The Monticellonian., 1918-04-05
CHAPTER Ix-Continued.

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 caae 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- gle between his shoulder blades. Ward reached out cautious hand and pulled the six shooter from it's holster at Bucks right hip.
 "Got 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 eurled while he reached around the mans bulky body and found the knife ill it's leather sheath. Evi- dently Buck was still remembering with disquieting exactness what req sons Ward might have for wanting to kill him.
 Take down your left hand and open 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 wall He mo- ticed how Bucks fingers groped 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 a small coil of rope He kept the rihe pressing Bucks shoul- ders until he had shifted the knife into one hand, leaned and laid its blade against Bucks cheek.
 Feel that? I'll jab it clear through you if you give me a chance Drop your hands down behind you" He spent busy minute with the rope be- fore he pushed Buck Olney roughly to- ward a chair.
 Buck sat down, and Ward did lit tie more rope work.
 Say, Ward. you're making big mistake If you-'
 hIt you see I'm standing all 1 can stand just with the sight of you? Don't pile it on too thick by letting me hear you talk. I heard you once too often as it is.''
 Buck Olney caught his breath and sat very still. His eyes followed Ward as the eyes of caged animal follow its keeper.
 Ward tried to ignore his presence completely while he lighted 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 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 and 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?" he asked him curtly when he was through.
 Buck told him, his eyes searching Wards face for mercy or at least for 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 could not make Buck suffer as Buck had made him suffer because there were obstacles in the path of perfect retri- button.
 Ward was Eot cruel by natare-at least he was not more cruel than the rest of us-but as he went after Rat tier and Bucks horse it pleased him to know that Buck Olney was tied hand