{%-ZpJ\ L grey
Al'THOR np
•‘THE LIGHT OF WESTERN
STARS"
"RIDERS OF THE PURPLE
SAGE", ETC.
COfrRlCHT, St HARPER AND BROTHERS
SYNOPSIS.
CHAPTER I — In Wcllston, Tcxi*’, it
w*r'Omes with Buckle} Duane a - a- of
fi-rht or run from <'il Bain. Du me kiUs
his man and becomes an outlaw.
CHAPTTvR II — II meets Luke Stev
ens. an outlaw.
CHAPTRR ITT—Stevens goes into the
town of Merca r to buy supplies and .
shot by a rancher. Duane buiics him.
niAPTRR TV Dunn* goes to Bland's
outh-w vtronf'hohl in the Kim Km U and
after shooting Boaomer. who <juarr*ds
with 1dm over Stevens’ dentil. decid>
to stay there. Em-hre takes Duane
a partner and t* I him about Bland,
the outlaw chh f rid his band.
CT-T\PTER V Duane practices am re
throw intf and hears more about Miami
and his gang.
DTI APTF.R VT—Euchre and Duane
call on Kate. Bland’s wifi*, and Jennie
a girl whom Benson kidnaped and do
to Bland.
CHAPTER VIT Euchre and Duane
conspire to take Jennie away. Duae
prevents a wanton murder.
CHAPTER VITT Mr* Bland m 1 • •
love to Duane and he u* * - lu r t > r .
ther his plans. Bland return fr un a
trip. He asks D i me to join t li Jr,tel
Tie is jealous of Du me arid ahiij-es Ka
and Jennie.
CHAPTER TX—Euchre kills Benson.
Is killed by Alloway. Dunne Kill Ail"
way and Bland and esi up- a, vonne'd.
with Jennie. Tn u H• • • t*t♦ 1 hut in the
niCMjuite Jennie nurc s inm.
CHAPTER X—When Dunne N st-one
enough they travel out of tin Kin K > ’
to a rancher's house, whev, Du i« r.
covers. On their wav to S' »jiiv\ 1!
Jennie Is carried off by outlaw while
Duane is away looking for a strayed
horse.
CHAPTER XT— A fter vein r- h for
Jennie, whose abdu tor he ki!: Du '
leads the lone-wolf lif for mo» <. i*
tliree years, tins i 1 v rr< tt’ n x 1 m- - • •
from Captain MeXelly *f tin ranee
asking him to come to the captain
camp after dark.
CHAPTER XTT- The message is *v
erul times repeated. Duane is chased by
a lynching party.
CHAPTER XTTI—A price on his held
prpi accused of murdering a woman.
Duane rides into Shirley to deny the
murder. After a narrow escape from
lynching, he proves his lnnocetice and is
allowed to go.
CHAPTER X.TV—Tie goes to McNelly’s
r inger camp. McNellv offers him p ■ r
don and soeial restoration if h« will
become a range r and cl* .in «*ut tin*
Cheseldine gang in the Big Me* d co m
trv.
CHAPTER XV Tlu-k Dunne rav r
strikes the Big B< n 1 country and b
gins work. Chescldlne is a mvsterv. a
power and a horror to the country
CHAPTER XVI.
Next morning Duuno mounted Ids
horse nnd bended for I'nirdnle. He
rode leisurely, as lie wanted to learn
all lie could about the country. I here
were few ranches. The further he
traveled the better grazing he en
countered, and. strange to note, the
fewer bi*r<lts of cattle. It was just
sunset when hi" made out a cluster
of adobe houses that marked Sander
son, half-way between Bradford and
Fairtlale. When he drew up-la-lore
the inn tin' hmdlord and his family
and u number of loungers greeted
him laconically.
“Beat the stage in, hey?" remarked
cftie.
“There she comes now." said an
other. “Joel shore is drlviu to
night.”
Far down the roatl Duane saw n
cloud of dust nnd horses and tt lum
bering coach. Presently it rolled up,
a large mud-bespattered and dusty
vehicle, littered with baggage on top
and tied on behind. A number of
passengers alighted, three ol whom
excited Duane's interest. One was a
tall, dark, striking-looking man. and
the other two were ladies, wearing
long gray ulsters and veils. Duane
heard the proprietor of the inn ad
dress the limn as Colonel Longstreth,
and as the party entered the inn
Duane's quick oars caught a few words
which acquainted him with the fact
that Longstreth was the mayor of
Fairdale.
Duane pnssed inside himself to
learn that supper would soon he
* ready. At table he found him*
self opposite the Htree who had at
tracted his attention.
“ltuth, I envy the lucky cowboys,”
Longstreth was saying.
Ruth was a 'curly-headed girl with
gray or hazel eyes. “1 in crazy to
ride bronchos,” she said.
Duane gathered that she was on a
visit to western Texas. The other
girl’s deep voice, sweet like a hell,
made Duane regard her closer. She
did not resemble the Colonel, who
was evidently her father. She looked
tired, quiet, even melancholy. A
finely chiseled oval face, that had
something nervous and delicate about
it which made Duane think of a
thoroughbred, a mouth by no menus
small, but perfectly curved, ami hair
like Jet proclaimed her beauty to
Duane. When she looked at him,
drawn by his rather persistent gaze,
there was pride, lire, and passion in
lior eyes. Duane felt himself blush
in" in confusion.
After sapper the guests assembled
In n I*iir si tt Ingroom where nil open
fireplace with blazing inespuite sticks
gave out warm and cheery glow.
Duane took a seat by a table in the
corner, and, finding it papir. began
to read. Presently when lie glanced
tip he saw two dark-faced men, ,
Cr.e Was a Striking Looking Man.
■drangers who had not appeared be
Ion-. Tin \ weft* peering in from a
rtoorwny. When they saw. Duane bad
observed them they stepped Imek out
of sight.
It flashed over Duane that the
strangers acted suspiciously. Tu Texas
in the seventies it was always bad
policy to let strangers go unheeded.
Then he went out into a patio, and
aeross it to a little dingy. dim lighted
hurroom. Here he found the inn
keeper dispensing drinks to the two
st rangers.
"Hev somethin’?" one of them ask
ed. leering. Both loo] -1 Duane up
and down.
"No thanks, I don't drink," Duane
replied, and returned their scrutiny
with Interest. "How's tricks in the
Big BendV"
Both tin'll stilted, it had only takun
a elose glance for Duane to recognize
a type of rullian me-1 freipiently met
along tiie river. These .strangers had
that siiyup. ami their surprise provd
lie was right. Here the innkeeper
showed signs of uneasiness, and
seconded the surprise of his custom
ers. No more was said at the instant,
and the two miner hurriedly went
out.
“Sa.v, boss,* do you know these fol
low.-':” Duane asked the innkeeper.
"Nope. They Banned hea#i. coinin’
freei Brad'ord they said, an’ trailed
in after the stage."
When Duane returned to the sirting
l room Colonel Longstroth was absent,
;i^so sevi-ral of tile other passengers.
Miss Iiu111 sat in (lie chair he had
vacated, and across the table from
her sal Mi.-s I.ongsirclh. Duane went |
directly to them.
"Km uso ini', saiil Dunne, address
ins thorn. “I want to toll yuu there
are a couple of rough-looking men
hero. I’ve just seen them. They
mean evil. Tell your father to be
careful. Kook your doors—bar your
windows to-night.”
“■( Hi I" ei ied Until, very low. “Kay,
do you hear?”
‘Thank you; .wc’U lie careful.” said
Miss l.ongsireth, gracefully. The rich
color had faded in her cheek. 'I saw
those men watching you from that
door. 'They had such bright black
eyes. Is there really danger here?”
“I think so," was Puane's reply.
Soft swift steps behind him pre
ceded a harsh voice: “Hands up!”
No man was quicker than Duane tr
recognize the iittent in those words!
Mis hands shot up. Miss Kuth tiller
ed a liltie frightened cry and sank
into her chair. Miss. I.ongstreth
turned chile, her eyes dilated. Both
girls were staring at someone behind
Duane.
“Turn around!” ordered the liarsb
voice.
The big. dark stranger, the bearded
one who had whispered to hi*, com
rade in the bar room and asked
Dunn** to drink, 1. id him covered with
a cocked gun. lie strode forward,
his eyes gleaming, pressed the gun
against him. and with his other hand
dived Into his insidi pocket and lore
out his roll of bills. Then In* r* ached
low at Duane's hip, felt his gun, and
took it., llis comrade stoigl in the
iloor. with a pun leveled at two other
nun. u ho stood there frightened,
speechless.
"Git a move on, Bill,” called this
fellow; and he took a hasty glance
backward. A stamp of hoofs came
from outside. Of course the robber?
had horses waiting. The one called
Bill strode across the roo.'n, and with
brutal, careless haste began to prod
the two men with his weapon and to
search them. Tin* robber in the door
way called “Bustle!” and disappear^
Duane wondered where tile inn
keeper was. and Colonel Longstreth
and the other two passengers. The
bearded robber had wheeled once
more. Duane had not moved a muscle
but stood perfectly calm with ills arms
high. The robber strode back with
ids bloodshot eyes fastened upon the
girls. M.ss Bongstreth never flinched,
but the little girl appeared about to
fitint.
”1 ain't yap. there!” he said, low
and hard. He thrust the gun close to
Jlutlt. Duane hud a little gun in his
pocket. Tile robber had missed it.
And be began to calculate chances,
“Any money, jewelry, diamonds!"
ord'-red the ruffian, fiercely.
Miss Ruth collapsed. Then hr
made at Mis* Longstreth. She stood
with her hands at her breast. Evi
dently the robber took tills position
to mean that shp had valuables con
cealed there. But Dunne fancied silt
bad instinctively pressed her hands
against a throbbing heart.
“Come out with it!” he said, harsh
ly. reaching for her.
“Don't dare touch me!” she cried
her eyes ablaze. Site did not move
She had nerve. She eluded two
lunges the man made at. her. Then
his rough hand caught at her waist
and with one pull ripped it asunder,
exposing her beautiful shoulder, white
as snow.
Bite cried out. The prospect of be
ing robbed or even killed had not
shaken Miss Rongstreth’s nerve as
had this brutal tearing off ol' half
her waist.
The ruffian was only turned par
tially away from Duane. The gun was
Mil! lieid dangerously upward close
to her. Duane watelied only that.
TIkui a bellow made him jerk his head.
Colonel I.ougstretli stood in the door
way in a magnificent rage. He had
no weapon. Strange how In- showed
no fear! He bellowed something
again.
1 Min Ilf's shifting glance caught tin
robber's sudden movement. 1T«• seoni
t*(l stricken. Tlio hand that clutched
Miss Lnng«tret h's lorn waist loosened
Its hold. Tito other hand with its
rocked weapon slowly dropped till it
pointed to the floor. That wat
It tin no’s chance.
Swift :ts :i flash he drew his tun
nnd tired. Then tin robber's trim
(loomed lie rndessly. ill' fell with
blood spurting over his lace. Duane
rushed out of the rot it if. across the
piiitti. through tlii har to the yartl.
In tin if loo 'i stood a saddled horse,
probably (lie otto belonging to the
fellow lie had shot. His comrade had
escaped. Returning to the sitting
room, I >ii:tin* found a condition ap
proaching pa ndcinoniuni.
The innkeeper was shout lag to find
out what had happened. .Tool, the
stage-driver, was trying to quiet the
men who had heen robbed. The wo
man, wife of one of the men, hud
come in, and she had hysterics. The
girls were still an.d white. The rob
ber Ilill lay where lie had fallen. I.ike
a caged lion I.ongsireth stalked and
roared. There came a quieter mo
ment in whieli the innkeeper shrilly
protested :
"Man, what're • you ravin' about?
Nobody’s hurt, an’ thet’s ltvky. I
swear to (!od I hadn’t nothin’ to do
with them fellers!1’
“I ought to kill you anyhow!’’ re
plied Loiurstrejh. And his voice now
astounded Duane, it was so full of
power.
i'pon examination Dunne found
that his bullet had furrowed the rob
ber's temple and had glanced. He was
not seriousi.v injured, and already
s* owed signs of returning conscious
ness.
"Drag him out of here!” ordered
l.otigstrofh; and lie turned to his
daughter.
i.eiere me innkeeper renenen ini'
millii>r Dunne 1 m<1 secured the money
jii'.il ;’im taken from iuiu ; iiml presently
1 veneered tli»> "property of (ho other
i icii. Joel helped il o innkeeper curry
the injiircil niiin somewhere outside.
.Miss Hmigstrcth was sitting white
hut compos'd upon the couch, where
lay Miss Until, who evidently had
been (lurried there by the Colonel.
The Colonel, now tli.it he finally re
membered his womenfolk, seemed to
be gentle and kind, lie talked sooth
ingly to Miss Until, made light of the
adventure, said she must learn to
have nerfe out here where things
happened.
“('an I he of any service?” asked
I >uane, solicitously.
“Thanks; I guess there’s milling
you can do. Talk to these friglitcm d
girls while 1 go see what's to be done
with that thick-skulled robber,” lie
replied, and. telling the girls that
there was no more danger, he went
out.
Miss Longstreth sat with one hand
holding her torn waist in place; the
ollter she extended to Duane. lie
look it awkwardly, and he felt a
strange thrill.
“You saved my life," she said, in
grave, sweet seriousness.
“No, mil” Duane exclaimed. “He
might have struck you, hurt you, hut
no more."
“Did you kill Idui?" asked Miss
Iliith. who lay listening.
“oh. no. lie's not hndly hurt.”
“riu very glad he’s alive,”
Miss l.pngstreth, shuddering.
said
“Tell mi- all about it?" asked Miss
Iiuth, who whs fust recovering.
ltather embarrassed, Duane briefly
toM (lie incident from his point of
view.
“Cousin." said Miss Longstreth,
thoughtfully, "it wttw fortunate for us
that this gentleman happened to lie
here. Papa scouts -laughs at dang
er. He seems to think there was no
danger. Yet lie raved after it mine."
‘‘Go with us all the way to Fair
dale—please?” asked Miss Ruth,
sweetly offering her hand. “[ am
Uuth Herbert. And this is my cousin
Hay Longstreth.’’
‘‘I’m traveling that w.-fy.” replied
Duane, in great confusion, lie did
not know how to tin et the situation.
Colonel I.ongstreih returned then,
and after bidding Duane a good night,
which seemed rather < .et hv euntrast
io the gracimislicss ol the giii. , he led
them away.
Kefore going to tied Duane went
outside to take a look at the injured
robber and perhaps to ask him a few
questions. To Duane's surprise, he
s', its gone, and so was his horse. The
innkeeper was dumfounded. lie said
that h*» left the fellow on the floor
in the barroom.
“Had he come to?" Inquired Duane.
“Sure. Jie asked for whisky.”
“Did he say anything else?"
“Net to me. I heard him talkin’ to
the father of them girls.”
“You mean Golnnel Longstreth?”
“I reckon. He sure was some riled,
wasn’t he? .1 < st as if I was to Idame
for that two hit of a hohl-up!"
“What did you make of the old
gent’s rage?" asked Duane, watching
tint innkeeper. He Scratched ids
head dubiously. lie was sincere, and
Duane believed in his honesty.
“Wal. I’m doggoned if I know what
to make of it. But I reckon lie’s
either crazy or got more nerve than
most Texans.”
“More nerve, maybe," Duane re
plied. "Show me a bed now, inn
keeper.”
Once in hod in the dark, Duane
composed himself to think over tin
events of the evening. Why had
that flespernl*.* rohher lowered his gun
and stood paralyzed at sight and
sound of the mayor of Luirdalc? This
was not answerable. There might
have been a number of reasons, all
to Colonel Longs! ret h's credit, hut
Duane could not understand.
Next morning Duane walked up tin
main street and hack again, dust as
lie arrived some horsemen rode up
to the inn. and dismounted. And at
this juncture the Longstreth party
came out. Duane heard Colonel l.ong
sireth nttcr an exclamation. Then he
saw him shake hands with a tail man.
Longstreth looked surprised and
angry, and he spoke with force; but
Dunne could not hear what it was he
said. Tin fellow laughed, yet some
how he struck Duane as. sullen, until
suddenly he espied Miss Longstreth.
Then Ids face changed, and he re
moved Ids sombrero. Duane went
closer.
“Lloyd, did you come with the
teams?" asked Longstreth, sharply.
“Not me. I rode a horse, good and
hard,” was the reply.
‘‘Hump! I'll have a word to say to
you later.” Then Longstreth turned
to his daughter. “Hay, here's the
cousin I've told you about. You list'd
to play with him ten years ngo—
Floyd Lawson. Floyd, my daughter—
and my niece, Ruth Herbert.”
Duane always scrutinized everyone
lit* met, and now with a dangerous
game to play, with a consciousness of
Liingstroth's unusual and significant
personality, in* bent a keen and
searching glance upon this Floyd
Lawson.
lie was unAr thirty, yet gray at his
temples—dark, smooth dlmven, with
lines left l>y wildness, dissipation,
shadows under dark eyes, a mouth
strong and hitter, and a square chin—
4 ree'less, careless, handsome, sinist
er fact* strangely losing the hardness
when he smiled. The grace of a
gentleman t inny round him. seemed
like an echo in his ihellow voice.
Duane doubted not that he. like many
a young man, had drifted out to the
frontier, where rough anti wild life
had wrought sternly but had not quite
effaced tin* mark of good family.
Colonel Longsfreth apparently did
not share tin* pleasure of ids daughter
and Ids niece in tin* advent of this
cousin, j Something hinged on litis
I
in«»t'tlnir. Plume grew intensely curi
ous, lmt. ns the stage appeared ready
for the journey, lie had no further op
portunity to gratify it.
Plume followed tlie stage through
the town, out Into, the open, on to a
wide, hard-packed road showing years
of travel. It headed m."!lm-st. To
the left rose a range of low. Monk
mountains he had noted yesterday, 1
and to the right sloped the tiiesqulte- !
patched sweep of ridge an 1 flat. Th*'
driver pushed his team to r fast trot, !
which gait surely covered ground
fa nidly.
Early In the afternoon from a ridge
top 1 mane sighted Fairdale. a green
patch in the mass of gray. For the
barrens of- Texas it was Indeed a fair
sight. But he was more concerned
with its remoteness from civilization
than its beauty. At that time, in the
early seventies, when tin* vast western
thital of Texas was n wilderness, the
pioneer had done wonders to settle
there and establish places 1 iIce Fair
dale.
It needed only a glance for Duane to
pick out Colonel I,ongstreth’s ranch.
The house, not more than a few min
utes’ walk from the edge of the town,
was a low flat roofed structure made
of red adobe bricks. All was green
about it, except where the fcucis!
corral and numerous barns or sheds
showed gray and red.
From all outside appearance's Fair
dale was no different from other :
frontier towns, and Dunne's expecta
tions were scarcely realized. As the
afternoon was waning lie balled at ;
a little inn. A boy took charge of bis
liorse. Duane questioned the lad
about Fairdale and gradually drew to
the subject most in mind.
“Colonel T.ongslreth lias a big out
fit. eh?”
“Reckon he lias,” replied tin* lad.
“Doan know how many cowboys.
They're always cornin' and gain’. I
ain’t acquainted with half of them.”
“Much movement of stock these
days?”
CHAPTER XVII
lie re
“Stock’s nltvnys movin',"
plied. with n queer look.
“Hustlers?”
But lie did not follow up that look
with the'affirmative Duane exported.
“l ively place, I hear—Fnirdalo is?”
“Ain’t so lively ns Sanderson, hut
it’s bigger.”
“Ves. 1 tieard it was. Fellow down
lliore was talking about two cowboys
who were arrested."
“Sure. I lieered ail about tliat.
■Toe Bean an’ Brick Higgins—they be
long heah, but they ain’t heah much.
Longstreth’s boys.”
Duane did not want to tie over-in
quisitive, so he turned the talk into
other channels.
After getting supper Duane stroiled
up and down the main street. When
darkness set in he went into a hotel,
bought cigars, sat around, and watch
ed. Then he passed out and went
into the next place, ft was full of
men coining and going—a dusty-boot
ed crowd that smelled of horses and
smoke. Duane sat down for a while,
with wide eyes and open ears. Then
lie limited up tlie bar. lie stayed in
there for a while, and knew that
strung! is were too common In Fair
dole to lie conspicuous. Then he
returned to the inn where he had j
engagtsl a room.
Dunne sat down on the steps of !
the dingy little restaurant. Two men !
were conversing inside, and they had
not noticed Duane.
“Laramie, what's the stranger's |
name?" asked one.
“lie didn't say.” replied the other.
“Sure was a strnppin’ big man.
Struck me a 111 tie odd. he did. No
cattleman, him. Mow'd you size
him ?”
“Well, like one of them cool, easy,
quiet Texans who’s been lookin’ for a
man for years—to kill ltim when he
found him.”
“Bight you are, Laramie; and, be
tween you an’ me. I hope lie’s lookin’
for Long—’’
‘ s-*li: interrupted Laratide. ‘ You
must lie lialf drunk, to go talkin' that
way.”
Thereafter they conversed in too low
a tone for Duane to hear, and presently
Laramie’s visitor left. Duane went
inside, and. making himself agreeable,
began to ask casual questions about i
Fairdale. Laramie was not communi
cative.
Dunne went to his room In n
thoughtful frame of mind. There was
something wrong about the mayor of ■
Fairdale. The innkeeper Laramie 1
would he worth cultivating. And
hist in Duane’s thoughts that night
was Miss Longstreth. He could not
help thinking of her—how strangely
tiie meeting with her had utTeeted
him. It made him remember that j
long-past time when girls had been
a part of his life. He had no rigid
even to dream of a beautiful woman j
like Kay Longstreth.
Several days passed. Duane did
not succeed in getting any closer to i
Laramie, hut he found the idlers on .
the corners and In front of the stores j
unsuspicious and willing to talk. It
did not take him long to lhul out that
Fairdale stood parallel with Hunts
ville for gambling, drinking, and light- I
ing. The street was always lined with 1
dusty, saddled horses, the town full
of strangers. Money appeared more
•abundant than In any place Duane
had evt r visited; and it was spent
with the abandon that spoke forcibly j
of ea y and crooked acquirement, j
Dunne decided that Sanderson, Krad j
ford, and Ord were but notorious out
posts of this Fairdale, which was a
secret center of rustlers and outlaws. 1
And what struck Duane strangest of I
all was the fact that Longstreth was
mayor here nnd held «•<>11 rt daily, in
quiry lmd brought him the fact that
Hay Longstrelh had just come to live
with her father. Longstreth had
originally been a planter in Louisiana,
where his family had remained after
his advent in the West. He was a
rich rancher; he owned half of Fair
dale; lie was a cattle-buyer on a large
scale. Floyd Lawson was his lieuten
ant nnd assoeiate in deals.
On .tlie afternoon of the fifth day
of Duane’s stay in Fairdale he re
turned to the Inn from his usual stroll,
and upon entering was amazed to
i-t.-/ i 1 ;-1—1
"Bo Snecker! He Hit Me—"
luive a rough-looking young follow
rush by him out of the door. Insido
Laramie was lying on tin floor, wirh
a bloody bruise on bis face. Ho did
not appear to be dangerously burl.
“Bo Snooker! lie hit me and went
after the cash-drawer,” said Laramie,
laboring to liis feet.
"Are you hurt much?'’ queried
Duane.
"I guess not. But Bo needn't to
have soaked me. I've been robbed
before without that.”
“Well, I'll take a look after Bo,”
replied Duane.
He went out and glanced down the
street toward the center of the town.
He did not set- anyone lie could take
for the innkeeper’s assailant. Then
lie looked up the street, and he saw
the young fellow about a block away,
i hurrying along and gazing tuick.
Dune yelled for him to stop and
started to go after him. Snecker
or.(kc into a run. Then Dunne set
out to overhaul him. There were two
motives In Duane’s action—one of
anger, and the other h desire to make
a friend of this man Laramie, who
Duane believed could loll him much.
Duane was lighi on bis feet, and
he had a giant .stride. lie gained
rapidly, kept him in sight, in the
shade, on the paths, and up the road
into the courtyard, and lie saw Snook
er go straight for Longstretb's house.
Duane was not to be turned back
by that, singular as it was. Me en
tered the first door and burst into the
presence of Miss Longstretli arid a
number of young people. Evidently
she was giving a little party.
Lawson stood loaning against one
of the pillars; at sight of Duane his
face changed remarkably, expressing
amazement, consternation, then fear.
Miss Longstretli rose white as her
dress. The young women present
stared in astonishment, if they were
not equally perturbed. There were
cowboys present who suddenly grew
Intent and still. By these tilings
Dunne gathered that his appearance
must be disconcerting, lie was punt
ing. lie wore no bat or coat. Ills
big gunsiicatli sltbwed plainly at his
lep.
Sight of Miss Longs! ret h had an
unaccountable effect upon Duane. He
was plunged into confusion. For the
moment ho saw no one lint tier.
"Miss Longstrolh — I mine — to
search—your house.” punted Dunne.
"Search my house:" exclaimed Miss
Long; troth; am! red sueeeedod the
white in her cheeks. She appeared
astonished and angry. “What for?
Why. how dare you: Thjs is un
warrantable !”
“A man—Bo Snecker—assaulted
and rohhed Jim I.arainie," replied
Duane, hurriedly. “1 chased Snecker
here—saw him run into this house.”
“Here? Oh, sir, you must be mis
taken. We have seen no one. in the
absence of my fattier I'm mistress
here. I’ll not permit you to search.”
Lawson appeared to come out of Ids
astonishment, tie stepped forward.
“Ray, don't be bothered now.” he
said, to his cousin. “This fellow's
making a bluff. I'll settle him. See
here, mister, you clear out!"
“I want Snecker. He's here, and
I'm going to get him," replied Duane,
quid ly.
“Bull ! Thut's all a bluff." sneered
l.awson. ‘Tm on to your game. You
just wanted an excuse to break iiv
here—to see my cousin again. When
you saw the company you invented
that excuse. Now, tie off, or it 'll tie
the worse for you.” '
Duane felt Ids fare.burn with s
tide of hot blood. Almost he felt
that lie was guilty of such motive.
Ilud lie not been unable to put this
Ray Longs! ret It out of his mind?
There seemed to he scorn In her eyes
now. And somehow (hut checked his
cmjbarrassnient.
(Continued Next Week j