Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1902-11-13
CHAPTER II. 0continued.l

thing. dimly, shaped like a horse, lying
on the pebbles, and he stumbled along
toward ii.
His surmise was correct. II was a
horse, fallen prone upon the ground,
and the riders leg was pinned down
by the fall.
"Heiloi" said Burt, as he reached
the mans side. what have you done
to yourself? What sent you down TO
such a place as this on horseback"
That the devil only knows" was
the grim reply. TN rather glad some
body has come to help me, for I've been
shouting myself hoarse, and I'm soaked
through with rain"
Where are you hdft?" asked Dick,
as he took hold of the bride and tried
to make the horse rise.
MY arm Is broken. for one thing.
About my leg, I don't know; 1t may be
nothing but a mere jelly by this time"
Burt coaxed and scolded until he
succeeded in making the horse scram-
BILE to his feet.
"He is not hurt, is he?" anxiously
asked the man.
'No-apparently not. Now, let's see
about yourself" was Burt's response.
After gaining his footing the horse
lowered his head and smelled of his
master, whinnying gently.
"All right, old boy, aren't your" x
claimed the man, reaching forth a
hand and stroking the animals soft
nose. II hope your knees are not cut
on those stones"
Burt assisted the stranger to rise,
feeling his curiosity greater with every
moment.
Thanks thousand thanks!" the
man said, as he stood upon his feet
once more. eff you hadn't heard me I
might have lain here until morning. Is
there any house near here where l can
get shelter? And is there a surgeon
who can set my arm? / want to get
on my journey In a day or So"
There's a house but a little way
from here Burt answered. II be-
lieve they will shelter you there"
He was thinking of Purcell's.
Lets go on, then" was the impa-
tient reply. I've no time TO lose now.
I'd like to get these wet clothes of be-
fore they give me a fever. live no
time to spend on a fever now"
"But can you walk, or will you
mount your horse?" asked Burt.
I'm as well able to walk as my
horse is to carry me now, | fancy" was
the answer. "But before | go we must
rig some kind of a sling for this arm;
the pain Is too sharp. Cad! It's
enough to make q fellow faint If
move onl"
Burt assisted, and the two tied a
handkerchief, so that the arm vas sup
ported and the stranger could go on.
They, necessarily, went slowly, and,
before they reached their destination
Burt had ~half-repented OF his resolve
20 take the man TO Purcells.
Within the last few minutes he had
thought he would rather not have this
stranger see Kate Purcell. Then he
told himself he was very silly to think
of that.
His companion was evidently in a
very different walk In life from theirs.
He would see them but a day or two,
at longest. Yes; Furcellis vas the
handiest place-of course, he should
take the man there.
Burt had counted with surety upon
the thought that Purcell would still be
up, porting over what they had found,
and he was disappointed when he
came in sight Of the house and saw no
light there.
Hell be awake, at any rate" he
thought. and pounded heavily on the
door.
In a few moments he heard a move
ment up stairs; then a light cleaned
behind the windows, and footsteps
were heard.
The Stranger had sat down on the
step, and was waiting in silence. He
was shiyering in his wet clothes. and
he was longing to lie down somewhere
where IT was warm.
'sWho is it?' asked a woRlan's voice
from behind the door, whilo a hand
was busy undoing the fastenings.
Ii was Kate's voice, anu even then
there flashed through Burt's mind the
thought that he would take the strang-
er away Immediately; but he rejected
the idea, and believed himself pos
sessed Of some superstitious folly.
Its dick" he replied, ''and a
man who has been put in the tempest
and broken his arm. Cal! your father,
and ask If he can shelter the man until
morning"
~ need not call him to know that"
was the hospitable reply, and the door
was opened and the two men entered.
Both Dick and Kate looked swiftly
and ~searchingly at the stranger as he
entered the little room, and the light
of the lamp in Rates hand fell full
upon him.
He was plainly a gentleman, both In
dress aud bearing. He vas dark, slen-
der--perhaps twenty-five years old.
His eyes were brown, and as they
wandered about the room, Dick fur
tiveIy watched them, that he might
catch their expression when they
looked at Kate, and he saw surprise
and admiration In them.
where is your father" questioned
Burt, In a s~lightly-vexed tone. II
wouldn't have come here, only I
thought he might be awake"
He Is sleeping heavily; he has been
home but a short time" said Kate, In a
cold voice. viii you assist the gen
fieman up 70 the south chamber? He
should go to bed directly DR. he may be
III
"But that is your ROOM" began Burt,
quickly.
Kate flashed a glanse Of anger at
him and said: