Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-11-13

he had sunk down, exhausted, and
said:
Il beg you win not inconvenience
yourself. The house is small. It is
very thoughtless OF me to ask shelter,
but If you will let me lie on this lounge
until to-morrow-until can get where
| can have my arm set
do not speak thus" interrupted
Kate, her face flashing as she spoke.
I'VE should be churlish, indeed, TO re-
fuse anyone in your position what
comfort we Ear afford. You are almost
i'll now. Will you follow me up
stairs?"
The stranger, looking at Kate as she
spoke, could not refuse to accede to
her request. Without saying another
word he ros and followed her.
His head vas light and dizzy, and he
was obliged TO lean against the wall for
a moment on his way up the stairs.
Dick Burt stood in surly silence as
the two left the room; he could not
make up his mind to lend his help. He
almost wished he had left the mar out
on the beach alone.
"But he may have a fever and die"
he thought, with a bitter smile. Its
plain 1t was a surprise TO him to see a
girl like Kate in a place like this"
He stood silent while he heard Kate
&c into her fathers room and rouse the
old man. Then she came down stairs,
and, without looking at Burt, she
asked:
win you go over to the village for a
doctor, Dick? The gentleman's arm
must be set Immediately; and I'm
afraid he'll have a fever"
Instead of replying, Dick came near
er, and said:
What do you think of him?"
She loked at him in establishment.
What do you mean? What do /
think of him."
Eyes. Exactly that. Can't you tell
me?" persisted Dick.
Il don't think anything of him, save
that he seems like a gentleman" she
said, and added: "Will you go?"
Something in. her manner treasured
Burt. He moved toward the door, say
ing:
Eyes, I'll go; but, if I don't mistake,
he'll want his horse taken care OF
first"
Father will attend to the horse; do
go. directly" she said, earnestly.
Dick turned back from the door.
Emboldened by her kind manner, he
came near her aid took her band.
Had he possessed a trifle more pene-
tration, he would never have said what
he did.
Before / go. Kate. just give me a
kiss-only one. You always are SO
awful hard to me, Kate"
The girl gazed at him In astonish.
ment. She withdrew her hand, but
lot abruptly. She almost thought he
had been drinking.
mo; why should I kiss your" she
said. you talk strangely; I'm not
hard to you. Will you go now?
Dick looked at her hungrily for a mo-
ment, then turned away and left the
house without saying anything more,
Meanwhile Purcell had risen, had
listened to mis- daughters hurried
words of explanation, and had gone
into the room into which she had
shown the stranger, while she made a
fire and heated blankets and drinks,
knowing we'll that the man stood In
great danger of a fever.
The girl had not been in bed that
night. She had sat up waiting anx-
icusly through the storm for her faith
er's return. She distrusted Richard
Burt's influence, but she could not tell
why. She had no idea of the business
that led them out so often in the mid
die of the night.
All these thoughts, mingled with
some curiosity concerning the strang-
| er, were in her mind, as she rapidly
prepared a hot drink.
In a few minutes her father came
down stairs after the blankets she had
by the stove.
HAS Dick gone for the doctor?" he
asked.
Eyes. Will the gentleman be ILL.,"
"I'm afraid SO. Bring up that drink
in a few minutes. Did you say he
knew who he wns?"
'sNo-nothing about him"
Nor where Dick found him?" with
a quick hope in his heart rnat it had
rot been near that one spot which was
so in his thoughts.
"No-only that it was on the beach
somewhere"
Purcell went up stairs. When Kate
followed with the steaming herb tea,
the young nan was lying in bed
wrapped heavily In blankets. There
was q deep flush on his face and his
| eyes were unnaturally brilliant.
He drank the tea without a word, and
spoke only to ask about his horae,
whereupon Purcell Immediately left
! the room to attend to the animal,
which he found standing close by the
door.
When Kate turned to leave, also. the
stranger saiG:
Have you any objection to coming
close to the bedside? I have a fancy
that the pain will be easier with you
near me. and my arm aches intoler-
ably"
Kate was surprised at his words, but
she already regarded him Is Ill, and
IN treats a sick person much as one
does a child,
She approached the bed and bent
over him, saying. softly:
II wish that, In truth, there was
healing In my presence. You must
suffer much. The doctor will be here
within CO hour, ald your arm will not
pain you after 1t has set"
While she spoke, he looked at her so
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