Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-04-30

then devoted hlmSel1 10 LOOKING ABOUT
in the open space.
1t was very poor ground. indeed. for
the discovery OF any footmarks. being
hard and thickly covered with pine
needles.
Some OF the twigs seemed freshly
broken of. particularly on the bushes
where Burt and Kate had stood the
night before. In an opposite direc-
ton Loud found the bushes apparently
still! more recently disturbed. though,
OF course. he could not judge certainly
with regard 10 that.
1t was not likely that the fugi1ives
would come in the direction of the viii
lage whase Rothesay had been ill. and
Burt decided on pushing his way out
in the way where some one had prob
ably gone but a short time before. On
second thought he turnM and asked
What is the village lying over in
that way" pointing toward where he
believed those he sought had gone.
They call ii Littleville; its not
much OF place
Does the railroad go through
thereo''
No"
How far in that direction is the
nearest depoto:"
about twelve miles-a1 Dorton. It's
the only place in long distance over
that way-in fact. the only place
where the cars stop about here, e2-
cept Cotton
rs your horse fresh enough to go?'
ssIf he isn't. he must go. But it'll be
a longish stretch for him. for the way
we must go it's about twenty miles
I'VE will go said Loud shortly. and
the two hurried back and were soon
tracing their way over the cart path
that they might get on to the road that
led to Dorton.
They did not talk much on their way.
Loud was deep in thought, arranging
his next attempt. if this should fail.
But he felt tolerably sure OF success
now and in that contradictory way
which all hearts have. sometimes. OF
behaving. hte detective half wished he
was not on the track of the man Kate
Purcell loved He did not like to
think of her
1t was nearly o'clock in the even
ing when the jaded horse stopped be
| fore the solitary little station at Dor
| ton.
The stationmaster. who had to re
main in he evening to attend to
freight train. was putting out the
lamps. the train having gone. and he
was ready to go home. He was trifle
cross when the two men came in.
Its time to shut up he said, blow
| ing out light.
Sorry to detain you" blandly sale
Loud, and it shall be but for min
ute. I have particular business with
6. friend who went on one of the train:
from here to-day: you'll oblige M
greatly if you'll tell me what train h
took. and where he bought his ticke
for. | shall lose several thousand dol
lars if don't find him in time to stol
a trade we had agreed upon.
What did ne look like?'
Loud described Vance Rothesay in
few telling words, and the man said:
Yes. Such a man took ticket i
the noon train: but this man had
lady with him.
How Burt's heart bounded as he liz
tened, and he wondered how Lou
could speak so coldly.
Very likely Where did he 60"
ITO Boston The lady was abou
heat out: my wife gave her cup c
tea.
Yes: she's something of an invalid
How early is the next train to Bo:
TOM"
Six o'clock in the morning.
Thanks. That's all | wish to know
and Loud left the room, taking Bart
arm as he went.
When they were out Of hearin
Burt began to swear fearfully.
They can get to the ends OF tt
earth before we can find them! Wei
to Boston at noon. and we can't 6
until tomorrow morning
Don't be a fool. Burt" coldly sa
Loud. 81 shall get him now. ma
with a sick woman on his hands Won
escape me this time. Now, let's fiji
a Place to sleep, for I'm tired
Sleep" scornfully cried Burt.
shan't sleep until know where Roth
say is. l hope you don't think he
hesitate to drop that woman whenev
t he pleased?'
Il imagine l have different i'd
of that man from what you have, vi
e the response.
r Perhaps you think he is innoce
as a babe?" sneered Burt.
t Loud looked ct the man beside nj
= with somethir, like fire in his pa
blue eyes.
n 81 think there must be something
deemirg in the man whom Kate p
= cell can love. These women-like b
n see a good ways into mans hea
d and she has uncommon clear ey
e Isn't there anytt ing that serves for
D public house in ;-,is placer"
j. Without replying in words. Burt
o to the place where lodging could
obtained, and wien they had seen
horse cared for, they sought their o.
rooms and Oud was soon in a de