Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-04-23


and she delayed going down. Still
every moment but added to her dread
of seeing Dick, and every moment she
knew was so much time gained by
Vance Rothesay in fight. She would
wait as long as she could.
In half an hour her father came to
the foot of the stairs, called her, and
then left the house.
There was nothing for her to do
now but go down.
AS she entered the room. Burt rose
and came forward eagerly. He was
sure of his answer. but he could not
expect she would be very joyous in
giving it.
you know what came for" he said
directly. Il know you will make me
happy by saying the word l wish to
hear"
He spoke confidently. without mean
ing to do so. and his manner repealed
her more than ever. She hated the
handsome black eyes which glowed
down upon her. Unreasonably and
woman like she hated him still more
than ever. now that she had been the
cause of her knowing Vance Rothe-
says perfldy.
The silence continued so long that
Burt began to grow uneasy.
Kate had sat down in chair. and.
with head bent. was wondering why
she could not summon her usual
strength and moral courage.
you do not speak" he said at last.
SIS it. then, so hard to Say that word
which will bring me so much happi-
ness? You could not doubt my love?"
mo. But can never return it. as
have told you. Be generous and per-
secute me no longer"
A warning flush rose to Burt's face.
He was not going to have this girl fool
with him any longer. He was re-
solved upon that.
Il must ask for the answer you
promised me last night, even though
you look upon my insistence as per-
secution." he said.
My answer is no." was the reply.
Kate"
There was barely repressed anger
in his voice and the flush on his face
deepened and rose tn his forehead. He
could not believe he had heard Alright.
THE only answer l can give is no."
she repeated again, N an unnaturally
quiet voice.
She shrank from the storm that was
rising. but she could not change her
reply.
You forget all that such an answer
will entail" he said, feeling that fur-
Gus, bafled sensation man feels
when Unexpectedly encountering some
thing which apparently is weak but
which he cannot bend to his own will.
s:You are not likely to allow me to
forget anything of the misery of this
time" was the bitter response.
81 see!" he cried. 81 see l was a
fool to let you see how pleasant
companion Rothesay had in his retire
ment. l was a o,t-sighted fool not
10 know that at heart you were like
other women and would take your re-
venge on him for oeceivias you so.
You wish him betrayed because he
loves some one besides you. You
hate him. bat YOU will not love me.
And l am faithful--I love YOU truly.
Very we'll: Rothes=y shall DE a piis-
oner before night. | will do that for
YOU; though l did think you. Kate
Purcell. were above the revenges of
other women Shall l sue for some
reward for thus pnnishins Your Ease
lover? Perhaps lou will grant me
kindness for that, :. for nothing else"
His rapid words stung Kate as; no
other words coulG have done. She
had never though. he could put such
an Interpretation upon her refusal.
and the fierce indignation that famed
up within her MADE her say words she
had not intended ID say. but that she
cared not now if she uttered, thinking
they could do the fugitive no harm.
''You think thai OF me and still say
YOU love meo" she exclaimed, in a low,
vibrating voice, while her eyes. fierce
and beautiful, ;liet his fully and
their light. Let me. then, give you
a. different idea Of one woman. Let
me tell you that take no revenge on
the man / love. Believe that. false
though he may be to me. he has yet
more robleness in him than you can
dream of as existing anywhere! l be-
tray him! I bring Vance Rothesay to
HARM Listen while tell you that he
is, hours ago. on his way from that
he will escape and that l
warned him OF his danger-I freed him
from the snare you set for him! And
had / not bee? able to do so, do you
hink could h"ve promised to be your
wife? No. God will preserve me from
hiatt"
She stood straight before Dick Burt
as those words Of flame poured from
Ter lips; her figure seemed filed with
\ majesty of wrath and contempt that
even such words and tones as hers
could not fully cypress.
Even Dick. bulldog though he was,
vas cowed for ,.loment. but only for
moment: the raxt he sprang forward
md caught her arm in savage grasp,
so tight as to be painful, While his