Courier Democrat., 1903-02-26


say suspected?" and savage JOY came
into his eyes.
He was glad of anything that would
remove anybody who could possibly
stand in his way with Kate.
Il can't say that he is suspected.
very cautiously replied Loud. "but 1
have thought we might find out some
thing if we knew where he was.
But he went to Philadelphia to be
married." interposed Burt.
"He has not been there"
"Ah. see! BY George!"
And with this rather incohc-cat c.
clamation Burt became silent.
After awhile Loud, who furtively
watched the man, said:
81 need not explain to you that, I'M
der the circumstances, it is impera-
lively necessary that we find Rothe-
say If he should write to Miss Pur-
cell"
"You want me to intercept the lot
ter?"
by no means" coldly.
"What then?"
"Merely tell me she has received it.
That is all I ask you to do. Mr.. Roth
esy is under obligation to the Pur-
cells; Miss Purcell is very beautiful,
and men are apt to remember obliga-
tions in such cases. l don't often deal
in impressions, but l give some Gre
dence to the impression have that
Miss Purcell will hear from Rothesay.
And, as said, want to know it when
she does. Can rely upon you?"
"You can," with an emphasis thnt
made Loud say, not very cordially:
Il should say you would like to have
some misfortune happen to Vance
Rothesay."
II don't know anything about Vance
Rothcsay," was the reply. in brutal
voice, "but l know he'll be apt to re-
pent it if he makes love to Kate Pur-
CELL"
Don't threaten, Mr.. Burt, I beg
you," said Loud, with cold civility;
for it sometimes makes it awkward
for man to have it said he threat.
ened certain person"
81 know it," responded Burt. t'But
you've seen plainly enough that 1 I'M
tend to have Kate for my wife, and
don't thank any man to interfere"
Loud did not say anything more.
He soon left Burt and walked on
toward the Purcells. He merely
wished to see Kate and try if he could
judge something from her face of what
she had suffered since he had seen
her. And Loud was shocked at the
change in her in the short time since
he had seen her. And yet, pallid,
worn and suffering as she looked, the
officer thought she was more beautiful,
more sweetly attractive than ever.
His heart smote him for the sort of
her; but then, as he told himself, in
his business he had no right to have a
| heart.
He returned to the city in the after.
noon train, as he had proposed, and
all through the hour of the journey up
there he was despising himself for the
part he had acted that day. But he
knew he would have done the thing
over again. FIe was bound to do what
he could, and he was already far on
his way toward hating this Vance
Rothesay, who had Won that girls
heart when he was or the eve CT mar.
riage.
The next day. at police headauar
ters, a telegram was put into Loud S
hands, containing these words:
"The letter has comet"
There was not even name signed
but Loud knew. and sprang from his
seat "a flush of triumph coloring for an
instant his sallow face
What is it, Loud?" asked the chief
about this Caryl case?"
i "Yes, I hope have clue at last"
F! And he dashed out of the room, OF
his way to tie Old Colony railroad
depot.
He must see the letter-how. he did
not know, but by some means.