Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1896-06-30

L. "
tmtend using my power for your con-
tinued safety. though know you viii
not believe me-
: Bouton threw himself ON the grass,
and 1t That moment fresh fuel added to
the nearest fire Lit up the scene, SO that
hey could 90 each other plainly.
"Tes. vou think / am very. bad, Miss
Blanchard. ana she thinks I am very
bad Il not that true:''
ut u.s." replied Alice.
81 know that, and yet, Miss Bianch.
ard, am not Cain. You have heard
Of Cain, hut I am not one. have new
IT made my hands red with . brothers
blood. Do you understand that, Miss
Nora?''
The story Of her fathers life-his
life secret and life torture-hashed
through Nora Kyle's brain. and she
would have fallen had not Alice's arm
been around her.
II know nothing about you. want
70 know nothing" Nora managed to
gasp. In her pure. gentle heart she inn
agined this man wizard, who by some
occult means had possessed himself Of
her fathers secret.
II do not wish to tell you Of myself.
only 80 far rs my life is connected with
yours ] knew your father before you
were born, before he came to these
mountains to hide from the world I
know why he did come, yet have new
er tried to harm him, never thought Of
giving his secret to the world. There
are others searching for your father, and
II went with them it was not because
] wished them to succeed. You blame
me, but on your knees you would thank
me IL you knew what I had done, what
I have prevented being done"
IF You have been SO very good, said
Alice Blanchard, breaking in on his
special pleading. "why is it you keep
rs and Mr.. Louis Kyle prisoners?"
That is q proper question and wish
I could explain it, for do not wish to
be Misunderstood But though seem to
be, ! am not my own master There are
others who direct. I naust pretend to
submit to their wishes that I may be
able to protect you both from harm, :"
said Bouton, with a great affectation Of
sincerity and candor.
"You cannot defend yourself with
mysteries. " said Alice. 81 cannot be-
lieve you unless you explain all"
Explain all. Miss Blanchard?"
"Thnt is what said"
"well, am willing to explain all. :"
he drew nearer to Nora and asked, in a
theatrical whisper. "Are you willing
that should explain alp,
''No, nov she half shrieked. Leave
me; for heavens sake, leave me, CT
kill mev'
II will not kill you. I would rather
kill myself. Twill leave you for the
night. When we march on the morrow,
Mrs Kyle, I will speak with you again.
will tell you something that is near to
my heart"
Bouton rose and bowed, then went
back to where the men were lying
around the campfires He coiled him.
self mp in q blanket and was asleep in a
short time. Sim Bliss tried to initiate
him. but though he had grown more
and more weary every day since coming
into this country, his narrow brain was
too much crowded with thought fol-
him to get much satisfactory sleep.
Before daylight the next morning the
camp was astir. While some prepared
food others loaded the pack mules and
saddled the horses, duties that seemed
to require great deal Of shouting and q
delugc Of profanity. The prisoners were
served with food as before and Font
Robb brought up horses for Alice and
Nora, when Bouton offered to assist
them to their saddles.
At Alice's request Louis Kyle was
permitted to ride beside them. But be.
fore Bouton would agree to this request
he made Nora promise that some time
\ during the march she would drop bacl
and talk to him for an hour or two. To
this the POOR girl consented for hel
brothers sake. She had the greatest
horror Of this man now that she felt he
knew her fathers secret. Innocent Of
the worlds ways and fearful that Bou.
ton had it in his power to legally de-
stroy her father and all the family, she
would willingly die il called on for thu
sacrifcc to save them.
She wanted an opportunity to tel
Louis that Bouton knew their awful 50
Get. bat Bouton staid 30 near that shs
/ g.