The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1902-11-13
CHAPTER II. ,continued1

with tolerable ease. He saw some.
thing. dimly, shaped like horse, lying
on the pebbles, and he stumbled along
toward 1t.
His surmise was correct II was a
horse. fallen prone upon the ground.
and the riders leg was pinned down
by the fall
'Heilo!" said Burt, as he reached
the mans side. what have you done
to yourself? What sent you down TO
such place as this on horseback"
THAT the devil only knows" was
the grim reply I'm 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 hurt?" 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, don't know; 1t may be
nothing but 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 her" 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" ex-
claimed the man. reaching forth a
hand and stroking the animals soft
nose. Il hope your knees are not cut
on these 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. 'If you hadn't heard me
might have lain here until morning. Is
there any house near here where | can
get shelter? And is there surgeon
who can set my arm? / want TO get
on my journey In day or So"
There's a house but a little way
from here Burt answered. 81 be-
lieve they will shelter you there"
He was thinking OF Purcells.
Lets go on then" was the impa-
tient reply. "I've no time to lose now.
I'd like to get these wet clothes off be-
fore they give me a fever. live no
time to spend on 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 sling for this arm;
the pain Is too sharp. Cad! It's
enough to make fellow faint II II
move onl"
Burt assisted, and the two tied a
handkerchief, so that the arm was 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
TO take the man to Purcell's.
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 day or two,
at longest. Yes; Purcells was 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.
thought. and pounded heavily on the
door.
In few moments he heard a move
ment up stairs; then light cleaned
behind the windows, and footsteps
were heard.
The stranger had sat down on the
ill
was shivering In his wet clothes, and
he was longing to lie down somewhere
where 1t was warm.
who is it?" asked woman's voice
from behind the door, while a hand
was busy undoing the fastenings.
II was Hates voice, and 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.
tits I--Dick." he replied. land a
man who has been out in the tempest
and broken his arm. Call your father.
and ask IL he can shelter the man until
morning"
IL need not call him to know that"
was the hospitable reply, and the door
WAS OD6u6u uuu the Two men enleTtu.
Both Dick and Kate looked swiftly
and searchingly at the stranger as he
entered the little room, and the light
of the lamp In Hates hand fell full
upon him.
He was plainly gentleman, both in
dress and bearing. He was dark, slen-
der-perhaps twenty-five years old.
His eyes were brown, and as they
wandered about the room, Dick fur
lively 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 slightly-vexed tone. Il
wouldn't have come here, only
thought he might be awake"
He is sleeping heavily; he has been
home but short time" said Kate, in a
cold voice. "Will you assist the gen.
tleman up to the south chamber? He
SHOULD so to bed directly, or he may be
Ill.,
But that Is your room." began Burt,
quickly.
Kate nashed glan,e Of anger at
him and said:
4 have other accommodations for
myself"
The young man, who had heard the
talk. rosa hastily. from the seat where