Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1918-01-29
CHAPTER discontinued.

Buck got up awkwardly and went
stumbling down the steep slope with
his hands trembling in the air upon
either side of his head. From their
nervous quivering it was evident that
his memory was good and that it was
working upon the subject which Ward
had suggested to him. He did not give
Ward the weakest imitation of an ex-
cuse to shoot. And so the two of them
came presently down upon the level
and passed around the cabin to the
door with no more than ten feet OF
space between them, so inexorably had
Ward crowded close upon the others
stumbling progress.
Hold on minute"
Buck stopped as still as though he
had gone against rock wall.
Ward came closer, and Buck finch
ed away from the feel of the rifle muz-
zle between his shoulder blades. Ward
reached out cautious hand and pulled
the six shooter from its holster at
Bucks right hip.
Got a knife? You always used to
go heeled with one. Speak up and
don't lie about it,
Inside my coat" grunted Buck, and
Wards lip curled while he reached
around the mans bulky body and found
the knife in it's leather sheath. Evil
IDENTITY Buck was still remembering
with disquieting exactness what rea-
sons Ward might have for wanting to
kill him.
IT, IL InP
the door"
Buck did so and put his hand up
again without being told.
Now go in and stand with your face
to the wall" With the rifle muzzle
Ward indicated which wah He no.
ticed how Bucks fingers CROPPED and
trembled against the wall, just under
the caves, and his lip curled again in
the expression which Billy Louise so
hated to see.
Ward had chosen the spot where he
could reach easily small coil of rope
He kept the rifle pressing Bucks Shout
ders until he had shifted the knife into
one hand, leaned and laid its blade
against Bucks cheek.
Feel that? III jab it clear through
you if you give me a chance. Drop
your hands down behind you" He
spent a busy minute with the rope be-
fore he pushed Buck Olney roughly to-
ward chair
Buck sat down, and Ward did a lit
tie more rope work.
Say, Ward, you're making a big
mistake if you"
shut up" snapped Ward. Cant
you see I'm standing ell l can stand
just with the sight Of you? Don't pile
ii On too thick by letting me hear you
talk. heard you once too often as
ii IS"
Buck Olnsy caught his breath and sat
very still. His eyes followed Ward
as the eyes of Gagged animal follow
its keeper
Ward tried to ignore his presence
completely while he lighted a fire and
fried bacon and made coffee, but the
hard set of his jaw and the cold in
tentness of his eyes proved how con-
scious he was of Bucks presence. He
tried to eat just to show how calm he
was. but the bread and bacon choked
him. He could feel every nerve in his
body CULVER with the hatred he felt for
the man and the bitterness which the
sight OF him called up out of the past
He drank four cups of coffee. black
and sweetened at random, which
steadied him little. That he did not
offer Buck food or drink showed how
intense was his hatred, As a rule, your
true range man is hospitable even to
his enemies.
He rose and inspected the ropes to
make sure that they were proof against
twisting, straining muscles Snd took
an extra turn or two with the loose
end just to make doubly sure of the
mans helplessness.
Where did you leave your horse? p
he asked him CURLY when he was
through.
Buck told him. his eyes searching
Wards face for mercy or at least fol
some clew to his fate and dulling with
disappointment because he could read
nothing there but loathing.
Without speaking again Ward went
out and closed the door firmly behind
him. He felt relieved to be away from
Bucks presence. AS he climbed the
bluff and mentally relived the last
hour he wondered how he had kept
from shooting Buck as soon as he saw
him. Still. that would have defeated
his main purpose, which was TO make
Buck suffer. He was afraid he CoulC
not make Buck suffer as Buck haC
made him suffer because there were
obstacles in the path of a perfect retri
button.
Ward was not cruel by nature-a
least he was not more cruel than the
rest of uS-hut as he went after Rat
tier and Bucks horse it pleased him I,
know that Buck 0lney was tied hanG
and foot IN his cabin and that he wa
sick with dread of what the futur,
held Tor him
Ward was gone an hour. He did no
hurry: there was nc need Buck coult
not get away, and a little suspens,
would do him good.
Bucks face was pasty when War;
opened the door. His eyes were bi
CLASSY. And from the congested ap
pearance of his hands Ward judged
that be had tested to the full his help
leSSneSs in his bonds. Ward looked a
him minute and got out the making
of smoke. His mood had changet
in his absence. He no longer wantes
absolute silence between them; insteat