The Dolores star., 1918-03-01
CHAPTER ,x-cea.lnssd.

C0Apb &H UN-C00un0o0s
- mo-
Buck got mp 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 II was evident that
his memory was good and that 1t was
working upon the subject which Ward
had suggested to him. He did not give
Ward the weakest imitation Of an ex-
euse to shoot. And 20 the two of them
came presently down upon the level
and passed around the cabin to the
door with no more than ten feet Of
space between them. 20 inexorably had
Ward crowded close upon the others
stumbling progress
.HoA on Q minuter'
Buck stopped a. still - though he
had gone against rock wall.
Ward came closer, and Buck finch.
ID away from the feel Of the ride mug
NE between his shoulder blades. Ward
reached out o cautious hand and pulled
the dx shooter from its holster at
Bucks right hip.
'Got knifef You always used to
20 heeled with one. Speak up and
don't lie about Il"
''Insids my coat" grunted Buck, and
WARDS Lip curied while he reached
around the man's bulky body and found
the knife ln its bather sheath. Rvi.
IDENTIFY Buck was still remembering
with disquieting exactness what rea-
sons Ward might have for wanting to
XIII him.
'-Take down your left hand and open
the door,
Buck did 20 and put his hand up
again without being told.
'Now 60 In and stand with your face
to the wall" with the ride muxsle
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 %
hated to see.
Ward had chosen the spot where he
could reach easily q small coil Of rope.
He kept the rife pressing Bucks shoul-
ders until he had shifted the knife into
one hand. leaned and laid its blade
against Bucks cheek.
"Feel thatf I'll jab II clear through
you II you give mo chance. Drop
your hands down behind you" He
spent q busy minute with the rope be-
fore he pushed Buck Olney roughly to-
ward chair.
Buck sat down, and Ward did q lit
tie more rope work.
"Say. Ward. you're making 4 big
mistake II you"
"Shut up!" snapped Ward. ''Can't
you SEQ I'm standing all I can stand
Just with the sight Of you1 Don't pile
u ON too thick BY letting me hear you
talk. heard you once too often as
Il H."
Buck Olney caught his breath and sat
very stil His eyes followed Ward
as the eyes Of Gagged animal follow
its keeper.
Ward tried to ignore his presence
completely while he lighted flre and
fried bacon and made coffee, but tho
hard Get OF his jaw and the cold In
tentneas 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
WY HuASSI Will lu0 uatESu u6 Lett kOf
the can 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
gteadied him little. That he did not
oner Buck food or drink showed how
intense was his hatred As q rule, your
true range man b 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 douhly sure OF the
mans helpleasness.
Where did you leave your horser'
he asked him eurtly when he was
through.
Buck told him, his eyes searching
Wards face for mercy or at least for
sorne clew to his tate and dulling with
disappointment because he could read
nothing theFe but loathing.
without speaking again Wand went
eat ana closed the door firmly behind
hlA. HA til relieved 10 b away from