The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1916-05-04
CHAPTER IN.
RENDING THE VEIL.

To Jess Kilrain's surprise, when she
reached the ravine, the man who stood
there. apparently awaiting her coming,
was not Blass Cardross. 1t was Earle
Worthing who came forward, and.
placing his hand upon the reins, spoke
to her, something of a grave solicitude
in his manner.
win you get down, Jess ?' he asked.
Il have waited here purposely to speak
with you"
He saw the quick look of compre-
henSlon that leaped to her eyes. He
saw, too, the troubled concern that
followed it.
You need not have any hesitation,'
ne assured her gently. Il am sure we
shall be alone"
girls face, and resentment made her
eyes hostile; but Workings calm re-
gard steadied her.
i have known it for some time,
Jess he said quietly, after he had
hitched her horse and Joined her on
the fallen tree that lay spannin the
bed of the ravine "Of course, there
are other ways I might have gone
ABOUT doing what brings me here to-
day. might have spoken to your
dather. l might have gone to Cardross.
There We're reasons why l preferred
coming to YOU"
Worthing hesitated for a long mo-
ment. His task was not an easy one,
ana he did not want to blunder. Then
ne took his courage and his good in
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! 1 won't answer
it."
If you wish me to go to him with
1t, | SHALL he responded gravely.
An what makes you think, Earle
Worthlng,' she cried, her flaring anger
undisguised, that 1 need your help or
any mans in my own affairs?"
Ihere are times when the tronge
OF US, ana l know you are strong, need
help. l was only seeking to save you
pam, Jess-the pain l ! rave felt in find
ing Blass Cardross a disloyal friend"
An You seek to spare pain by givin'
1t, is that you Way?" she asked. IRONY
curling her lip.
Yes" he assented. 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 l have" replied Worth
ing, and he smiled a little wryly.
1t was already twilight in the deep
raV1ne. High overhead against the
colorless sky a solitary flying crow
W. raucously. Jess kilrain had
moved toward her horse. Worthing
still sitting behind her. The evening
was almost without sound.
Along the path in the woods above
them, coming from the direction of
the Raccoon River ranch. the rythm of
a horses galloping hoofs rang out.
The girl paused in her slow walk,
turning her body toward Worthing. Her
race had paled perceptibly, and her
eyes upon Workings asked a mute
question.
1T is Cardross," he answered, rising.
L met him riding toward town. He
must have turned back. You need not
be worried, Jess"
He moved quickly for his horse, but
the galloping speed of the approaching
horseman forestalled his intention. Be
fore Worthing could mount, but with
his horse united, Blass Cardross rode
into the little space.
He glanced from Jess to his former
TREND, his first establishment giving
quick place to a suspicion only too ev-
1dent to those who watched him.
As the spot was on C~ardross' land.
Worthing felt at a certain disadvan-
tage. To spare the girl, he said with
affability he could:
Il was just on the point of going,
Cardross. l had inferred by presence
would not be an intrusion today
Cardross swung himself off his
horse.
~ Hoi ~ g. l. Is 81 Highly SENSITIVE
about trespassing," he said colby, sit
is rather odd hat you should be here
at all" He faced the other more
squarely. You speak of an intrusion.
An intrusian upon what?
Worthing had flushed at the first
words.
Shall I say upon your land?" he
answered, his voice pitched low.
Jess Kiirain stepped forward. She
was not ~insensible of Workings deli
nc 81 y p ~, m -.- c.I -.
her pride. instinctively, too, she felt
that Cardross' question had been of the
nature of evasion. She put one herself
which checkmated all evasion.
MI. Worthing," asked, how was
you aware that MIR. CardroSS met me
in this ravine?"
Surprised, Worthing hesitated. An
expression he caught in Cardross' swif.
glance at the girl Is she spoke de-
cided him.
along the path above there. / heard you
talking In here with Blass Cardross.'
Cardross wheeled upon him with no
uncertain anger.
Ard was that a; deliberate intru-
sion 2" 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 a passion
he could not master.
Worthing grew taller with the breath
he took.
~ head what was SAID, Cardross. 1t
brought me here today-that and an
other thing l a heard-to warn Jess
Kilrain against YOU"
Cardross turned with vehemence up
on the girl.
Since when has this maj become
your protector" he asked.
Jess looked at him, a curious pene-
tration in her clear eyes, an odd and
battling smile twisting her mouth.
Does o admit the need of his PRO-
lection ?" she said, her voice so low
that Worthing scarce caught the
words. Tell him, BIass, that / am to
be your wife, an you needn't talk then
Of his protection"
With an ugly laugh. Cardross step