Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-06-08
CHAPTER XIV.
THEIR OWN.

That nights work ended the long
feud between the Loop n the Raccoon
River ranches. Each side had much
to forget and forgive, but there were
and forgivirg easier, and it began the
next day when Earle Worthing rode
over to see Nance Cardross and insist
ed upon her listening to his counsel.
They were talking at Martin Kilrain's
supper table about some of the more
immediate results of this action of
Worthing's. Buck was once more a
guest at Kilrain's that night.
For one thing, Buck said the fore
man, smiling, Miss Cardross is goin'
to git rid of your friends, them sheep"
IF they'd been wolves they couldn't
ha, bred more trouble" replied Buck.
Wolves they is in sleeps clothing"
Jess said nothing. She had been very
subdued all that day. She was unwont-
eddy gentle tonight.
I'm goin' up to Workings now,"
went ON Kilrain. Il won't be gon long,
Buck. Don't you hurry Off"
NO" said Buck, and his eyes sought
Jess.
The night was chill. On the open,
hearth a wood fire burned in kilrain's
sitting room. Before it Jess found her
self alone with uck when Agnes had
gone into the kitchen.
1t seemed to the girl that years had
passed since yesterday when she had
sat in the wood thinking of her hap
plness. 1t seemed to Buck that he had
lived g lifetime since last he had been
IN that room.
You didn't bring your 'cordiun,
Buck" said the girl.
His old smile twisted his mouth.
No, Jess. l didn't want to make YOU
put walls tween us tonight. Sides, it's
sick, an a sick 'cordium amt cheerful
company
Jess smiled. 1t was a rather nervous
little smile.
The young fellow looked at her. an
unconscious yearning growing in his
eyes.
Reckon I've been complainin' to it
too much!"
He took the long tongs from her
hands their fingers meeting in the ac-
ton. 1t was not the heat of the fire
that glowed in Bucks veins as he shift
ed the logs n stood the tongs back
in the rack.
Jess" he said, facing her all at once.
Il can't wait any longer for your love.
l ant Jess!"
She stock beside him. looking down
at the leaping flames that made a
blurred sheet Of gold before her eyes.
Her throat swelled to choking. Her
heart filled her with it's tumultous
throbbing. She could not move for the
leiLiolliS lLdt was upon ner.
Buck spoke again, the CULVER in his
low voice holding Jess breathless.
1T come to me last night as l rode
home through them woods, Jess, think
In harm had happened to you, that il
l found you safe, God would hold ms
a fool for not begin you to be my
wife. even if you laughed at me again;
for, when a man loves as I do, Jess-as
l love you-'tain'to only love, but life an
death an heaven an hell an his owr
soul, an he amt no man if he dom
speak Quit"
She covered her face with her hands
glad, frightened, awed. In all his knowl-
edge of her Buck had never seer Jess
break down. He bent his head to catcl
her choking words.
"Tll never laugh at you again. I ain'1
worth your love, Buck, but there AIM
another man on earth that could eve,
make me marry hin now since yor
have spoke to me like that!"
A moment passed.
Does you mean that, JESSE"
She took her hands from her face
looking up into his eyes.
Il mean. If you wants me, Buck,
am yours-tor life, for death-forever!'
His arms closed about her, her owr
about his neck. In that moment OF
their loves supremacy they forgot the
use of words.