The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-05-04
CHAPTER TX.
RENDING THE VEIL.

there, apparently awaiting her coming,
was not Blass Cardross. It was Earle
Worthing who came forward, and,
placing his hand upon the reins spoke
to her, something OF grave solicitude
| in his manner.
will you get down, Jess ?" he asked.
Il have waited here purposely to speak
with you"
He saw the quick look Of compre-
| hension that leaped to her eyes. He
saw, too, the troubled concern that
| followed it.
You need not have any hesitation"
he assured her gently. Il am sure we
shall be alone"
For an instant anger sprang to the
girls face, and resentment made her
eyes hostile; but Workings calm re-
gard steadied her.
Il have known 1t for some time,
Jess" he said quietly, after he had
the fallen tree that lay spanning the
| bed of the ravine. "Of course. there
are other ways l might have gone
| about doing what brings me here to-
day. 1 might have spoken to your
father. might have gone to Cardross.
There were reasons why I preferred
coming to you"
worthing hesitated for q long mo-
| ment. His task was not an easy one,
and he did not want to blunder. Then
he took his courage and his good in
tent in his hands, and spoke to the
point.
Jess" he demanded, has Blass
Cardross ever asked you to be his
wife?"
Ali" she cried. on a quick inward
breath. You should ha' gone to him
with that question! I won't answer
It."
IF you WISH me to go to Lm with
1t, shall. -" he responded grayely.
An what lnakes you think, Earle
undisGuised, "tdat need your help or
any mans in nay own affairs"
There are times when the strongest
| Of us, and / knew you are strong, need
help. / was only seeking to save you
pain, Jess-the pain have felt Ia f1nd-
ing Blass CardrQss a disloyal friend"
An you seek 20 spare pain by gtvin'
curling her lip.
Yes" he asselted. Sometimes that
must be the way
Then you've mistaken the way" she
| told him, and rose from her seat. stand
ing before him, defiant, head erect
I'm afraid have" replied Worth
ing, and he smiled . little wryIy.
1t was already twilight in the deep
ravjne. High overload against the
| colorless sky solitary flying crow
cawed raucously. less Kilrain had
moved toward her horse. Worthipg
still sitting behind Ger. The evening
was almost without sound.
Along the path in the woods above
them, coming from che direction Of
the Raccoon River ranch, the rythm o!
horses galloping hoofs rang out.
The girl paused in her slow walk.
turning her body toward Worthing. Her
face had paled perceKhibly, and her
eyes upon Workings asked a mute
question.
1T Il. Cardross," he answered, rising.
II met him riding toWard town. He
must have turned back. You need not
be worried, Jess"
He moved quickly foE his horse. but
the galloping speed Of the approaching
horseman forestalled his intention. Be-
fore Worthing could mount, but with
his horse united, Blasa Cardross rode
into the little space.
He glanced from JesN to his former
friend, his first astonLshment giving
quick place to a suspicion only too ev-
ident to those who watched him.
AS the spot was on Cardross' land.
Worthing felt at a cep<ain disadvan-
tage. To spare the girt, he said with
what affability he coulG:
II was just on the point Of going,
Cardross. I had inferred by presence
would not be an intrusioH today"
Cardross swung himself off his
horse.
For one who Is so highly sensitive
| about trespassing," he sSid coldiy, ut
is rather odd that you SHOULD be here
at ALL" He faced the other more
squarely. You speak OF an intrusion.
An intrugian upon whatt
Worthing had flushed at the first
words.
Shall I say upon yovr land?" he
answered, his voice pitched low.
Jess Kilrain stepped forward. She
was not insensible of Wosthings deli
cacy Of motive. To profis by it stung
her pride. Instinctively coo, she felt
that Cardross' question had been Of the
nature Of evasion. She put one herself
which checkmated all evaaion.
Mr.. Worthing," asked how was
you aware that Mr.. Cardl Gss met me
| in this ravine?"
Surprised, Worthing heaItated. An
expression he caught IN Car1ross' swift
glance at the girl as she spoke de-
cided him.
Because many weeks ago, as I rode
along the path above there, fheard you
talking in here with Blass Cardross"
CArdross wheeled upon him with no
uncertain anger.
And was that a deliberate intru-
sion?" he demanded holly.
Worthing scorned to answer beyond
the steady rebuke Of his eyes
And doubtless you listened to what
we said" cried Cardross, his voice
| shaken now by the force Of q passion
| he Gould not master.
Worthing grew taller with the breath
| he took.
Il head what was said, Casdrosa. Il
brought me here today-thar and an
other thing have heard-to warn Jess
! Kilrain against you"
Cardross turned with vehemence up
| on the girl.
Since when has this man become
| your protector" he asked.
/ Jess looked at him, q curlouc pene-
! tration in her clear eyes, an DAD and
battling smile twisting her mouth.
Does you admit the need Of his pro-
tection?" she said, her voice so low
that Worthing scarce caught the
! words. Tell him, Blass that am to
| be your wife, an you needn't talk then
! of his protection"
With an ugly laugh, Cardrosr step
ped back.
| Continued next week)