Last of the Duanes

Last of the Duanes is a 1914 novel by Zane Grey. Origin Last of the Duanes is the original version of The Lone Star Ranger. Originally written in 1913, it was rejected by Munsey's Magazine as too violent. In the meantime, Grey wrote and published another manuscript titled Rangers of the Lone Star early in 1914; later that year, Grey sold the original story to The Argosy. Publishers combined the two serials into The Lone Star Ranger, the first of Grey's works to top a best-seller list. In 1996, Last of the Duanes was published in its original form. Plot summary Buckley "Buck" Duane is the son of a famous Texas gunslinger, a fact that brings him almost nothing but trouble. Duane shoots a man who threatens him and flees his hometown of Wellston to avoid the law. Mixing with outlaws while on the run, he clings desperately to the last of his principles until he rescues a girl named Jennie from the hands of an outlaw king. However, he loses her shortly after the escape and then begins to wander aimlessly, desperation growing as the worth of life slips away.