The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-04-02
CHAPTER XXI.
Danger to Kate Purcell.

1 Ihe next morning DICK burt udu dp-
peared there with his arm in a sling.
When questioned by Charles Purcell
concerning his accident. he had looked
SHARPLY at Kate, who would not return
the glance, though she felt 1t sink like
cold fear through her. She thought
! of Vance Rothesay, though she could
not believe he had anything to do with
Burt's condition.
II was shooting with a fellow over
in the village last night" he said. 'and
l accidentally got a ball in my arm,
It's not much"
He said nothing more at the time,
but, Kate could not forget his glance
and shuddered when she thought Of 1t.
That day Burt went up to Boston
and saw Henry Loud, the detective,
and related the whole circumstance
to him, ending by saying: 1
"If you can't run that rat to his hole
you'd better change your business. AS
for me, I'd do it myself, only I've got
something more important on hand"
Loud had said nothing, but began TO
think there was a fate that kept him
from getting on the right track.
He had already become satisfied
that Rothesay was in or near Boston,
from the letter to Kate, and the very
next day his inquiries led him to the
stable where Rothesay had hired the
horse and buggy.
From the description, he was salts
fed that 1t was Rothesay, and he had
traced the horse and buggy five miles
from the stable, and then the accounts
became confused, and there seemed to
have been two horses and two buggies
OF that description, and he was able TO
follow but one, which he was satisfied
was the wrong one.
Though Burt thus limited at some
special business, as was mentioned
before, matters were the same on
wardly at Purcell's house.
Dick had concluded to wait day or
two longer than he had warned Fur
cell he would do, for he was uncertain
as to the mode in which he would go
to work.
He had wit enough to see If Purcell
could not get Kate to consent to be-
come his wife to avert pecuniary ruin,
that should he fulfill his threat and
turn Purcell out of doors he would be
no nearer securing the girl. Her
father had failed. Well, he would give
her one more chance.
II was now the talk throughout the
little hamlet that Vance Rothesay was
suspected of Ralph Caryls murder,
and that he could not be found by the
officers.
'why does he hide himself?" they
argued. can innocent man doesn't
run away like that"
But Dick Burt said nothing He
watched Kate Purcell, and thus watch
ing, he swore good deal to himself
He did some amateur detective duty,
but with no result, so far as anybody
knew.
At the end of the week he came to
Kate as she sat at twilight with a
book held idly in her hand.
She was alone, and she saw some
definite purpose in Dicks dark face as
he approached her.
"You don't object to talking with me
few moments, hope?" he said, sit
ting down beside her and trying to
speak carelessly. ~
"Why should II" was the reply, and
she succeeded better in trying to
speak in an ordinary tone.
"I don't know, I'm sure, only fan
cied you rather avoided me-" he re-
piled, and then sat in awkward silence
for few moments.
He knew he had a trump card to
play, and still he did not feel so conf
dent as he wished he did. He dread
ed to meet her glance of wondering
scorn when he should have said what
was In his mind.
She had waited few moments, then
she said:
Had you something particular to
say TO me?"
Burt knew he must begin now. He
thought he was usually rather bold
fellsw, but he did not feel like one
now. #&a#
81 wanted TO speak again of that
subject which is so dear to me. |
want to ask you again If you can give
me hope that you will some time be
my wife?"
A shudder went through her as she
heard his words, and she made an in.
voluntary movement TO withdraw far
ther from him. Recalling her
command, she sat quite still, as
replied In a low voice:
II thought you understood that my
answer was final. l hoped you would
never mention the subject again"
A deep shadow came to Burt's face
as be heard the words, and knew how
much decision there was in that soft
voice.
Let me implore You to consider all
that your refusal will entail before you
speak irrevocably," he said, leaning
nearer TO her and longing 10 take her
hand, but not daring to do so.
II know that you have my father in
some way In your power, but 1t can