The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-05-18
CHAPTER XIV.
PENT-UP WATERS.

SO much Of Workings plan mis-
carrying-for Kilrain had discounten-
anced the initial step upon hearing
Perry Green's story-Jess decided that
she would herself ride over near the
| dam that day and report how the stu
! alton lay.
IF I'm seen, father" she had said
"twon't do no harm, where they would
suspect any of the boys. If no ones
there l can see just as well as a man.
l don't b'lieve they're ready to turn
the water in through the upper locks
yet, though course now they'll guard
the work we'll. So much for not bein'
warned by me bout that slippery eel,
Grange"
But to the girls surprise, when she
had drawn near the new dam, riding
always in the sheltering woods along
the river bank, there was no sign of
any work going on. The stone and
concrete wall blocking the rivers
course lay unguarded, the water pent
up beyond trickling around one corner
Of its base in an improvised channel.
There were no workmen visible.
They had not been able to mislead
Jess as to the object of the expedition
her warning had prohibited, and now
her suspicious stirred. Had Cardross,
informed by the man Grange, and I'M
aware of that fact being suspected,
hands by the semblance of ignorance,
while in reality he only waited to en-
trap the men Of the Loop?
Jess had developed a profound dis
trust of Blass Cardross.
She hitched her horse in the chap
arral, and went boldly out into the
river bed She could vault the little
stream Of water that ran close beside
one bank. Going up to the dam, she
walked about it, finally climbing up
one side until she stood upon its top,
looking down into the big basin.
Across it's dry surface she could see
the comparative abundance Of water.
At that moment Blass Cardross
climbed up on the dam upon which
Jess stood, and came slowly toward her.
They had not met since that event.
full evening in the Skunk Hollow, and
the girl, somewhat startled and an
noyed to be found where she was by
Cardross now, nevertheless quickly
mastered her discontinue. Cardross
was the more Ill at ease of the two,
and the very fact lent a certain gravity
to the occasion. He looked at her In
silence.
II didn't expect to find you here"
said Jess, cor / wouldn't "a come"
1T is a funny place to meet again,
Jess"
He spoke with evident nervousness.
The weeks had not left him without his
own suffering.
Funny! You call this funny place,
Blass Cardross! Does you know what
your funny place is doin' for thousands
OF poor dumb brutes-drivin' 'em to
their slow death for want of that wa
ter your funny work here keeps away
from 'em-keeps away there in abund-
ance! II that's your idea Of fun hope
you can laugh hearty over it."
So unexpected by him had come her
vehement outburst that Cardross for
the instant had nothing to say. His
face clouded painfully. aa
You wouldn't have talked that way
| to me once" he muttered, unthinking.
Jess laughed, ringing contempt for
them both in the sound.
You're dead right there!" she cried,
her voice quivering. There was a
time, Blass Cardross, when / was
plumb fool enough to take you for a
man. / was even drunk enough with
my folly to love you. How you must
"a laughed at me for that! Dreamin'
of bein your wife! Askin' you to
make me SC! How patient you was
with me not TO let the cat out OF the