Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-17
CHAPTER XVII.
UNDER PRESSURE

That nigth Earle Worthing was in
his office.
The death Of Cardross had shocked
MIN painfully. wiping out, so far as
ne was concerned, all scores against his
Old friend. He had ridden over at once
10 pc OF n service to Nance Cardross
Which she might permit, which. indeed,
nag q! proveo to be of no service at all.
Fol Nance C%ardross, idolizing her
brother, AID in a manner attributing
his death to the feud between WORTH
ing and him, had at this juncture re-
FUSED to see Worthing.
And there were haunting doubts in
Worthlng's own mind about the whole
occurrence. Kflrain had told him of
the t~reachery of Grange, a t~reachery
which, at Workings own advice, they
mad agreed to overlook for the mo-
ment, not ~neglecting to keep the mans
actfOns themselves under close ~suryeil-
lance.
Yet Grange was MOI to be blamed
for this. for all day he had been in
Kilrain's sight.
Jess Kilrain had admitted to her ia
ther that h had talked with Card
ross at the dam. What her story lacked.
IN detail 1t was reasonable enough to
believe was accounted for by he girls
horror at the subsequent event.
But Worthing. remembering how lust
a cause Jess had for revenge upon
Cardross, could not Danish a sinister
rear. Yet Jess could not have wrecked
the dam, for she was at home when
that occurred.
Worthing stopped in his restless pac-
ing OF the floor at the sound of a
knock upon the door. He knew by the
Ilrst glimpse of the face of the man
who entered the room that he was to
learn something more definite about the
catastrophe.
You. Buck!" he cried, cordially.
I'm mighty glad to see you. 1 am
worried clear through. Sit down and
help yourself"
He pushed chair and cigars to his
visitor. continuing his w pacing of
the room.
I'm feared I'm goin' to have to add
to your worry, Mr.. Worthing."
Earle Worthing glanced around hur-
riedly.
You know something about this ter
rible thing that has happened, Buck?
Tell me what 1t is. I need not assure
faltering in his own manner. though
kindly eyes. There wa sno sign of
faltering in his own manner, thuoeh
his sua bright face was clouded.
I knows all about it," he said, calm
~, for done it-done 1t ALI"
Worthing. What do you mean, Buck?'
The young fellow squared his Shout
ders.
II shot Blass Cardross through his
false heart" he said. Then, thinkin'
l was the least to suffer for dom 1t,
l blowed up the DAM. I amt sorry for
either dom. Mr.. Worthing, though
things has messed themselves badly.
an I knows I've got to answer for 'em.
all that troubles me-" he added
-"the messin'."
Worthing found his chair. His hand
was trembling. He was far more dis
turbed than Buck.
What did you do this thing. Buck?"
he asked. II do not mean about the
DAM"
Il can't tell you, sir. All I can say is.
1t had to be done!"
The eyes of both men met. In Bucks
Worthing read q calm determination
that was not to. be shaken. In Worth-
ms Buck read the slow and certain
daWning of perfect comprehension.
There was a long nj heavy silence.
You have said nothing OF this to
any n Buck?"
Perry Green suspects somethin' of
Worthing got up from his chair once
more in troubled thought. HI did not
turn at the low hut steady voice OF
Buck Brannon.
II come to you. Mr.. Worthing. as in
duty bound. We've been more like
friends than. rancher an. cowpuncher.
In the mofnin' and Buck here r0se
hlmself-'Tm goin' into the town to
but ! ! sQuealin'. an the laws the
law"
Worthing faced about.
And you are not going to do any
thing OF he sort. Buck" he cried. We.