Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-05-18
CHAPTER XVII.
UNDER

That nigth Earle Worthing was in
his office.
The death of Cerdross had shocked
him painfully, wiping out, SO far as
he was concerned, all scores against his
old friend. He had ridden over at once
to be of any service to Nance Cardross
which she might permit, which, indeed.
q proved to be of no service at all.
For Nance Cardross, idolizing her
brother, and in a manner attributing
his death to the feud between Worth
ing and him, had at this j%uncture re-
FUSED to see Worthing.
And there were haunting doubts in
Workings w MIND about the whole
occurrence. Kilrain had told him Of
the treachery of Grange. a treachery
which, at Workings own advice. they
mad agreed to overlook for the mo-
ment, not neglecting to keep the mans
actions themselves under close ~uryeil
lance.
Yet Grange was not to be blamed
for this, for all day he had beer in
Kilrain's sight.
Jess Kilrain had admitted to her ia
ther hat she had talked with Card
ross at the dam. What her story lacked
IN detail 1T was reasonable enough to
DeneVe was accounted for by the girls
horror at the subsequent event.
But Worthlng, remembering how lust
a cause Jess a for revenge upon
Cardross, could not Danish a sinister
Tear. Yet Jess could not have wrecked
the Dam, for she was at home when
that occurred.
Worthlng stopped in his restless pac-
ing of the floor at the sound Of a
knock upon the He knew by the
f1rst glimpse of the face Of the man
VINO entered the room that he was to
learn something more definite about the
catastrophe.
You, Buck!" he cried, cordially.
Tn mighty glad to see you. 1 am
worried clear through. Sit. down and
help YOURSELF"
He pushed chair and cigars to his
VISITOR, continuing his own pacing of
the room.
I'm feared I'm goin' to nave to add
TO your worry, Mr.. Worthing."
Earle Worthing glanced around hur-
riedly.
You know something about this ter
rible thing that has happened. Buck?
Tell me what it is. I need not assure
you of my discretion"
faltering in his own n though
kindly eyes. There wa sno sign of
Ialterlng In his own manner, thuogh
his usual bright face was clouded.
Il knows all about it." he said, calm
~, for l done it-done it all!"
You done it-you did it," echoed
Worthing. VIVA do you mean. Buck?
The young fellow. squared his shoul-
ders.
Il shot Blass Cardross through his
false heart" he said. Then. thinkin'
was the least to suffer for dom it,
either dom, Mr.. Worthing, though
things has messed themselves badly.
an l knows I've got to answer for EN-.
That's all that troubles me-" he added
THE mess1n'."
Worthing found his chair. His hand
| JIyG G mr. IT,
turbed than Buck.
what did you do this thing, Buck ?'
he asked. II do not mean about he
DAM"
II can't tell you. sir. All 1 can say is,
it had to be done!"
The eyes of both men met. In Bucks
Worthlng read a calm determination
that was not to be shaken. In Worth
ms Buck read the slow and certain
daWnlng of perfect comprehension.
There was a long and heavy silence.
You have said nothing of this to
any m Buck?'
Perry Green suspects somethin' of
1.-THE least of it."
Worthlng got up from his chair once
more in troubled thought. He did NOT
turn at the low but steady voice of
Buck Brannon.
i come to you, Mr.. Worthing, as in
duty bound. We've been more like
friends than rancher an
In the mornin' and Buck here rose
himself-"1'm goin' into the town to
give myself up. 'Tain't easy, 1 allow;
but l amt squealin', an the laws the
law
Worthing faced about.
And you are not going to do any,
thing Of the sort, Buck" he cried, We
bitter derision in his voice. Did the
law do anything when I appealed to
1t? Does the law mak men like you?
1 am the law on the Loop, and Won
stay right here"
Buck smiled. There was a warm light
in the eye he turned upon Worthing.
But he shook his head.
Il couldn't live, Worthing," he said.
softly, with this thing shut up inside
of me. I couldn't look a cow in the
face an feel l was a man with this
hid in me like a sim"
Worthing halted before his cow
puncher.
Not for her sake, Buck?" he asked.
quietly repressed. Think Of h a You
do not know the law you would honor
1t is famed for stirring un all that
happens after 1t has allowed 1t to hap
pen. You might hold your silence hut
the law would ferret things out. I nv
self would have to speak against him
! against her. She would have to speak.
Think Of that-of Martin Kilrain. of
self"
Bucks head dropped.
4 You make a coward Of mel" he
cried. Don't do that, worthine."
God made a man of you first" said
Worthing. You need not fear, Buck"
Its the man I'm thinkin' Of" muir
INJURED Buck. and his vuice shook
"Mebbe faint much, but it's plumb ev-
erythin'! I must Worthing. I must.'
The door was pushed gently open.
Mrs. Worthing entered. starting back
at sight OF her sons visitor.
II thought no one was with you
Earle. You have been a stranger, Buck
lately. Some one is here wishing to
see you, Earle"
Som one!"
Jess Kilrain." she whispered. POO,
child"
"Ahi" exclaimed worthinR. while
Buck lifted anxious eyes.
Show Jess in here, mother Worth.
) ing added on a quick impulse. "You
won't mind sitting alone a little longer
He walked owe to his mother ant
placed a hand upon her arm. Mrs
Worthing glanced at Buck. She ha6
not needed the hint. She did not re.
sent II. He confidence In her son wa.
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