Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-03-12

his eyes uAeu VII lue punt vi ldAu
which he hoped to gain before Burt
should recover.
Now and then he darted glance at
that boat which floated silently be-
hind him. betraying no motion as yet.
Only let him have three full minutes
more and he would be on land where
he detied Burt to find him with the
start he should have.
But before one minute more had
gone by he saw Burt struggling to an
upright position. Dick saw instantly
the chance he had of overtaking the
fugitive, and with his head still swim
ming from the blow he seized the
oars and the boat seemed to jump for
ward like thing alive under his
hands.
He had murder in his heart as he
piled the oars and saw Rothesay so
near him. He did not speak this time;
he saved his breath and his strength.
Rothesay saw he was wasting his
powers in trying to scull his boat now.
He flung down his oar and thrust his
hand into his pocket, crying:
Don't come any nearer! l am too
desperate not to defend myself we'll.
l tell you, if you want to live, not TO
come nearer"
The tone of the voice. as much as the
words, caused Burt's oars to cease
their motion for a moment.
You don't mind killing another fell
low, of course" he said You have a
pistol and you mean to use it?'
"Yes, if you make me"
In the silence that followed the two
men could be heard breathing heavily.
All the devil in Burt was reused.
This was the man who had Won Kate
Purcell's love. Had not the lightning
showed him the two? Had it not
showed Rothesay's arm encircling her:
Oh, yes, Kate loved him, Of that
Burt felt as convinced as if he himself
had heard her declare it, 1t had not
been Ralph Caryl nor any other man
who was his real rival. 1t was this
man whom he believed he had in his
power.
But still Burt did not care to have Il
pistol ball put in him if he could help
it; not but that he would risk that.
and anything else. to succeed in his
present purpose of capturing and de-
lvering Rothesay over to the authori-
ties-for Burt knew the suspicious that
were gaining ground every moment
concerning his rival.
81 was foolish enough to leave my
pistol at home said Burt. while he
tried to think what should be his next
move. "Otherwise we would have. a
duel right here. Do you really mean
to shoot me if | make another attempt
upon you?'
"Yes. Why need We spend this time
in talking: Either let me go unfol-
lowed, or risk my fire
1T pleases me to spend a few min
utes in talking, SO You must submit
unless, indeed, you are pleased to fire
upon me before | attack you. In that
case, should not be your first victim. %
Rothesay was writhing with impa-
thence, but he could do nothing except
submit If he tried to go, Burt would
pursue. and he dreaded TO resort to his
pistol unless compelled to do so.
''It will all end in your shooting me,
Of course" went on Burt. in a tone
which increased Rothesay's fury, "for
that is a way you have. Still, shall
do my best to succeed in my plan. Ii
YOU please, we shall make Kate Pur-
cell the subject OF OUT talk for mo-
ment.
He heard Rothasay's hand move. as if
it could hardly be restrained from
shooting the man who spoke thus.
But secure in the conviction that I'M
til he made movement of attack he
was safe, he went on:
"You don't like the subject, Ell?
Well, that's unfortunate, because am
going to make you a proposition. II
you will give me your word as a man
of honor-I'll be bound you consider
yourself One-never to seek Kate Pur-
cell again, to give her up from this
moment, I'll not only cease my pursuit
of you, but will aid your escape; and
my aid will be very effectual, III prom
Use you. Now, what do you say"
Perhaps never in his life before had
it been so hard for Vance Rothesay to
control the rage that made him trem-
BILE, that made his eyes burn with fierc-
est light. And he must stand here and
listen TO such words, or precipitate the
moment when he might be compelled
to use the weapon that was grasped so
tightly in his hand.
He did not speak, and Burt. leaning
forward to peer more closely in his
face, went on in still more insulting
tone:
"You don't like the idea! Well.
acknowledge Kate is a girl whom
nothing should compel me to give up
But then. you know, you amt the kind
| of a man to marry a girl in her posi-
ton; besides you have love in your
own sphere CT life III Philadelphia. Sc
they tell me. It's your only chance OF
getting out of this scrape. You needn't
have run your Lead into such moose
by coming down here to see Kate. It's
true you can kill me. but you'll hang
for it. I've offered you very easy
way Of getting out of the affair, and