The silver state. [volume] (Winnemucca, Nev.) 1909-1925, 1918-03-05

~ AhdAn IhCL6 were buIUCleQTIY
ominous to Offset Wards attempt at
f~acetiousness. Indeed, the very weak
ness Of the attempt was In itself omi-
nous. Ward might try to be coldly
malevolent, but the light that burned
In his eyes and the rage that frightened
his lips gave the lie to his forced COM
posure.
He went out and led up the horses
to the door. He came back and started
to unite Buck Oiney'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 battlefield-and wrote
several lines In pencil or the back of 1t.
where the paper was smooth and
white.
"How's thatT he asked, holding up
the paper so that Buck could read
what he had written. II amt In the
mood to sit down and write a whole
book, so I had to boil down your pedi-
gree. But that will do the business all
right, don't you thinkf'
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 1t for me, huhf"
he commented. "Well, we may as well
get started. 1 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 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 ago
when the two were friends.
You know what / told you" Ward
reminded him grimly and took up the
knife with a deadly air that made the
other suck I'm his breath. Hold still
I'm liable to cut your throat If 1 make
a mislick."
Really, Il was the way he did 1t that
made Ii terrible. The thing itself was
nothing. He merely drew the back of
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 have hurt worse. But Buck
groaned and believed he had lost an
ear. He breathed in gasps, but did not
say a word.
go ahead. Talk all you want to,
Buck" Ward invited. and wiped the
knife blade on Bucks shoulder Before
he returned the weapon to its sheath
In his inside coat pocket.
Buck finched from the touch and set
his teeth.
Ward tied his hands before him and
told him to get up and go out to his
horse. Buck obeyed with abject sub
~missiveness, and Wards lip curled
again as he walked behind him to the
door. He had not the slightest twinge
OF pity for the man. He was gloating-
ly glad that be could make him suffer,
and he inwardly cursed his own hu-
manity for being so merciful. He
o'ght I o have cut Bucks ear off slick
and clean instead Of making a bluff at
1t. he told himself disgustedly. Buck
deserved it and more.
He helped Buck into the saddle, took
the short rope In his hands and nobbled
Bucks feet under the horse, grasped
the bride reins and mounted Rather.
Without a word he set off up the rough
trail toward Hardup, leading Bucks
horse behind him.
Before you go, Buck, l want to tell
you that you needn't jolly yourself into
thinking your death will be avenged.
1t won't. You noticed what I wrote.
and there isn't a scrap of my writing
anywhere in the country to catch me
up" Wards thoughts went to Billy
Louise, who had some very good sam
pies, and he stopped suddenly. He
was trying not to think of Billy Louise
today. ALSO when somebody happens
to ride this way and sees you / won't
be anywhere around"
This is the tree" he added. stopping
under a cottonwood that flung a big
branch out over the narrow cow trail
they were travelling. THE chances are
friend Floyd will be ambling around
this way In a day or two" he said
h~earteningly. "He can tend to the last
sad rites and take charge IF your
horca Has Hahla IN ha cora Whan ha