The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-05-18
CHAPTER XVII.
UNDER

The death of Cardross had shocked
him painfully, wiping out, SO far as
ne was concerned, all scores against his
Old friend. He had ridden over at once
TO be of any service to Nance Cardross
Whlch she might permit, which, indeed,
mao proved to be of no service at all.
For Nance Cardross, idolizing her
piotner, and in a manner a~ttributing
ms death to the feud between Worth
ing and him, had at his ju%ncture re-
fused to see Worthing.
ana there were haunting doubts in
WorthlngNs own min about the whole
occurrence. Kilrain had told him of
lne ~tfeachery of Grange, a treachery
Whlch, at Workings own advice, they
liad agreed to overlook for the mo-
Ihent, not neglecting to keep the mans
actions themselves under close suryeil-
lance.
Yet Grange was not to be blamed
LOT TINS, for all day he had been in
hlrain's sight.
Jess hllrain had admitted to her ia
ther That h had talked with Card
ross at the dam. What her story lacked
IN detail 1t was reasonable enough to
pelleve was accounted for by the girls
hoIior az the subsequent event.
but Worthing, remembering how lust
a cause Jess had for evenge mon
Saroross, could not Danish a sinister
Fear. Yet Jess could not have wrecked
the Dam, for she was at home when
that occurred. e
Worthlng stopped in his restless pac-
1ns OF the floor at h sound of a
Llfst glimpse of the face Of the man
VINO entered he room that he was to
learn something more definite about the
catastrophe.
You, Buck!" he cried, cordially
I'm mighty glad to see you. / am
worried HJnor fl,o,,-1- CA
help yourself
he pushed chair and cigars to his
visitor, continuing his own pacing of
the room.
I'm feared I'm goin' to have to add
70 your worry, Mr.. Worthing."
riedly. hui
gu know something about this ter
rioie thing that has happened, Buck?
EEL me what 1t is. / need not assure
o of my discretion"
iaiter1ng In his own manner though
klndly eyes. There wa sno sign OF
Ialtering in his own manner thposh
his usual bright face was clonded.
! KneWs all about it." he said, calm
~. FOR l done it-done it any"
Iou done it-you did It'll" echoed
Wor1hlng. What do you mean, Ruck2"
ders. W
Il shot Blass Cardross through his
Ialse heart" he said. Then, thinkin'
l was the least to suffer for dom, Il
! proved up h dam. I amt sorry for
eIther dom. M. Worthing, thorsh
ei11ngs has messed themselves badly.
That's all that troubles me" he added
the messiah" ~
Worthing found his chair. His hand
trembling. He was far more lis
turbed than Buck.
what did you DO this thing. Buck2,
dam" 'ne
I can't tell you, sir. All / can saw is.
1T had to be done!" -
The eye of both men met. In R,,cl,,s
Worthlng read a calm determination
!hat was not to he shaken. In Worth
ms SUCK read the slow and certain
There was a long and heavy silence
fOu Rave said nothing Of this To
any one, Bucls?"
Perry Green suspects somethin, of
1.-THE least of it."
Wortfaing got up from his chair once
turn at the low but steady voice ~
Buck Brannon. -
y come % you. Mr.. Worthing. as in
t bound We've been moT j;xa
friends than rancher an
r. Irfe rnoIntn' and Buck here rose
VA Gull IL liILO IQG town IN
give myself UP, faint easy. I al1nue
law" liz
'Worthing faced about.
and you are not going to do any,
tn,ng q the sort, Buck" he cried. We
bitter derision in his voice. sisid the
iaW do anything when I appeafed r.
lr. Does the Law make men like vo,Io
! am the law on the Loop, and vn,,
stay right here" ~
Bnck smiled. There was a warm hight
But he shook his head.
u couldn't live. Worthing.. he said
softlY with this thing shut UT fnsids
OF me. couldn't look a COW in the
aace an feel / was a man with j
MD IN me like assin."
M9rthing halted before his cow
quietly repressed. Think of t Il ssS We;
40 a not knoE the law YOU would honor.
~ g tanned for stirring up all that
nappen after 1T hi al1owedsit to nap
theslaw would ferret things aout. I rnys
sell would have to speak against him.
her. She would have To snaa,r
Think of that-of Martin. Kilrain Of
me, OF Cardross' sister-of Jess her
Bucks head dropped.
You make a coward Of me,, ha
cried. Don't do that, Worthinr.
God made a man Of you first" said
Worthing. You need not fee.r, Buck"
It's the man I'm thinkin' off, muir
INJURED Buck, and his voice shook.
"Mebbe 'tain't much. but it's plurnbsev-
erythin'! I must, Worthing. l musti"
door was pushed gently open.
MIS-: Worthing entered. starting back
at sight Of her. sons visitor.
thought no one was with YOU
Earle. You have. been a stranger Buck
lately. Some a is here wishing to
see you. Earle"
Some onet"
'childiip
All" exclaimed Worthing. while
lifted anxious eyes.
snow Jess In here, mother Worth.
won't mind sitting alone a little longer"
He walked over to his mother and