The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-05-11

would palliate the grief. Buck took
heart OF hope.
His hope a little enough to feed
on, but Buck was possessed of a phil
osophy of patience.
Never chase nothin' that you wants
TO come to you" he would say. Just
sit still, but set a purpose. Its all in
the purpose
which was all well enough in its
way if subject TO variations, And this,
too, Buck knew. One day he tried a
variation.
He saw Jess pass before the stable
door where he sat splicing the moose
end of a new snake larlat. The half
distance of the barn lot lay between
them, but hearing Bucks voice as he
sang over his work.. Jess looked toward
him mi nodded CURLY.
Gar | go with YOU. Jess" the young
COW pEncher called.
Jess paused before the open gate OF
the lot.
Co where" she asked, unsmiling
dark eyes upon him.
He looked at her. a CLEAN of quiz
zical humor lighting his face.
GO to-heaven!"
Il amt in the mood for heaven"
she returned.
He rose, lariat and tools in hand, and
moved toward her.
Tn willin' to go the other way,
then" he said. It's all n to me"
4 reckon there's more truth THAI
religion in that she told him dryly,
and her lips twitched.
she walked on, however, and he be-
side her, down the slope of the hill and
into the woods that lay behind the
orchard, Jess vouchsafing few words
on the way. Buck ratified on, rather in
consequently, not because lie had moth
ing TO say. but because he did not say
It, and was likewise afraid OF Jess ST.
lence.
In a little hollow where the cotton
woods grew tall about a spring Jess
stopped.
Don't you v try list'nin' some
times, Buck she asked. as she seated
herself on u low stump.
Il didn't hear nothin' to listen to.
an l plumb hate a funeral, Jess"
NO n asked you to attend this
one she flashed. Some folks can't
leave even the dead in peace"
Buck. levity, the stirring of vexation
ne had felt, fell from him instantly. He
confession unforeseen by Jess as she
had uttered them.
he, too, spoke with undue provision.
noting only how the girls face had
changed Of ate. nov even now she sat.
a lstiessness SO foreign to her smiling
MN with keen II unwary compassion.
Has 1t hurt you so bad as all that,
JESSE he asked gently.
For an instant it seemed that Jess
would not resent the question. For an
instant, indeed, she did not. Then the
tnTeat or her own weakness gave her
uength-an ungenerous strength. Her
eyes blazed with anger.
Mind your own business. Buck
BTannon, she cried. go back to the
parn lot where you belong"
But Buck grew suddenly stubborn
at that, and angry, too.
/ won't" he said II meant no
harm. an o know it. Jess Kilrain. an
that's naore'n you took care could be
said OF hint"
The girl bounded to her feet. A
wnlte fury OF passion and Indignation
held her dumb Her hands ciencbed
1lgntly on themselves Her breath
Buck let fail the lariat he had begun
70 work upon. appalled, by the result
ne had accomplished, yet still swept by
q righteous anger.
why does you make me say such
Things to you, Jess ?" he Demanded
Shy does Q treat me like I was a
aos' Wnen you knows I'd give my life
Tor you You've flung insults in nv
teeth TIL my mouth is full of them,
back" son
Jess laughed Historically.
You're all the same she cried.
You're worse than dogs, A woman
amt safe with no man. I'd lever trust
a snake.'s
Buck stopped. and took up his rope.
His face was grim. p
That's what ole Eve thought in the
garden of Eden he returned cody
an she done it an got badly bit
you're some kin to Eve, Pm a thinkin.
less. You better read UP bout her
pints one for her,
He walked off, lariat Topped over his
nan pared muscular arm, leaving Jess
watching him. speeches..