The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1918-03-08

ominous to Offset Wards attempt at
Indeed, the very weak
ness Of the attempt was in itself omi-
nous. Ward might try to be coldly
malev client, but the light that burned
in his eyes and the rage that frightened
his lips gave the lie to his forced com
posture.
He 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 q magazine |
and tore out the which,
oddly enough, was a somber picture OF
Death lowering with outstretched
wings over a battlefeld-and wrote
several lines In pencil on the back OF 1T,
where the paper was smooth and
white
"How's thatY' be asked, holding up
the paper 30 that Buck could read
what he had written. Il amt In the
mood to sit down and write whole
book, so had to boil down your pedi-
gree. But that will do the business all
right, don't you thinkT'
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
snap. Ward laughed grimly, picked
| up the knife and ran his thumb. lightly
over the edge to test its keenness.
Drtt o7rA fDr Inn
he commented. "Well we may as well
get started, 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 corner of
his lip and biting 1t thoughtfully. Then
he took his revolver and held it in his
left hand. while with his right he un-
did the rope which bound Bucks
hands.
"Stlck your hands out In front OF
you" he commanded. "Youn have to
ride ways. There isn't any gallows
tree in walking distance"
For Gods sake, Wardv' Buck 8
voice was hoarse The plea came out
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 age
when the two were friends.
You know what l 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 1t thai
made 1t terrible The thing itself was
nothing. He merely drew the back O.
, and permitted the point to scratch
! through the skin barely enough to lie
out a thin trickle of blood. A pill
, would have hurt worse But Bucl
groaned and believed he had lost a
ear. he breathed In gasps, but did nc
n say a word.
e go ahead Talk all you want t
n Buck" Ward invited, and wiped tn
a knife blade on Bucks shoulder befor
+ he returned the weapon to its sheat
8 In his inside coat pocket.
e Buck flinched from the touch and 81
his teeth.
Ward tied his hands before him an
told him to get up and go out to hi
horse Buck obeyed with abject sui
), missiveness, and Wards lip curle
: again as he walked behind him to tn
!. door, He had not the slightest twing
of. pity for the man. He was gloatine
> ly glad that he could make him suffer
and he inwardly cursed his own hu
: manity for being so merciful. H
), o~ght to have cut Bucks ear off slic
and clean instead Of making a bluff a
> it, he told himself. disgustedly. Buc
= deserved it and more.
> He helped Buck into the saddle, too
:. the short rope in his hands and hobble
Bucks feet under the horse, graspe
!. the bride reins and mounted Rattlel
:, Without word he set Off up the roug
= trail toward Hardup, leading Buck
horse behind him.
: Before you go, Buck, l want to tie
a. you that you needn't jolly yourself int
10 thinking your death will be avenge,
a 1t won't. You noticed what l wrot
n and there isn't scrap of my writin
a anywhere in the country to catch II
10 up" Wards thoughts went to Bill
n Louise, who had some very good san
J. pies, and he stopped suddenly. II
was trying not to think Of Billy Loui:
:. today. ALSO when somebody happier
I, to ride this way and sees you 1 won
- be anywhere around"
This is the tree" he added, stoppin
q under a cottonwood that flung a b
4 branch out over the narrow COW ira
- they were travelling. THE chances al
N friend Floyd will be ambling arour
20 this way in a day or two" he sai
T hearteningly. "He can tend to the la
n sad rites and take charge OF yol
horse. He's liable to be sore when
"a reads your pedigree, but don't recke
that will make a great deal of diffe
=, ence. You'll get buried, all RICH
- Buck"