Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-10

gentleness which might have told how
deep was her gratitude.
Yet despite her treatment of Buct
the young fellow was not unhappy. HI
knew there had been some break IL
her relations with Cardross, and. re
membcring her face that day of Bill
Oranges remarks, he could have founC
it in his heart to repent of the rebukt
he had administered to the man if Sc
be the information had tended to opel
Jess kilrain's yes to Cardross' du-
plicity.
He assumed that Jess had taxed him
with it and found it real. Naturally
the knowledge would bring her grie1
and resentment. Resentment in time
would palliate the grief. Buck tool
heart of hope.
His hope had little enough to feed
on, but Buck was possessed of a phil
osophy of patience.
Never chase nothin' hat you wants
to come to you." he woul say. Jus,
sit still, but Set a purposes! It's all in
the purpose"
Which was all we'll enough in its
way ii subject to variations. And this
too, Buck knew. One day he tried a
variation.
He saw Jess pass before the stable
door where he sat splicing the moose
end OF a new snake larlat. The halt
VI lIlc DdIu lOl lay OGlWeeU
them, but hearing Bucks voice as he
sang over his work. Jess looked toward
him and nodded CURLY.
Can l go with you, JESSE" the young
COW puncher called.
Jess paused before the open gate of
the lot.
Go where?" she asked, unsmilins
dark eyes upon him.
He looked at her. a CLEAN Of quiz
Zlcal humor lighting his face.
G to-heaven!"
Il amt in the mood for heaven"
she returned.
He rose. lariat and tools in hand, and
I'm willin' to go the other way,
then" he said. Its all one to me.'
Il reckon there's more truth than
religion in that" she told him dryly.
and her lips twitched.
She walked on. however. and he be-
SIDE her. down the slope of the hill and
into the woods that lay behind the
orchard Jess v~ouchsafing few words
on the way. Buck ratified on, rather in
consequently, not because he had MOTH
Ing to say. but because he did not say
1t. and was likewise afraid of Jess ST.
lence.
In a little hollow where the cotton
woods grew tall about a spring Jess
stopped.
Don't you eve try list'nin' some
times. Buck ?" she asked, as she seated
herself on a low stump.
II didn't hear nothin' to listen to,
an plumb hate a funeral, Jess"
one" she flashed. Some folks can't
leave even the dead in peace"
Bucks levity, the stirring of vexation
ne had felt. fell from him Instantly. He
knew the impatient words carried a
confession unforeseen by Jess as she
mad uttered them.
He. too, spoke with undue provision.
noting only how the girls face had
NANCE of ate. how even now she sat.
a ilstlessness SO foreign to her shifting
hiia with keen if unwary compassion.
has 1t hurt you so a as all that,
Jess" he asked gently.
for an instant it seemed that Jess
would not resent the question. For an
instant, indeed. she did not. Then the
threat OF her own weakness gave her
strength-an ungenerous strength. Her
eyes blazed with anger. ).
Mind your own business, Buck
Brannon." she cried. Go back to the
Darn lot where you belong"
But Buck grew suddenly stubbor
at Il and angry. too.
= won't he said. Il meant no
narm. an you know it, Jess Kilrain. an
mats more'n you took care could be
said of hint"
siri n 10 her feet. A
white fury OF passion and indignation
held her dumb. Her hands cienched
tigntly on themselves. Her breath
choked.
c let fall the lariat he had begun
to work upon. appalled, by the result
ne had accomplished. yet still swept by
a righteous anger.
Why does you make me say such
Things to you. Jess?' he demanded.
Why does o treat me like 1 was q
log, when you knows I'd give my life
Tor you? You've flung insults in my
teeth till my mouth is full Of them,
tnough l never meant TO nurt you
Jess laughed Historically.
You're all the same" she cried
Your worse than dogs! A woman
amt safe with no man. I'd lever trust
a snake!"
Buck stopped. and took up his rope
His face vas grim.
Tha what ole Eve thought in the
garden of Eden.' he returned cooly
AN h done 1t an got badly BIT
You're some kin to Eve, I'm q thinkin'
Jess. You better read up bout he,
again an see what her leanin' to sar.
pints done for her"
He walked off, lariat looped over his
MALT barred muscular arm, leaving Jess
watching him. s~peechless.
CHAPTER XXI.
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