Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1916-05-11

would palliate the grief. Buck took
heart Of hope.
His hope had little enough to feed
on. but Buck was possessed of a phil
osophy Of patience.
Never chase nothin' that you wants
to come to YOU" he would say. Just
sit still, but set a %purpose! It's all in
the purpose"
Which was all we'll enough in it's
way IL 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 larla1. The half
distance of the barn lot lay between
them, but hearing Bucks voice as he
sang over his work. Jess looked toward
him and nodded CURLY.
Can go with you, JESSE" the young
COW puncher called.
the lot.
Go where?" she asked, unsmiling
dark eyes upon him.
He looked at her, a gleam Of quiz
zical humor lighting his face.
Go to-heaven!"
Il amt in the noe for heaven"
she returned.
He rose, lariat and tools in hand, and
moved toward her.
I'm willin' to go the other way,
then" he said. It's 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 ana
n 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
IT, and was likewise afraid of Jess ST.
lence.
In a little hollow where he cotton
woods grew tall about a spring Jess
stopped.
Don't you ever 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 l plumb hate a funeral, Jess"
NO n asked you Ato attend this
one" she flashed. Some folks can't
leave even the dead in peace"
BUCKS levity, the stirring Of vexation
he had felt, fell from him Instantly. He
knew the impatient words carried a
confession unforeseen by Jess as she
had uttered them.
He. too, spoke with undue provision.
noting only how the girls face had
changed of ate. how even now she sat,
a Hstlessness so foreign to her shifting
MIN with keen If unwary compassion.
has 1t hurt you so bad as all that,
JESSE" he asked gently.
for an instant 1t seemed hat Jess
would not resent the question. For an
instant, indeed. she did not. Then the
threat OF her own weakness gave her
strehsth-an ~ungenerous strength, Her
eyes blazed with anger.
Mind your own business, Buck
Brannon," she cried. 60 back to the
parn lot where you belong"
BuC Bllck grew cI1lopJ1 r{,,Jl.,-
at that, and angry, too.
Il won't" he said. II meant no
Marin, am you know it, Jess Kilrain, an
thats more'n you took care could be
said of him!p
The girl bounded to her feet. A
mliiIe Iury OF passion n indignation
held her dumb. Her hands clenched
tightly on themselves. Her breath
choked.
Buck let fall the lariat he had begun
TO work upon, appalled, by the result
ne mad accomplished, yet still swept by
a righteous anger.
why does o make me say such
tllngs TO you, JESSE" he demanded.
why does you treat me like L was a
dog, when you knows I'd give nv life
for you? You've flung insults in nv
teeth TIL my mouth is full Of them,
tnough l never meant to nurt YOU
back" 80
49," ."usAsu llySterlcally.
you're all the same" she cried.
You're worse than dogs! A woman
amt safe with no nan I'd lever trust
a snake!'
Buck stopped. and took up his rope.
His face was grim.
That's what ole Eve thought in the
garden of Eden" he returned cooly.
an she done it an got badly bit.
You're some kin TO Eve, I'm a thinkin..
Jess. o better read up bout her
pints done for her"
He walked off, lariat Topped over his
half barred muscular arm. leaving Jess
watching him, s%peechless.