Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-05-25

1t was not long before the girl from
her elevated post saw him coming now
through the opposite woods along the
road to the ford.
She was surprised that any one
could have made the ford that day, and
a very real un~eaSiness made itself felt
in her as she watched Bucks nearer
approach. Just where the road shelved
into the turbid water he paused, and,
raising his eyes, saw her.
A quick pleasure flashed into Burk's
eyes, though instantly he reminded
himself that she could have known of
his coming or expected to see him
there. Then he gave his attention to
his reluctant horse.
rs 1t safe, Buck?" called Jess.
"Oh! / reckon so. l got over this
mornin' all right"
His horse wheeled around suddenly.
Buck putting him with spurs and quirt
once more at the risk. A risk it was,
he knew.
There's a big log comm down."
Buck" -
The log swirled by, eddied and
caught among the hanging roots and
vines beneath the bluff upon which
Jess sat.
Il wouldn't stay on that bank, Jess"
urged Buck. Its badly Scooped out,
an he bank is crumblin' somethin'
fierce higher up the river"
On the words he carried his horse
plunsing and floundering into the cur
rent, heading the frightened animal
well up stream lest he be swept below
the ford and down the river. Jess saw
his danger then, and her heart stood
still.
Despite his best endeavors the horse
lost Roadway in the rapid current.
Then for a time he seemed to be
holding his own, but 1t Was the prog
| ync, ~ {l,~ .4r~~ l-~sl IN = -
swept beyond the ford where the banks
always precipitous. We're now actual
ly cut under The force of the water, the
chance for horse and rider would be
slender, indeed.
And that seemed about to happen,
for the current eddying in shore was
swirling them down at an angle that
would miss the shelving ford.
: In the helplessness Of her terror
Jess groaned. But Buck knew his
danger, too, and realized that, unaided,
the horse would not make his escape.
Jess held her breath as she watched.
uncotling his snake lariat from the
horn of his saddle, Buck tool a few
hasty but we'll considered swirls, and
sent the rope flying outward and up
ward toward the stump of a cotton
wood about whose base the moose set
tied n drew a u as he wound the
lartat by a deft twist aroun the sad
NAS ASAA JSol ~ IilS AllOlllClil WIlGH the
battling horse was borne beyond the
ford.
Urging the animal forward once
more, Buck drew in the slight slack Of
the rope inch by inch, and in a mo-
ment more stood in safety on the slo-
ping bottom, his horse spent and shiv-
ering.
So tense had been the strain on Jess
that the reaction left her faint, and she
did not move even when she heard
Buck call to her. He stood coiling his
lariat, and blowing his horse. hidden
from sight of the girl by the higher
bank upon which she was.
Jess" he called again, come away
from that bank. 'Tain't safe there"
In that moment Jess wished he
would ride on homeward and leave her
alone. She did not want him to see
the weakness that was upon her and
which she could not conquer by effort
of her will.
Instead of going on, Buck, leaving
his horse to wait for him, clambered up
the ban and drew near her.
In her nervousness Jess released her
knee from the pommel and slipped to
the ground. Her face was still very
white, n her hand on the rein trem-
bled as she led her pony forward a few
PAGES.
why. Jess" Buck cried, did it
brighten you so! 'Twarn't no real
danger 'cept for the horse. I could ha'
SWum for 1T, had it come to that"
He a not seen her thus alone since
that memorable day on the dam. The
evidence of her distress about him, the
nearness of her body to him, pictures
que for all it's ugly habiting in rain
proof rubber; the appealing expression
IN her eyes-an appeal OF which Jess
herself was worcestershire remote
ness Of them both from all others
these things sent the love of her rush
ing to Bucks heart.
Jess" he asked suddenly very
grave, why did you say What you did
to Worthing that night? Tell me-"
very pallid, very still.
"'Cause it was SO, Buck. Cause it
was the TRUTH
1T wasn't the TRUTH
1T was in my heart to have it so,'
She persisted. TT was in my mind.
reckon God Almighty would call it so.
An all o done. you done for me-
I'm q man." he said, his voice muf-
fled. "'Twarn't all done for you, Jess
for you an mel"
Instinctively the girl drew back, sud-
den fear in her dark eyes-fear not
alone Of him, and, therefore, the more
battling to Buck.
Quickly his voice rang out in sharp,
alarmed command, and he sprang for
ward, selling with one hand the girl
and with h other The startled pony.
For Gods sake, comet" he cried,
and pulled them forward.
1t was in the nick of time. There
was a crashing, tearing, splashing
sound behind them as the ground up
on which Jess and her horse had beer
standing crumbly suddenly and plunged
into the river below.
Jess Kilrain had never swooned in
all Of her strong, young life, but now
a faintness hat was overwhelming
! claimed her. She reeled against her
pony, who, still startled, swerved aside,
leaving the girl swaying unsteadily..
Yet even then she lifted a protesting
hand as Buck leaped toward her.
1T is where you belong!" he cried
exultant for all his pity as his arms
closed about her and her head rested
weakly against his breast. ut is
where I'm going to hold you, Jess, over
my "a forever. Hold you till the
rivers OF hell freeze over m the little
devils go skatin'. Hold you! Don't
yous hear me, JESSE"
CHAPTER XXI.
IN THE WOODS.
Nfo Rc,,5 hnA-,oa-