Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1896-10-08
CHAPTER XXI.


Next to his fear and hatred for Bran
don was that entertained for Henry
Kyle. The unprinciplcd always hate
those whom they fail TO destroy. The
death Of Patch gave Bouton a good ex-
cuse to influence his men against the
man whom they had hitherto admired
fer his addr, s. and daring, and rs fel-
lows Of his class always think i'll crowds
they soon worked themselves into ha-
tired Of Henry Kyle that found an outlet
i'll oaihs that were loud if not deep
1t was understood that an active cam
paign would be begun on the morrow,
and in anticipation of it the outlaws
cleaned their rifles, sharpened their
knives and cast bullets by the fire. The
slender, picturesque forms Of the 1ndi-
ans, the leaping flames and polished,
G.sshing arms, made u picture that Alice
L.anchard never forgot. She was sit
ting on the ground talking in low tones
to Nora Kyle and gazing now and then
In the direction where she knew Louis
to be when shadow fell on the ground
between them and looking up she saw
Bouton.
Good evening, ladies'" he said,
removing his hat and bowling defcron-
TALLY. II am sorry that cannot make
you more comfortable. F"
but you can make US more comfort
able said Alice sternly.
"Then command me, for I have the
homer to be your most obedient serv-
ant" and as he spoke he turned his
face so that the light from the distant
fire fell on his white teeth and made
them cruelty conspicuous.
Seeing that he wanted her TO speak,
Alice said
81 did not mean to say what / did
"But you had a right to. / repeat,
what is it can do to add to the COM
fort Of either?'
Leave US to ourselves. replied AL
ice.
"Ah, you are cruel, but l shall not
be- F" Bouton tried TO laugh, but the
girls were struck with the harsh, metal
lie ring of his voice II fear that you
blame me- he went ON, "for the IN
convenience you have been subjected to.
You will not believe me II tell you
that / alono have saved you from worse
treatment.
"Are you not the loader Of these
these
"Say robbers or whatever you will,
Miss Blanchard, and I'll confess that l
am their leader. II were not, az said
before, your fate would be worse. And
1 intend using my power for your con-
tinued safety, though l know you will
not believe me"
Bouton threw himself ON the grass,
and at that moment fresh fuel added to
the nearest fire lit up the scene, 80 that
they could see each other plainly.
Eyes, you think am very bad. Miss
Blanchard, and she thinks am very
bad. Is not that truef'
1T is. replied Alice.
II know that, and yet, Miss Blanch-
ard, am not a Cain. You have l:card
Of Cain, but am not one. I have nev-
CT made my hands red with brothers.
blood. Do you understand that, Miss
Nora?'
The story Of her fathers lifs-his
life secret and Life torture-dashed
through Nora Kyle's brain, and she
would have fallen had not Alice's arm
been around her.
81 know nothing about you. want
TO know nothing" Nora managed to
gasp. In her pure, gentle heart she i'm
agined this man a wizard, who by some
occult means had possessed himself OF
her fathers secret.
Il do not wish to tell yon Of myself.
only 80 far as my life Is conneQted with
yours. I knew your father before you
were born, before he came to these
mountains to hide from the world /
know why he did come, yet / have nev-
er tried to harm him, never thought Of
giving his secsct to the world There
are others searching for your father, and
il I went with them it was not because
wished them to succeed You blame
Inc, but on your knees you would thank
me if you Knew what / had done, what
have prevented beingAona.
IF you have been 50 very good. said
Alice Blanchard. breaking in on his
special pleading. why Is 1t you keep
US and Mr.. Louis Kyle prisonersi"
"That is proper question and wish
I could explain 1t, for do not wish to
be misunderstood. But though seem to
be. am not my own master. There are
others who direct. / must pretend to
submit to their wishes that / may be
able to protect you both from harm. |"
said Bouton, with great affectation OF
sincerity and candor.
"You cannot defend yourself with
mysteries" said Alice. u cannot be
lievo you unless yon explain all. "
Explain all, Miss Blanchard"
"That is what said"
We'll, am willing to explain all !"
He drew nearer to Nora and asked. in a
theatrical whisper, "Are you willing
that should explain allr'
mo, noi' she half shrieked. Leave
me; for heavens sake, leave me. or
kill mer'
II will not kill you. would rather
kill myself. will leave you for the
night When we march on the morrow.
Miss Kyle, I will speak with you again
I 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 campAreR He coiled him
self up in q blanket and was asleep In n
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 for
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 a
deluge 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 Alioe'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 back
and talk to him for an hour or two. To
this the poor girl consented for her
brothers sake She bad 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 IL In bia ro1uor IN leoalIv do