Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1918-06-21
CHAPTER Ix-cOnsInusd.

CHAP TEH lN-Contlnued.
-
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 IL 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
came 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 a minutel'
Buck stopped as still as though he
had gone against a rock WALL
Ward came closer. and Buck finch
ed away from the feel Of the rifle mug
xle between his shoulder blades Ward
reached out a cautious hand and pulled
the six shooter from its holster at
Bucks right hip.
SCOT a knifel You always used to
90 hecled with one. Speak up and
don't lie about IL"
Inside my coat" grunted Buck, and
Wards lip curled while he reached
around the mans bulky body and found
the knife IN its leather sheath. Evi-
IDENTIFY Buck was still remembering
with disquieting exactness what rea-
sons Ward might have for wanting to
kin him.
take down your left hand and open
the door"
Buck did 50 and put his hand up
again without being told.
snow 20 in and stand with your face
to the wall With the rifle muzzle
Ward indicated which wall He no
ticed how Bucks fingers groped and
trembled against the wall jnst 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 small coil of rope.
He kept the rifle pressing Bucks shoul-
ders until he had shifted the knife into
one hand. leaned and laid its blade
against Bucks cheek.
"Feel that7 iii jab it clear through
you II you give me a chance. Drop
your hands down behind you" He
spent a busy minute with the rope be-
fore be pushed Buck Olney roughly to-
ward a chair.
Buck sat down. and Ward did lit
tie more rope work.
Say, Ward. you're making a big
mistake II you"
shut upr' snapped Ward. Cant
you see I'm standing all can stand
just with the sight of you? Don't pile
Il on too thick by letting me hear you
talk l heard you once too often as
1t is"
Buck Olney caught his breath and sat
very still. His eyes followed Ward
as the eyes Of a Gagged animal follow
Its keeper.
Ward tried to ignore his presence
completely while he lighted a 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. HI
tried to eat just to show how calm ht
was. but the bread and bacon choket
him. He could feel every nerve In biz
body quivar with the hatred he felt 70,
the man and the bitterness which til,
sight OF him called UP out Of the past
He drank four cups Of coffee. blacl
and sweetened at random. whic'
steadied him little. That be did no
offer Buck food or drink showed how
intense was his hatred. AS rule, you
true range man is hospitable even t
his enemies.
He rose and inspected the ropes {
make sure that they were proof agains
twisting. straining muscles and too
an extra turn or two with the loos
end just to make doubly sure of tn
mans helplessness.
where did you leave your horse
he asked him curtly when he wa
through.
Buck told him. his eyes searchin
Wards face for mercy or at least fc
some clew to his fate and dulling wit
disappointment because he could rea
HOInlnK there UuI iONIUinE.
without speaking again Ward wer
out and closed the door firmly benin
him. He felt relieved to be away frol
Bucks presence. AS he climbed IL
blur and mentally relived the La
hour he wondered how he had keI
from shooting Buck as soon as he sa
him. Still, that would have defeate
~. fnl, 20 A
Buck suffer. He was afraid he coul
not make Buck suffer as Buck ht
made him suffer, because there we
obstacles In the path of a perfect retl
button.
Ward was not cruel by nature
least he was not more cruel than q
rest of us-but as he went after Ra
tier and Bucks horse 1t pleased him
know that Buck Olney was tied hal
and foot In his cabin and that he W
sick with dread of what the futu
held for him.
Ward was gone an hour. He did n
hurry; there was no need. Buck cou
not get away, and a little suspen
would do him good.
Bucks face was pasty when Wa
opened the door, His eyes were a
CLASSY. And from the congested Q
pearance OF his hands Ward Judg
that he had tested to the full his he
Iessness in his bonds. Ward looked
aim a minute and got out the maxim
OF a smoke. His mood had chang
IN his absence. He no longer want
absolute silsSos between them; inste