Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-24

CHAPTER NNIH.
CHECKMATE,.

ing AT Buck. her startled eyes unwav-
ering. Withou, noticing Worthing, she
came farther into the room.
5 you wouldn't do what l asked
you" she cried. You wouldn't keep
quiet when l asked you to-"
Worthing caught the half-smothered
words. He gave Buck no han to re-
ply to them.
Sit down. Jess"
Command rang in the tones, kindly
pu firm. Almost unconsciously. Jess
obeyed it. Worthing drew up his own
chair.
Jess he said, and he looked clear
ly into the girls eyes as he spoke,
Buck has told me nothing of what
happened today except what has on
cerned himself. l now no details. l
do not want TO know them"
He leaned closer to her, lowering his
voice TO a whisper. Il want silence to
rest on 1T alias silence has rested on
what has gone before"
Buck had risen, and moved over to
the open window. the first touch of
bitterness at his fate assailing him. He
meant that no word of his should ever
involve Jess Kilrain's name. Yet her
seeming mistrust of him wounded Buck
in his tenderest spot.
In the silence of the room he heard
her question to Worthing: What has
he told you?"
That he blew up the dam-that 1t
was he, not Blass Cardross."
Buck could not d ubt the relief in
the girls next words: An that is
all?" she cried. He said no more thar
that"
Before Worthing could answer, Buck
stood beside him.
you shall not lie for me. Worthing."
he said and turned. facing Jess. Il told
him l shot Blass Cardross an then
blew up the dam. Jess. There'd been
q long grudge atween US two. l went
over there meanin' mischief. l went
a-purpose. mad at seem the sufferin'
Of the cattle on the Loop. An havin'
done what / done, l mean to make a
clean breast of just what l lone to-
morrow fore the law"
Silent. wide-eyed in a palsying ter
ror, the girl looked int his face. You
won't do that!" she cried at length.
You won't let him do that, Earle
Worthing! 1t would mean they'd hang
you. Buck!"
"P'r'aps!" he assented. They've hung
men for less an let 'em off for more.
I'll take what's comm to me-"
Then Worthing expostulated. plead
ed. exhausted It's powers Of persua-
ion. Buck remained firm.
There amt nothin' else I wouldn't
do for you, Worthing." he protested,
swaying by an emotion that trembled
in his voice. Il can't do this. I'd de-
spise myself forever for a coward.
dross knows We was enemies. We all
most come to blows before her wunst.
But I've always faced the music, an /
amt goin' to live a lie now"
He stood for a moment, head bent,
showing the effort it cost him to hold
his own against Workings pleas. He
Strengthened suddenly.
81 prkOn miqht az yyall ha ro,p,
now" he murmured. This is worse
n hangin' already-if hang I've got
to-"
He moved toward the door. but, on
the instant, Jess Kilrain. who had sat
watching him a strange warning Of
emotions in her white face, sprang
from her chair. calling to him to stop.
i've somethin' to say" she cried.
"Lissen to me. both of you: You know
] loved Blass Cardross. For many
months ] loved him, thinkin' all the
time he loved me, too. a N was goin' to
make me his wife. You know. Earle
Worthing. how far that dream was
from the truth. Day after day, week
after week. month after month. he kept
pttin' me off-an' still. like the fool I
was. didn't see. didn't guess-never
feckoned he was the man he was till
that day you know Of when you
knocked him down in the Skunk Hol-
low for what he said.
h knew-knew what q fool I'd
been. an how he'd lied to me, turin
5He on. foOlin' me, waitin' always for
tls hour. l hated him then-like a
woman hates whose been treated so.
My lips burned with the mem'ry of his
kisses. l hated myself. I hated every
on who ook at me. / hated you.
Buck Hrannon. for DARN to say to me
the things you said"
She moved quietly forward until she
stood before them.
hadn't seen him until TODAY
over there on h dam. I hadn't known
tai then how lead my love vas or how
like q fire. He saw then he'd lost me
torever-lost what he wanted Of me-
en- the devil in him came out"
She faced Worthing only now.
"BucK Srannon tells you that he
shot Blass Cardross dead" she cried.
Tie lies, He Hes to save me! Ask
him if I did not strike that man cross
the face with my Quirt. Ask him IL
We didn't struggle on the dam. But
b'lieve him when he says he shot
.BMys, Cardross.
"sTwas me that done 1t. an sent him
dead over the wall after he'd threat
.ened to kill me an insulted me worse
@ the law an says he done It, I'll go,
.f6o. an itll be his word 'gainst mine.
~, It'll be me they viii believe
'aWear it to G0d!"
M ceased, heaving breath catching
~ her throat, looking from n to the
ofher ~ they watched her In dumb.
ssna1ement. Before they could speak
~ top her she hrd gone.
CHAPTER XXX.
RUsHINa WATERS.
1SasS ~ Alone In his cabin &c lay
Saeassthinking q ~ that less Ki-