Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-05-03
Chapter VI-CContinued.J

That afternoon Jess saddied her pony
AMI rode along the pain she had walked
with her father upon the night he
had gone forth TO seek her. 1t had
become the path she lsually took, lead
ing across the rolling plains to the dis
tant woods, in which lay the Skunk
Hollow. with It's WILD and tangled ra-
vine.
Tacitly it bad come to be the spot
where Cardross me her almost daily,
and jess knew she would meet him
there his noon.
Ne was waiting for her when she
reached the lutte basin OF the ravine,
and inoRed forward 10 tie her horse by
tue s!De d has own. she saw at once
that his mood was cloudcd, and lie
turned to her with somewhat of re-
proach.
Il began to think You were not COM
ms" he told her. Il used always to
iind you here"
Oddly his reproach was not sweet to
her.
An is it so much for you to wait
Cox me. Blass?"
It's 50 much less thar waiting with
you. Jess"
Yet tha. seems to be what YOU want
-waitin'."
You child!"
She avoided his attempted caress.
y amt Il child, Blass. Don't treat
me like 1 was one
lie put his arm about her.
Sweetheart" he murmured. "Tll
treat YOU like the dearest girl you are
If you just won't be cross with me.
Things have gone badly with me to-
day. Be good to me-"
Yes" She said, releasing herself
from his embrace. Lets talk about
that. Blass. What does you mean to
DO"
He smiled. There was much that vas
endearing bou Blass Cardross.
You are in the camp of the enemy.
Jess"
but I amt an enemy. I think ia
tler made a mistake in what he done.
He thinks so himself"
Cardross' face hardened. He misun-
derstood the admission she made.
"He will have to abide by it,"
he is willin' to. but 1 Amt willin'
TO have him. Blass. I'm goin' to man
"You!" Cardross exclaimed.
Sure" she said: but no one but
you must NOV it,"
lie watched her, a generous admira-
ton kindling in his eyes.
But how. sweetheart"
Never mind how. lust give me-
just give me till tomorrow"
OF a truth he was not sorry to have
the excuse of humoring her to delay
his own action.
The shadows heightened in the woods
above them. In the deeper obscurity of
the ravine the dank odors of the APP
preaching evening stole about them.
heavy weighted, lulling, touched with
mystery.
So still they were that the wild
Things or the woods, curious squirrels. |
aud sensitively shifting rabbits, crept
out from cover. Drawing the human
presence.
HNOI .1so ~ lace ~ |
Why else should / be here. Blassm"
But She started at the indistinct
sounds of Il horses tread somewhere in /
tha forest above them. standing with |
aer hand tight upon Cardross's arm
until it had died away. The man. too.
nag stralghtened as he listened, the
echolne call of the horses rider COM
ing to them family as he ~galloped on.
luck Brannon," said less, and the
shadow in her eyes was not happy.
OF ri. the men of the Loop | hate
hiin worst" m'ittered Cardross. I'm
wisely, he added: Don't trust that
!nan, Jess. His tongue should be cut !
out"
Tic sirl drew away a revulsion she
did not seek to comprehend Selling
her.
Why should . fear Buck Brannon
or n mani" she asked. a proud
said to o bout me. Blass"
Too late he saw his error, protest.
ing vainly that she misunderstood: j
that Buck had a nothing about
them. ~
Jess would not be treasured.
He's right. he's right" she cried
siionately. Why does you make me
teal out here to meet you so, Blasso"
Gould you come to my house?" he
asked. Can l go to yours as things
are with me On Earle WORKINGS
place? Steal here, Jess! Have we not
a right to our w that all the world
must be asked it's favor?"
Jess shook her head.
AT least" she .aid, after a mo-
ment. I'm goin' to tell your sister.
Blass."
Not Il y?H really love me, Jess"
he pleaded. Nance is FOND of you, but
she is terribly jealous of me. See how
she a turned against even Earle
Worthing, whom she loved! Can't Won
trust me-, Jess. to managed best until
the right time comes? Do you doubt
my love-"
He drew her TO him. kissing her on
the mouth. murmuring .he incoheren-
that we're yet so elq 4uent, holding
her to linn until abruptly he himself
her and stood back. fearful
of himself. white and GREATNESS.
Jess CROPPED her way blinGly to her
her breath like sobs in her tense
throat. Blindly h got into her saddle
and rode away, nor did Cardross seek
to call her back.
Could she doubt his love!
Could she trust her own!
CHAPTER VII.