Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-05-04
CHAPTER Yr-1continued.1

That afternoon Jess saddled her pony
and rod along the path she had walked
with her father upon the night ht
become the path she usually took, lead.
ing across the rolling plains to the dis.
tant woods, in which lay the Skunl
Hollow, with it's Wild and tangled "a.
vine.
Tacitly 1T had come to be the spor
where Cardross met her almost daily
and Jess knew she would meet him
there this noon
He was waiting for her when she
reached the little basin of the ravine
and move forward TO tie her horse by
Inc side of his own. She saw at once
that his mood was clouded, and he
turned to her with somewhat of re-
proach.
Il began to think you were not com
ing he told her. Il used always te
find you here
Oddly his reproach was not sweet te
her.
AN is it so much for you to wait
for me, Blass?"
It's SO much less than waiting with
you, Jess"
Yet that seems to be what you want
--waitin'."
You child"
She avoided his attempted caress
Il amt a child. Blass. Don't treat
me like L was one"
He put his arm about her.
Sweetheart" he murmured, "Tll
treat o like the dearest girl you are
II you just won't be cross with me.
Things have one badly with me to-
day. Be good to me-"
from his embrace. Lets talk about
that, Blass. What does you mean to
do?"
He smiled. There was much that was
%endearing about Blass Cardross.
You are in the camp of the enemy,
Jess"
But I amt an enemy. I think ia
ther made a mistake in what he done,
He thinks so himself"
Cardross' face hardened. He misun-
derstood the admission she made.
He will a to abide by It,"
He Is willin' to, but l amt willin'
to have him, Blass. Pm goin' to man
age this business. myself. heart"
"You!" Cardross exclaimed.
you must know it,"
He watched her, a generous admira-
ton kindling in his eyes.
But how, sweetheart
Never mind how. Just give me
just give me till tomorrow"
OF a truth he was not sorry to have
the excuse of humoring her to delay
his own action.
The shadows heightened in the woods
above them. In the deeper obscurity of
the ravine the dank doors Of the APP
preaching evening stole about them.
heavy weighted, lulling, touched with
mystery.
So still they were that the wild
things of the woods, curious squirrels,
and sensitively shifting rabbits, crept
out from cover, Drawing the human
presence.
You are happy, JESSE"
Why els SHOULD l be here, Blass?"
But she started at the indistinct
sounds of a horses tread somewhere in
the forest above them, standing with
her hand tight upon Cardross's arm
until it had died away. The man, too,
had Strengthened as he listened, the
echoing call of the horses rider COM
ny to them family as he galloped on.
"Buck Brannon," said Jess, and the
shadow in her eyes was not happy.
OF all the men of the Loop | hate
him worst" muttered Cardross. I'm
wisely, he added: Don't trust that
man, Jess. His tongue should be cut
out"
The girl drew away, a revulsion she
did not seek to comprehend Selling
why should I fear Buck Brannon
or any man?" she asked, a proud
scoyn in her voice. What has he
said to you bout me, Blass?"
Too late. he saw his error, protest
ing vainly hat she misunderstood:
THAI Buck had said nothing about
them.
Jess would not be treasured.
He right, he's right" she cried
ma ESiNn fAIV SVVhU 1naS wa, l., $40
steal out here to meet you so, Blass %
Gould you come to my house?" he
asked. Can 1 go to yours as things
are with me on Earle Workings
Steal here. Jess! Have we not
a right to u love that all the world
must be asked its favor?"
Jess shook her head.
A least" she said, after a mo-
ment, I'm goin' to tell your sister,
Not if you really love me. Jess"
pleaded. Nance is fond OF you, but
she is terribly Jealous of me. See how
she has turned against ever Earle
Worthing, whom she loved! Can't you
trVst me, Jess, to managed best until
the right time comes? Do you doubt
my love-"
He drew her to him, kissing her on
the mouth. murmuring the incoheren-
cies that were Yet so eloquent, holding
to him until abruptly he himself
released her and stood back. fearful
himself, white and breathless.
Jess CROPPED her way blindly to her
horse. her breath like sobs in her tense
throat. Bltndly h got into her saddle
and rode away, nor did Cardross seek
TO call her back.
Could h doubt his love!
Could she trust her own!