The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-06-08
CHAPTER XIV.
THEIR OWN.

Inat nights work the long
Ieud etwee the Loop and the Raccoon
River ranches. Each side had much
to forget and forgive, but there were
influences which made this forgetting
ana forgivlng 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.
Ihey were talking at Martin Kilrain's
supper table about some of the more
immediate results Of this action of
Workings. 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 you friends. them sheep"
,if they'd been wolves they couldn't
ma pred more trouble" replied Buck.
wolves they is in sleeps clothing"
Jess said nothing. She had been very
subdued all that day. She was unwont.
edly gentle tonight.
I'm goln, up to Workings now"
Buck. Don't you hurry off,"
NO, SAID Buck, and his eyes sought
The night was chill. On the onen
hearth a wood fire burned in Kilrain,s
sitting room. Before it Jess found her
self alone with Buck when Agnes had
gone into the kitchen.
II seemed to the girl thai years had
passed since yesterday when she had
'OShS UeT nan
plness. 1t seemed to Buck hat he had
nved a'lifetime since last he had been
in that room.
"Yeu didn't bring your 'cordi,,n.
Buck" said the girl.
his Old smile twisted his mouth
mo, Jess. l didn't want to make yo;,
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.
What's the matter with it. B11ck ~
The young fellow looked at her an
unconscious y%earning growing in his
eyes. ~
Reckon I've been complainin' to If
too much!"
hands, their fingers meeting in The ac-
t1on. 1T was not the heat of the fire
that glowed in Bucks veins as he shift
ed the logs and stood the tongs hack
in the rack.
Jess" he said. facing her all at once.
l can JeSS!"
She stock beside him, looking down
at the leaping flames that made a
blurred sheet Of gold before her ewes.
Her throat swelled to choking. Her
heart filled her with its tumultn,1s
th%robbing. She could net move for the
trembling that was upon her.
Buck spoke again, the culver In his
low voice holding Jess breathless.
1t come to me last night as / rode
home through them woods, Jess. think,
IN harm had happened to you, that if
l found you safe, God would hold me
a TOOL for not begin you to be nv
wife, even if you laughed at me again:
Tor, when a man loves as do. JESUS
!! love you-tain't only love, but life am
death an heaven an hell an his own
soul, an he amt no man if he don't
speak out!"
She covered her face with her hands
glad, heightened, awed. In all his knowl,
edge of her Buck had never seen Jess
break down. He benz his head to catch
her choking words.
III never laugh at you again. T ain.t
worth your love, Buck, but there amt
another mar on earth h a could ever
make me marry him now since yor
have spoke to me like that!"
A moment passed.
Does you mean that, Jess"
She took her hands from her face
looking up into his eyes.
Il mean. if you wants me, Buck. T
am vours-for life, for death-foreyer!"
His arms closed about her, her own
about his neck. In that momen of
their loves supremacy they forgot the
use Of words.