The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-12-04
CHAPTER VI. acontlnuea.,

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cell, looking more keenly at the young
man, and not liking the signs OF his
past life visible on his face.
"He may have squandered that mag
nificent property" the old man
thought
Caryl read disapprovaI on the old
mans countenance, and he set himself
10 work to remove that feeling, and
few could succeed better In such an
undertaking.
Before the evening had gone by
Purcell was sure he had misjudged his
visitor.
Very wisely, Caryl did not pay any
special attention to Kate, but his
shrewd glance told him that she was
entertained.
l hope you'll allow me TO call here
frequently while I'm In the place, Mr..
Purcell. ne said, as he rose to depart.
ut will give me great pleasure to do
So"
OF course the request was granted,
and Caryl went away thinking that
the first wedge was entered.
Up stairs, in the strangers sick
room, was the sound of voices as
soon as Caryl had gone. The man had
been lying quietly, and the nurse had
thought him asleep. But when the
door closed he turned his eyes toward
her and asked, imperatively:
who has been below?"
II don't know--some of the neigh
bors. suppose" carelessly.
"No." raising himself on his elbow
mo, II wasn't one Of the neighbors. l
wish you'd ask Miss Purcell TO come
up here moment"
OF course the woman could not re-
fuse to do as he asked though she was
little out of patience with his whim
She thought she could attend to him
quite as we'll.
She went down stairs and sum
moned the girl
"You will think me childish" he
said. with a wan smile, when Kate
came to him, "but will you tell me
who has Just been down stairs with
you? You know how plainly one hears
through these upholstered walls, and
his voice Well, il cannot be, how
ever" breaking off, abruptly.
"His name is Caryl. He came TO
this place quite by accident, l think,
and the other day he pulled me out
of the water when | was so foolish as
TO fall in"
Kate saw, with surprise, the emotion
in the patients face as he heard her
words.
At another time he might have con-
trolled himself better, but he was
weak now. His hot fingers clenched
themselves as he exclaimed. violently:
81 knew II was his voice-suave and
charmingi He herel Curse him! J.
Kate knew not what To think. She
stood I'm silence, wondering how both
her father and this man were so moved
at the sound of that name.
She thought 1t very odd that every
body should meet in this out of-the-
way place.
The sick man was not looking at her
now; he was moving his head to and
fro restlessly, while the flush on his
face grew deeper and deeper.
At last he asked, turning again to
the girl:
els he going to stay long here?"
"He did not say. | don't see why
he should"
The stranger, looking at the girl,
could easily guess why Ralph Caryl
might decide to stay--the scoundrel,
Does he know / am here?" was the
next question.
"He does not know your name"
"How very strange that both he and
! should happen here!" repeated the
young man again II had hoped he
never would cross my path again"
Then there was silence for so long
that Kate moved toward the door,
thinking he nothing more to say. But
he detained her. this time speaking on
q different subject.
"The doctor is sure l shall have a
fever"
'He is sure you have one." was the
answer
sand how long am to be laid up?"
"He thought you would not get out
under fortnight at the least"
The look of pain and impatience In
the mans face was sad to see, and
Kate pitied him with all her heart
saying to herself:
Gle is thinking of the woman he
loves"
Presently he asked.
"Miss Purcell, will you write n note
for me? had hoped not TO need it
but it's inevitable, suppose"
Kate brought pen and paper, and
waited his dictation.
cit is to Miss Lauriat. Just tel
her how / am detained, and say thai
there is no cause for anxiety"
Kate did as she was told, making
the letter as short as possible.
Address it to Miss Laura Lauriat
No. Locust street Philadelphia
And will you please see that 1t is
mailed Immediately"
Kat bowed her assent, and quickly
sealed the letter, and rose to leave the
room. but was stopped by his voice
saying:
"Stay one M oment." He extended
his hand, and took hers as she came
to the bed 81 have not thanked you,
he said. looking at her with eyes thai
gave to Kate a momentary envy o.
Miss Laura Lauriat
She had never seen such eyes before
$50 deep, so full of passionate
strength and truth.
do not thank me-" she said. in hel
quiet, sweet tones. at is but trifi,
for me TO do"
Nevertheless, allow me to feel tn,
) pieasure OF gratitude" he responded
She Withdrew her hand, smiling a
che answered:
Il would not deprive you Of an,
Then she ,eft the room, and he fe,
into an uneasy sleep. In which he al
not dream OK his betrothed.