Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-04-02

She was surprised at the turn he haA
given to the talk. She had resigned
herself now to the inevitable; she must
hear what he had to say.
Let me 60 over again the case as II
stands now" he began; and then he
went on stating all those circum.
stances which looked so black against
Rothesay, ending by saying: You dc
not doubt this?"
She shok her head; she knew that
he had told her the truth.
"He knows whether he Is guilty OF
not, and I will express no opinion about
that. He knows we'll enough he has
little chance of acquittal If he were
tried. He knows it so we'll that he is
not going to risk trial, and remains
in concealment. Are you following
me?"
Again she moved her head, this time
in assent.
Your sense teaches you that he is
in great danger. From the fact that
he does not come forward of his own
accord you see that he fears that he
will be found. You must know that?"
Il know that he must have some
good reason for keeping concealed
Just as know that he is innocent and
will in good time establish his limo
cence," she said, in a firm tone.
Brit smiled satiracally as he replied:
"Of course you believe in him. But
r t0
sense when ask if one in thousand
will believe as you do. Everybody in
this town has made up his mind. But
l wanted to tell. you one thing. 1t is
this: put his freedom or imprison.
ment in your hands.
Kate started and repeated vaguely:
I'm my hands"
Eyes, l tell you the truth. l. have
discovered his place of retreat; l can
find him at any time. Do you under
stand now that upon you rests the de.
cision whether he shall escape or be
tried for his life, with terrible odds
against him."
But l tell you he is innocent. When
the right time comes he will prove it, {"
she said. with emphasis.
Again Burt smiled mockingly. He
would have no mercy upon her now.
'Plainly he has small hope of prov
ing his innocence, or he would put
himself to the test. l tell you, Kate
Purcell. l know some things of that
man which would make even you wish
the truth were different"
How could Kate keep the thought
from flashing through her mind-"How
little know of Vance Rothesay?"-
even though she rejected with scorn
the intimation Burt had just made.
She remained silent and Burt said:
did you hear me when l said that
his safety now rests with you?"
II heard you, but your talk is folly.
Such thing cannot be-"
"Did not tell you knew his hiding
place." and Burt advanced close to
Kate and bent over her until his hur-
ried breath swept her face, while his
eyes shone with malicious triumph.
do you yet understand" he went on,
chat upon your answer to ME depends
Rothesays safety?"
Kate had not understood before;
her mind had been dwelling too much
upon Rothesay's position for her to
take in the full meaning of Burt's in.
situations.
Now, as she comprehended him, she
moved quickly away from him, her
eyes dilating in an agony of surprise
and apprehension. He could not be
so vile, so detestible as this!
No, she could not have understood
him. She stood before him. her figure
drawn to its full height, her face col.
orless. her eyes flashing defiance.
you cannot be such wretch as
that" she exclaimed. "No, that is i'm
possible!"
Burt. despite his holiness, shrank a
little as he saw and heard her.
CATS fair in love and war;" he NUT.
tered.
She was going to leave the room, but
he sprang forward and placed himself
before her. He was resolved, and he
was not going to be baffled by her
scorn of him. He knew how advan.
tageous position was his now.
| ITO Be continued.)