The Monticellonian., 1918-04-05
CHAPTER X.
"So lonu, Buck!"

w had gone out lOHS dSo, dlIu set
 the dishpan on the stove with water to heat. He remade his bunk, spreading on the army blanket which he took from the saddle on Rattler. He swept the floor as neatly as any woman could have done it and laid two wolf skins down in their places where they did duty as rugs. He washed and wiped his few dishes, keeping Bucks knife always within reach and sending an inquiring glance toward Buck whenever that unhappy man made the slightest movement, though. truth to tell, Buck did not make many. He brought two pails of water and set them on the bench in side, and in the meantime he had cook ed mess of pruneS and set them i'll q bowl on the window sill beside his bunk, where the air was coolest. He stropped his razor painstakingly and shaved himself in leisurely fashion and sent an occasional glance toward his prisoner from the looking glass, which made Buck swallow hard at his Ad- am's apple.
 And Buck during all this time never once opened his lips, except to lick his tongue across them, and never once took his eyes off Ward.
 I've sure put the fear of the Lord into you, haven't l, Buek:" Ward ob- served maliciously, wiping a blob of hairy father upon a page torn from an old mail-order catalogue. II was kind hoping you had more nerve. I wanted to get whack at you just to prove I'm not joshing
 Buck swallowed again, but he made no reply.
 Ward washed his face in basin of steaming water, got can of talcum out of the dish cupboard and took the soap shine off his cheeks and chin. He combed his hair before the little mir TOT, trying unavailingly to take the wave out of it with water and leaving it more crinkly over his temples than it had been in the first place, and re- tied the four-in-hand under the soft collar of his shirt.
 Il wish you'd talk, Buck" he said, turning toward the other. He looked very boyish and almost handsome, ex- cept for the expression of his eyes. which gave Buck the shiyers, and the set of his lips, which was cruel i've read how the Chinks hand out what they call the death-of- a a-thousand-cuts. I was thinking I'd like to try it out on you. But-oh, well, this is Friday. It may as well go as hanging" He made poor job of his calm irony, but Buck was not in the mental condition to be critical.
 The main facts were sufficiently ominous to offset Wards attempt at facetiousness. 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 con- poSure
 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 magazine and tore out the which, oddly enough, was somber picture of Death lowering with outstretched wings over a battlefield 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 II ain't in the mood to sit down and write q whole book, so had to boil down your pedi- gree. But that will do the business all right, don't you thinl:"
 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 it's keenness. Put fresh edge on it for me. huh?" 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 it thoughtfully. Then he took his revolver and held it in his left hand, while with his right he un- did the rope which bound Buck S hands
 Stick your hands out in front of you" he commanded You'll have to