American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-03-29

if
lie went out and led up the horses
to the door. He came back and started
to unite Buck Olney's feet. then be-
thought him Of the statement he had
promised to write. He got a magazine
and tore out the frontispiece-which,
oddly enough, was a somber picture Of
Death lowering with Outstretched
wings over a battleheld-and wrote
several lines in pencil on the back of it.
where the paper was smooth and
white.
"How's that;" he asked. holding up
the paper so that Buck could read
what he had written. Il amt in the
mood to sit down and write a whole
book, SO ! had to boil down your pedi-
gree. But that will do the business all
right. don't you think?''
Buck read with staring eyes. looked
into Wards face and opened his lips
for protest or pleading. Then he fol-
lowed Wards glance to the knife on
the table and shut his mouth with a
snap. Ward laughed grimly. picked
up the knife and ran his thumb lightly
over the edge to test its keenness.
Put a fresh edge on it for me, huh?'
he commented. "Well, we may as well
get started. l reckon. I'm getting al
mighty sick of seeing you around"
He loosened the rope that bound
Buck to the chair and stood scowling
down at him. drawing in a corner of
his lip and biting it thoughtfully. Then
he took his revolver and held it in his
left hand, while with his right he I'M
did the rope which bound Bucks
hands.
stick your hands out in front Of
YOU he commanded. you'll have to
ride a ways. There isn't any gallows
tree in walking distance"
For Gods sake. Wardr' Bucks
voice was hoarse. The plea came u
of its own accord. He held his hands
before him, however, and he made no
attempt to get out Of the chair. He
knew Ward could shoot all right with
his left hand. you see. He had watch
ed him practice on tin cans long ago
when the two were friends.
You know what I told you" Ward
reminded him grimly and took up the
knife with a deadly air that made the
other suck in his breath. Hold still
I'm liable to cut your throat if l make
: a mislick."
Really, 1t was the way he did it that
made it terrible. The thing itself was
nothing. He merely drew the back of
I the blade down alongside Bucks ear
, and permitted the point to scratch
+ through the skin barely enough to let
: out a thin trickle OF blood. A pin
. would nave hurt worse. But Buck
groaned and believed be had lost an
ear. He breathed In gasps, but did not
say a word.
e GO ahead. Talk all you want to
d Buck" Ward invited. and wiped the
n knife blade on Bucks shoulder before
he returned the weapon to its sheath
s in his inside coat pocket.
g Buck hinched from the touch and Sc
his teeth.
Ward tied his hands before him anC
told him to get up and go out to hi:
horse. Buck obeyed with abject sub
~missiveness, and Wards lip curlec
b again as he walked behind him to the
uOOE ne udu uOL TIE GilEnltSl ~ ulkt
b Of pity for the man. He was gloating
ly glad that he could make him suffer
and he inwardly cursed his own hu
mainly for being so merciful. HI
y o"ght to have cut Bucks ear of slicl
d and lean instead of making a bluff a
IS it. he told himself disgustedly. BucI
deserved it and more.
He helped Buck into the saddle. tool
n the short rope in his hands and hObbleC
Bucks feet under the horse. graspeC
the bride reins and mounted Rather
Without a word he set off up the rough
trail toward Hardup, leading Buck
If horse behind him.
Before you go. Buck. l want to tel
<. you that you needn't jolly yourself int
a thinking your death will be avenged
1t won't. You noticed what l wrote
Le and there isn't a scrap OF my writin.
anywhere in the country to catch m,
up Wards thoughts went TO Bill,
is Louise. who had some very good sam
h pies, and he stopped suddenly. H
i. was trying not to think of Billy Louis
today. also when somebody happen
p to ride this way and sees you l won
is be anywhere around"
This is the tree" he added. stoppinl
under a cottonwood that flung a BIZ
branch out over the narrow COW trai
b. they were travelling. The chances ar
NJ friend Floyd will be ambNng aroun,
this way in a day or two he salt
as hearteningly. He can tend to the las
sad rites and take charge Of you
10 horse. He's liable to be sore when b
reads your pedigree. but l don't reckon
70 that will make a great deal of differ
ence. You'll get buried. all right
a Buck"
Ward dismounted with a most bust
!, nesslike manner and united Buck Oh
ney's rope from the saddle. II can
spare mine" he explained laconically
: He had seine trouble IN fashiOning