consclenco flays me"
she went on. There wns no other
sound llko her voice. "Will you tako
my hand? Will you forgive me?"
Sho gave It royally whllo the other
v'ns tnero pressing at her breast.
Dunne took tho proffered hand. Ho
did not know whnt clso to do.
Then It seemed to dawn upon him
that thero was moro behind this white
sweet noblo Intensity of her than
Just tho making amends for n fancied
or real wrong. Duane thought tho
man did not live on earth who could
havo resisted her then.
"I honor you for your goodness to
this unfortunate woman" she said
and now her speech came swiftly.
"When sho was all atane and help-
less you wero her friend. It wns tho
deed of a man. But Mrs. Laramlo
Isn't the only unfortunate woman In
the world. I too nm unfortunate.
Ah how I may soon need a friend I
Will you be my friend? I'm so alone.
I'm terribly worried. I fear I fear
Oh surely I'll need a friend soon-
soon. Oh I'm nfrald of what you'll
find out sooner or later. I want to help
you. Let us savd life If not honor.
Must I stand alone all alone? Will
you will you be" Her voice failed.
It seemed to Duane that she must
have discovered what he had bcgt.n
to suspect that her father and Law-
son were not tho honest ranchers
they pretended to be. Perhnps she
knew more! Her appeal to Duane
shook him deeply. He wanted to help
her more than he had ever wanted
anything. And with the meaning of
the tumultuous sweetness she stirred
In him thero came the realization of
a dangerous situation.
"I must be truo to my duty" ho
said hoarsely.
"If you knew me you'd know I
could never ask you to be false to it."
"Well then I'll do anything for
you."
"Oh thank you 1 I'm ashamed that
I believed my cousin Floyd l He lied
ho lied. I'm all In tho dark
strangely distressed. My father wants
me to go back home. Floyd 13 trying
to keep me here. They've quarreled.
Oh I know something dreadful will
happen. I know I'll need you If If
Will you help mo?"
"Yes" replied Dunne nnd his look
brought the blood to her face.
CHAPTER XX.
After supper Duane stolo out for
his usual evening's spying at Long-
strcth's ranch-house. When ho reach-
ed tho edge of tho shrubbery he saw
Longstrcth's door open flashing a
broad bar of light In tho darkness.
Lawson crossed tho threshold the
door closed and all was dark again
outside. Not a ray of light escaped
from the window. Duano tiptoed to
the door ond listened but could hear
only a murmer of voices. Besides
that position was too risky. He went
round tho corner of the house.
This side of the big adobe houso
was of much older construction than
the back of the lnrger part. There
wns n narrow passage between the
houses leading ?rom tho outside
through to the patio.
This passage now afforded Duano
nn opportunity nnd ho decided to
avail himself of It In spite of tho
very great danger. Crawling on very
stealthily he got under the shrubbery
to the entrance of the passage. In
tho blnckness a faint streak of light
showed the location of a crack In
tho wall. He had to slip In sldewlse.
It was n tight squeeze but he entered
without the slightest noise. When ho
got thero tho crack ho had marked
was n foot over his head. There was
nothing to do but And toe-holds In
tho crumbling walls nnd by bracing
knees on ono side back against the
other hold himself up. Onco with
his eye there ho did not caro what
risk he ran. Longstrcth appeared dis-
turbed; he sat stroking his mustache;
his brow was clouded. Lawson's face
seemed darker moro sullen yet light-
ed by somo Indomitable resolve.
N "We'll settle both deals to-night"
Lawson was saying. "That's what I
camo for."
"But supposo I don't choose to talk
here?" protested Longstrcth Impa-
tiently. "You've lost your nervo since that
ranger hit tho town. First now will
you givo Bay to mo?"
"Floyd you talk like a spoiled boy.
I tried to persuade her. But Ray
hasn't any use for you now. So what
can I do?"
"You can make her marry me" re-
plied Lawson.
"Make that girl do what sho doesn't
want to? It couldn't be done. Hut If
Ray loved you I would consent. We'd
all go away together before this mis-
erable business Is out. Then she'd
never know. And maybe you might
bo moro like you used to bo beforo
tho West ruined you."
"What 'd you want to let her como
out hero for?" demanded Lawson
hotly. "It was a dead mistake. I'vo
lost ray head over her. I'll have her
or die. No Longstreth we've got to
settle things to-night."
"Well we can settle whnt Ray's
concerned In right now" replied
Longstreth rising. "Come on; we'll
nsk her Seo where you stand."
They went out lenvlug tho door
open. Duano dropped down to r.est
himself and to wait.
The men seemed to bo absent a good
while though that feeling might havo
been occasioned by Duane's thrilling
Interest and anxiety. Finally ho
heard heavy steps. Lawson came In
alone. He was leaden-faced humili-
ated. Then something abject In him
gave placo to rage. Ho strodo the
room; ho cursed. Then Longstreth
returned now appreciably calmer.
Duano could not but decide that ho
felt relief at tho evident rejection of
Lawson's proposal.
"Don't fuss about It Floyd." ho
said. "You see I can't help It. We're
pretty wild out here but I can't rope
my daughter and give her to you ns
I would an unruly steer."
"Longstreth I can make her marry
me" declared Lawson thickly.
"How?"
"You know the hold I got on you
tho deal that mado you boss of this
rustler gang?"
"It Isn't likely rj forgot" replied
Longstreth trimly.
"I can go to Hay tell her that make
her bellevo I'd tell It broadcast tell
this ranger unless she'd marry roe."
Lawson spoke breathlessly with
boggard face and shadowed eyes. Ho
had -to shame. He was simply In tho
grip of passion.
Longstrcth gazed with dark con-
trolled fury at this relative. In that
look Duane saw a strong unscrupu-
lous man fallen Into evil ways but
still a man. It betrayed Lawson to
be the wild and passionate weakling.
Like the great majority of evil and
unrestrained men on the border he
had reached a point where Influence
wns futile. Reason had degenerated.
Ho saw only himself.
"But Floyd Bay's tho one person
on earth who must never know I'm
J n I wi vltK'
Wm3 In
"It Was a Dead Mistake."
a rustler & thief n red-handed ruler
of the worst gang of robbers" replied
Longstreth Impressively.
Floyd bowed his head at that as
If the significance had Just occurred
to him. But he wns not long at a loss.
"She's going to find It out sooner
or later. I tell you she knows now
there's something wrong out here.
She's got eyes. Mark what I say."
"Ray has changed I know. But
she hasn't any Idea yet that her
daddy's a boss rustler. Roy's con-
cerned about what she calls my duty
as mayor. Also I think she's not sat-
isfied with my explanations In regard
to certain property."
Lawson halted In his restless walk
nnd leaned against the stone mantel-
piece. He had his hands In his pock-
ets. He squared himself as If this
was his last stand. He looked desper-
ate but on the moment showed nn
nbsenco of his usual nervous excite-
ment. "Longstreth that may well be true"
he said. "No doubt all you say Is
true. But it doesn't help me. I want
tho girl. If I don't get her I reckon
we'll nil go to hell!"
Longstreth gave n slight start
barely perceptible like the switch of
nnnwakenlng tiger. He sat thero head
down stroking his mustache. Duane's
conviction was that Longstrcth right
then and there decided that the tiling
to do was to kill Lawson.
Lawson no more caught tho fateful
significance of a line crossed n limit
reached a decree decided than If ho
had not been present. Ho was
obsessed with himself now Duano
wondered had a man of his mind ever
lived so long nnd gone sq fnr among
.the exacting conditions of tho South
west? The nnswer wns perhnps
that Longstreth had guided him up
held him protected him. The com
Ing of Rny Locgstreth hod been tho
cnterlng-wedgo of dissension.
"You're too Impatient" said Long-
streth. "Ray might bo won. She
might marry you to save me but she'd
hate you. That Isn't the way. Walt
Play for time. Let's plan to sell out
here stock ranch property and
leave tho country. Then you'd hnvo
a show with her."
"I told you wo'vo got to stick"
growled Lawson. "The gang won't
stand for our going. It can't be dona
unless you want to sacrifice every-
thing." You mean double-cross tho men?
Go rlthout their knowing? Leave
them hero to foco whatever comes?"
"I meun Just that"
"I'm bad enough but not that bad"
returned Longstreth "If I can't get
tho gang to let mo off .I'll stay and
faco the music. All the same. Law-
son did It ever strike you that most
of the deals the last few years have
been yours?"
"Yes. If I hadn't rung them In
there wouldn't have been any. You've
had cold feet and especially since
this ranger has been here."
"Well call It cold feet If "you like.
But I call It sense. We reached our
limit long ago. Then we had to go
on. Too late to turn back I"
"I reckon we've nil sold that. Nono
of the gnng wants to quit. Tley all
think and I think we can't be touch-
ed. Wo may be blamed but nothing-
can be proved. We're too strong."
"There's where you're dead wrong"
rejoined Longstrcth emphatically. "I
Imagined that once not long ago. t
wns bull-headed. ' Who would ever
connect Granger Longstreth with n.
rustler gang? I've changed my mind..
I've begun "to think. I've reasoned
out things. We're crooked nnd we-
enn't last. It's the nature of life even
here for conditions to grow better.
The wise deal for us would be to-
dlvldo equally and leavo'the country
nil of us"
"Hut you nnd I hnvo nil the stock
nil the gain" protested Lawson.
"I'll split mine."
"I won't that settles that" added"
Lawson Instantly.
Longstreth spread wide his hands
ns If it was useless to try to convince
this man. Talk had not Increased his.
calmness and he now showed more
than Impatience. A dull glint gleamed.
deep In his eyes.
"Your stock nnd property will last A
a long lime uo jois oi gooa wucd.
this ranger "
"Bnhl" honrsely croaked Lawson.
The ranger's name was a match ap-
plied to powder. "Haven't I told you
he'd be dead soon any time same?
as Laramie Is?"
"Yes you mentioned the the sup-
position" replied Longstreth sarcasti-
cally. "I inquired too Just how that
very desired event was to be brought
about"
'The gang will lay him out"
"Mah 1" retorted Longstreth In turn.
He laughed contemptuously.
"Floyd don't be n fool. You've:
been on the border for ten years but
you never In all that tlmo saw a man
like this ranger. The only way to
gei rid of htm Is for the gang to-
draw on him all at once. Then he's
going to drop some of them. To tell
you the truth I wouldn't care much.
I'm pretty sick of this mess."
Lawson cursed In amazement. His.
emotions were nil out of proportion
to his Intelligence. He was not at
all quick-witted. Duane had never
seen a vainer or more arrogant man.
"Longstreth I don't like your talk"
ho said.
"If you don't like the way I tnlk you
know what you can do" replied Long-
streth quickly. He 'stood up then.
cool nnd quiet with flash of eyes and
set of lips that told Duano he was
dangerous.
"Well after nil that's neither hero
nor there" went on Lawson uncon-
sciously cowed by the qther. "Tho
thing Is do I get the girl?"
"Not by any means except her con-
sent" "YouMl make her marry mo?"
"No. No" replied Longstreth his
voico still cold low-pitched.
"All right- Then I'll make her."
Evidently Longstreth understood
the roan before him so well that ho
wasted no more words. Duano knew
what Lnwson never dreamed of nnd
that was that Longstrcth had a gun
somewhere within rench and meant
to uso It Then heavy footsteps
sounded outside tramping upon the
porch. Duano believed those foot-
steps saved Lawson's life.
"There they are" said Lawson nnd
he opened the door.
Five masked men entered. They
nil wore coats hiding any weapons.
A big man with burly shoulders
shook hands with Longstrcth and the
others stood back.
Tho ntmosphero of tho room had
changed. Lawson might have been a
nonentity for nil ho counted. Long-
streth was nnother man a stranger
to Dunne. If he hnd entertained o
hopo of freeing himself from thl"
band of getting away to a safer
country he abandoned It nt tho very
sight of theso men. There was power
here and ho wus bound.
Tho big mnn spoke In low honrse
whispers and nt this nil tho others
gathered around him closo to the
table. Thero we"ro ovldently some
signs ' of membership not plain to
Duane. Then nil tho bends were
bent over tho tnblc. Low voices
spoke queried nnswered argued.
By straining his ears Duane caught t
word here and there. They were
planning nnd they were brief. Duane
gathered they were to have a rendez-
vous nt or near Ord.
Then tho big man who evidently
was tho lender of the present con-
vention got up to deport Ho went
as swiftly as ho hnd come nnd was
followed by his comrades. Longstrcth
prepared for a quiet smoke Lawson
seemed uncommunicative and un-
sociable. He smoked fiercely and
drank continually. AH nt once ho
straightened up as If listening.
"What's that?" he called suddenly.
Duane's strained cars were pervad
ed by a slight rustling sound. ii I
"Must bo a rat" replied Longstreth.
The rustle became a rattle.
"Sounds like a rattlesnake to me"
said Lawson.
Longstreth got up from the tablo
and peered round the room. '
(TO BE CONTINUED.)
4
i
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The Beaver Herald (Beaver, Okla.), Vol. 30, No. 35, Ed. 1, Thursday, February 1, 1917, newspaper, February 1, 1917; Beaver, Oklahoma. (https://gateway.okhistory.org/ark:/67531/metadc69142/m1/4/?rotate=90: accessed April 25, 2024), The Gateway to Oklahoma History, https://gateway.okhistory.org; crediting Oklahoma Historical Society.