Photoplay (Jul - Dec 1916)

14S Photoplay Magazine sultry and enthusiastic kisses, the bandit dropped all caution, all reason, all memory of gratitude. The crooked gambler faction, whipped by Egan, was not dead but merely cowed and somnolent. The strange conquest by Oregon made them flock to him as to a staunch captain. For the first time in his life he tasted real authority. Like a lick of blood to a tiger cub, this swept him to open defiance. Under his leadership the gang bled suckers in fixed games, taunted the decent men of the community, made night hideous with revels and brawls, and insulted the name of "William Blake" at every opportunity. Draw Egan had no disinclination for a quick, sharp fight face-to-face. Oregon knew that if he fought Egan, Egan would kill him. And he knew, too, that Egan would not shoot him down from behind. The troubled keeper of peace realized that matters approached a climax when Myrtle's championship involved her in a nasty altercation with other Avonien of the town. She stoutly defended him — the women inferred things — Egan knew then that to save this girl as well as others he would probably have to declare himself — and enter the territorial penitentiary, his chance of love and life gone forever. Oregon Joe brought the climax himself. One evening, fuller of whiskey than usual, he listened to the siren voice of Poppy as she said : "Hon, there's an awful lot of deadly dames and old grandpas in these woods. Can't you make 'em go 'way ■ — so us an' the rest o' the real fellers can have Yellow Dog for our own little cosycosy? I could really love you for that, you know !" And she would not permit him to quite reach the kiss she put up tantalizingly on her two lips. Joe strode out to the bar. "Gents!" he cried, unsteadily mounting a chair and pounding a heavy beer-mug to pieces for order. "This is a good town! I like it ! I'm going to stay here ! So are you — but there is them that ain't ! We want a man's town, not a petticoat settlement. Are you with me?" Enthusiastic whoops of profanity proclaimed that the revolt had genuine support. The following day was the first day of May, and Buckton, and others of the better element, celebrated it as Arbor Day, carefully planting many little trees which should provide shade for future generations. As Buckton's little procession returned through the main street, they were confronted by Oregon Joe and his gang. Joe's speech was short. "By five tomorrow afternoon all of them that we ain't exactly hankerin' for will of left these parts for good." He named them — all of the town's good people. "Do you mean to say," gasped Buckton, "that you cutthroats intend chasin' us out of oar <m n town ?■" "You got me," affirmed Oregon. "An' we're shootin' if necessary." "Then you're shooting some," shot back Buckton. "an' vou'd better begin right now !" A human catapult bolted into the circle. It was the discredited marshal. "Folks," he exclaimed, "there's only one man goin' to leave this town, and that's the skunk that did the speechifyin'. You!" — his voice rang as he addressed Oregon — "Listen to me. you damn, low, sneakin' hound — I'm callin' your bluff !" Oregon started to speak. "Go on." howled the marshal, triumphantlv. "I know what you got to say. Say it !" "All right !" — Oregon Joe's eyes were distended with fear : he was at the wall ; his breath came in gasps — "Do vou know what kind o' prunes you pious pups is ? You got a man for law-an '-orderin' with a price on his head. Ever hear o' the bandit Draw Egan? That's right! Sure vo' have ! 'Low me. ladies an' gents, to present Your p'liceman. Mister Draw Egan! Blake? "Blake hell! If you don't bleeve me. go to Shorty Warner, his pal. in the pen. Or ask him!" "You don't need to ask me. folks." cut in Egan. in a quiet, weary voice. "I am Draw Egan. I wanted to go straight, but — this." He paused. The crowd had drawn sharplv away from him. as though he were a thing of horror. All save Buckton, who. with a melancholy smile on his face, stood looking at the ground, Egan close at his side. Myrtle sobbed like a little child — pitifully. Egan began again: "I've lived some bad. an' I ain't denying it. I was doin' my best, but I'm the man they're lookin' for 'way out vonder. and I ain't trvin' to get away." He paused, and as quickly commenced in a vibrant tone: "I claim just one right. I'm marshal o' this town till six o'clock tonight. At six o'clock