Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-04-23
CHAPTER xx,v-continued.
Observation-Disclosures

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CHAPTER xxlV-continued.
Did you tell her of your place OF
concealment?" questioned Rachel, not
needing her brothers last words, but
intent upon the idea in her mind.
No"
Docs she know you have sister?
l am not one to be proud of-you have
never mentioned me to her.
No"
Vance answered absently. He only
heard Rachel sufficiently to reply to
her, not thinking much what she was
saying.
How blind men are!" she cried
t'even the most acute of them. Do you
not now see, Vance, why she has bid
den you farewell?why her heart was
torn with the pain of that word, but
mhy she must utter il, believing you
false?'
Believing me false?" repeated
Vance. She could not think that
Every hope of mine is hers-every
heartbeat but brings her image to me
l never dreamed what love could be
until l saw her"
Blind man. BY some means she
found out your retreat-by that same
means she probably discovered that
you were not alone-that a young
woman was with you. She does not
know Of your sisters existence. What,
then, must she think of you? A WON.
an may forgive many past errors-but
that at the very moment he is protest.
ing ardent love to her he is conceal.
ing another-well, that is too hard
Pride and self-respect step in then"
AS Rothesay listened to his sisters
words he was instantly convinced of
their truth, and he understood it all.
II will go this very moment to her, -
he exclaimed. Il cannot live a day
and think she believes thus of me-"
He reached the door. Rachel did not
speak, though she knew all the danger
that might come to her should he be
so rash as to do as he had said.
He made few steps toward the
wood, then the thought of his sister, of
all that he must bear for her sake,
caused him to stop; he knew that he
could not go, that duty held him.
Il cannot go-I must watt" he said,
IN despairing tone.
Co" cried Rachel, now feeling in
all it's vividness, for the first time,
something of the greatness of his de.
yotion TO her, though even she had no
idea that he was suspected of the
crime she had committed.
Do not turn back. | know what
sou must suffer until she knows your
loyalty. tell you go! And she-oh,
think of the unhappiness that must be
hers. loving you as size does!"
The last words were like blow to
the young man; 1t seemed that he al
most staggered as he heard them.
His heart whispered:
Go! Have you nos already sacri-
feed enough to your sister? And it is
not impossible but that you may save
her. also"
But then, like an overwhelming flood
there rushed upon hiu, the conviction
that his sister was helpless to save
herself-that upon him alone depend
ed her safety, perhaps her life. No,
he could not go-he must waltz"
He came back. now master of him
self, and fully decided.
No. Rachel. l shall not CO. 1t was
rash and foolish nme to think it, and
have now controlled that weakness.
But we must both leave here, and di-
rectly. She would not have warned us
bad there not been reason"
But you will write to herr" persist
ed Rachel.
Yes. will write to her as soon as
it is safe to do SO. l have already
been too rash; we must be more care
full in future, or. We shall be arrested"
The brother and sister did not lin
ger over their preparations In half
an hour they had left the hut.
Vance felt that he should have had
but little fear that he might escape if
he had been alone, but encountered as
he was he did not feel sanguine. and
Rachels lack of strength made him
still less hopeful.
He put bottle of wine in his pocket
and a small package of biscuits, the
last Of their stores.
In spite of the rough life they had
led, Rachel was still able to present.
in attire, the appearance of lady, and
her face and bearing were always
those of gentlewoman.
Rothesay had but thirty dollars in
his pocket, and he had decided to 20
as far as that would take them. Then
he would see what next he could Go.
CHAPTER XIV.