Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-03
CHAPTER VII.
GOADINGS.

1T ong remained a mystery on the
Loop how Cardross's sheep escaped.
- HlSnt nave been noticed, however,
uiat hllfaln did not press the point
WITH any feINoi, and that Buck Bran
non was oddly silent on many occa-
SONS When sheep We're mentioned. AS
Tor Jess. she frankly said that 1t serve
lne Loop right. ii they We're going to
make a business of holding sheep for
ransom they ought to nave LOCKS that
could not be picked and not sleep like
snakes in winter time.
AT which Martin kilrain had looked
rather sheepish himself. But ii any
one thought that the restoration OF his
sheep VAS going to make any differ
ence in Cardross's relations with the
Loop, ne Was doomed to disiIlusion.
WORK on the dam across the Raccoon
river Went steadily on.
II was rumored on the Loop that
Earle Worthing had already taken le-
gal steps to protect himself, though of
TINS the youthful owner Of the Loop
sad nothing even to his foreman.
IN the mean time summer had come.
and all day the plains lay under a
shlmmering heat hat turned the grass
der green of the broom sage and dry
ing the earth to a fine dust that stirred
IKE smok under the hoofs of the
cattle and in the warm breezes that
swept out OF the cloudless skies. 1t
was the heyday for the orgeou liz
ards and the horned toads. and for the
clcadae that s%trulnE.ed their strident
music by the hour. adding to the
drowsiness of the air.
And every night the heavy dews and
the purple sky, pulsing with it's warm.
-nnumerable stars. gave unwelcome
promise of the advent Of the rainless
season when streams ran dry in their
beds and water became the most
precious Thing on the wide ranges.
In the already shrunken bed OF the
just then sinking h%ogsheads over
springs, that whatever happened he
might be prepared. for he knew the
law moved slowly. In his capable mind
ne was determined, should the worst
come to the worst, that he would take
the law into his own hands. He had
1alrly Warned Cardross.
Jess kllrain upon her pony in the
cool shadow of the overhanglng bank
OF the creek was watching several of
the men under the guidance of Buck
as they made excavations for
a hogshead.
Say, Buck" remarked Skull Will
llams, so called because of his receding
eyes and the smile that revealed his
even teeth, who gave you the tip there
plumb through the crust of the earth
uill you strikes hell?"
You are, Skull" said Buck, sooner
or later. What's the difference of a
year or so, more or less? Dig away"
Skull grinned.
II hopes l meet Blass Cardross ahead
of me" he grunted. "Sp'ilin' our rest
full summer thisaway."
"Blass Cardross amt thinkin' of hell
just now," volunteered another, wiring
ing the sweat from his beaded brow.
They say he's gittin' married to a gal
his sister has visitin' her from Sanan-
tony, rotten with money an ugly as
p'ison. Mebbe thatll be hell enough
for him."
"Cut out the swears an the gossip.
Bill commanded Buck with unwonted
sternness, his quick eye sweeping Jess
Kilrain's face. This amt a quiltin'
bee.''
Didn't know it was a prayer meet
in. either" retorted Bill Grange. ag-
grievedly. He had not for a long time
borne any good will to Buck Brannon.
An you's sittin' powerful careful of
Blass Cardross' reputation. Buck"
That's all right" muttered Buck.
stabbed by the sharp pallor of the girls
face. Never you mind what I'm careful
OF. You scratch gravel till you gifts
water! You know more'n as is good
for you bout Cardross' affairs, any
now.
remarks had come upon her with ster-
Ting revelation. More h once re-
Gently she had waited in the Skunk
Hollow ravine in vain for Cardross'
coming, and when he had next come,
though his love for her had been ali
the more ardent for it's denial, there
had been a restlessness ebout him
which had caused her to wonder.
And his excuses had not rung con-
vincingly. even though she had be-
lieved them.
For many weeks Jess had not seen
Nance Cardross. Instinctively she had
come to feel hat Nance's friendship
would not stretch to welcome her as
Blass Cardross' wife, and the element
OF secrecy in her love imposed upon
her by Cardross more and more irked
the girl. accustomed as she was by
nature and habit to be open about
everything.
She fingered a little longer by the
men at their work. perfectly aware OF
Bucks sensitive regard for her feel
ings. but according him no shade Of
recognition for 1t. More thar once,
however. her eyes centered upon his
stalwart young body and winning face.
turned hastily aside an his own glance
lifted to hers.
In her heart Jess admired Buck and
Was grateful 4 him.
II think I'll ride on. Buck" che said,