Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-02-19

herself. She was wrong in that re
solve. and she said:
81 am willing to work harder than I
do now. / could support you both and
myself, father. Think again before
you are angry with me for this refusal.
7 am a human being--an individual
like yourself-and / have a right to re-
fuse such a thing. ] cannot become.
Dick Burt's wife. No, I will never con-
sent to that, You need never ask me.
I will work for you day and night. /
will be your slave, but I viii not be
his wife"
The color which had FOR a moment
swept up into the girls face new ebbed
away, leaving her SO pale that it
seemed impossible for her to have
strength TO stand. But there was no
wavering in her resolve.
Her father was in that condition
when he cared for nothing with such
intensity as he cared for the power to
go on with that search which filed all
his thoughts.
Burt could give him the power. If
Burt married Kate, he could still have
the means of carrying on his secret
labors. If Burt did not marry her, he
did not see how he was going to stay
he would be driven from his home,
disgraced. He was not so blind but
he could see that Burt would deal
with him cruelty.
So weakened had Purcell's affections
become, so changed the powers of his
mind, that he felt nothing but ange
as he listened to Hates words and saw
the expression OF her face-the tx.
precision which told him he could not
expect to change her.
Very WELL" he said, with contemp-
tuous coldness; "it will be as you say,
of course. The time has gone by
when a father can force his daughter
to obey him in such a command. It is
as well, perhaps, that | have discov-
cred what kind of a daughter | have
that all her professions of love meant
nothing"
Hates gaze softened from its stern
resolve into a look of love and plead
ing, but she turned in silence and
walked toward the door. She passed
through it, hesitating, then turned
back.
She approached her father, threw
herself upon her knees by him and
seized his hands, pressing her face
down On them, for nova food of bit
ter tears was pouring from her eyes,
and sobs uncomfortable shook her
frame.
She had loved her father dearly, and
until of late, though never a strong
minded man, he had been worthy Of
that love.
PurcelTs face lightened-she was
about to yield to his wishes. He bent
over her, saying almost tenderly:
DO not feel thus, You see 1t is
nothing SO fearful l ask Of you. He
will be devoted to you, you viii be as
happy as most women, and o will
save your father"
AS soon as she could speak, Kate
raised her face and Purcell, even, was
thrilled by the sweet beauty of it, the
s~upplication In the fearful eyes and
upon the Quivering lips.
LET us move away from here" she
whispered. Let US go where no n
knows IS and where you will be your
self again, father, and will love me.
Something has changed you. Burt's
influence has been bad. You used not
to be in debt. We have lived poorly,
but we have not owed. Let us go this
very day. Leave the house and all to
Burt. We will COVE will go within
the hour. Come, tell me you wilt"
Her trembling impetuosity did not
shake his resolve, but he was troubled.
She hung upon him-she poured
forth her e~ntreaties with passionate
accent-and he had thought she was
aboE& to consent to his wishes.
NO, mol" he said at last, withdraw
ing his hand from hers. II must stay
here. ] have a special object in stay
ing here. ! can beg my bread II / can.
not earn 1t, and all will know that my
child refused the only thing her father
asked. i thought you had relented.
Don't stay with me longer. let me try
to bear my disappointment alone"
Kate rose to her feet as he spoke
thus.
Il cannot see that 1t is my duty to
obey you in this" was her hardly aust
BILE response, and Purcell was left
alone.
STILL" he said to himself, Burt will
succeed. He always does. She's as
stubborn a piece of womanhood as
he'll eve have to deal with. I've done
all | could, and now I'll look over those
plans again, for mean to go out and
try digging again tonight"
And while Kate was suffering an
anguish that would forever leave it's
mark upon her life, her father soon
forgot everything but the one object
and ruling thought Of his life-the
thought and the hope of finding the
buried treasure of some dead pri-
vateer.
CHAPTER XVII.