The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-05-16
CHAPTER xxx.
Burt Makes Another Move.

Burt Makes Another Move.
When Kate Purcell had answered
thus the question they had asked, she
had forgotten that she had no claim to
the little house that sheltered her;
that everything, in reality, belonged to
Richard Burt.
Burt was not the man to forget that
fact. A week after Charles Purcell
had been buried, Burt came down to
the shore and went directly to the
place where Kate stayed alone.
He still had hopes that circum-
stances might have softened the girls
resolution in regard to him. He still
family expected that thinking of the
woman she had seen with Vance Roth
essay might have changed her some
what.
He knew the woman in the woods
there was Rothesay's sister, but he
felt tolerably sure that Kate did not
know it. Dick guessed, and rightly
this time, that Rothesay was not like
ly to write to Kate, even If allowed to
do so, until he should know more GER
tainly how the trial should go with
him.
Dick believed that Rothesay had
something Of that foolish. chivalrous
feeling that he would not address the
girl he loved while he was under so
dark a cloud.
i. Burt approached the house with
nnfFe agitation than he would have
aaned. ~ had resolved to appear to
have forgotten all of Hates words to
him the last time he had seen her.
But he was prepared for desperate
measures-for nothing less than abb
Quoting her II she refused.
The affair. would be easy enough.
She was alone there, and he knew all
the ways of the netghborhood. Once
having been carried of, of course she
would marry him. But, he hoped to
succeed by less violent measures.
. Kate was sitting by 'the,window at
work. She. looked up in surprise at
sight of him, but suffering had in a
way henumbed her so that the sight of
him gave her but little feeling.
What was he, or anything, to her
now that she should suffer or be glad?
i. So little did Burt know human na.
tire as exemplifed in Kate Purcell
that he tool. this apathy of manner as
6. tacit encouragement. He did not
know how the fame might still leap
from those Quiet eyes-how the lip
might curl %withsscorn.
He sat down opposite her and said:
II should have come down before,
but l only got the news in time to get
here now. I hope you'll accept my
sympathy, Kate"
She bent her head and went on sew
ing.
After a few more remarks he
thought it was time to get to the bust
ness in his mind.
II suppose you know, Kate. that this
place is mine, now. Your fathers
death only fastened my possession"
How could she have forgotten 1t?
And yet, in the press of other troubles,
she had forgotten what she knew to be
the truth. And she had been staying
several days beneath Richard Burt's
roof. The thought was not pleasant.
81 will go directly" she said, rising.
1T is objectionable in me to have for
gotten such a thing"
He rose and stood before her, ex-
claiming:
"You don't think l wish to drive you
away like that, I hope. You ought to
know how gladly I would make every
thing I have yours. You have but to
say. n word, and I am your slave for
ever"
"You know !. shall never say that.
word" was the response. s.
Burt felt his anger rising. But for
the sake Of the plan he had. made re
governed himself and only said in re-
ply:
II did hope that the last few weeks
might have softened your heart to me
Kate, when you must know how SIN
cerely I love you. These days that
have passed have made me repent il I
have used harsh words to you, Pray
remember that / was beside myself
with grief and disappointment. + can
not give up the hope of winning you,
but l will not prosecute you any more.
Do not move from this house until you
have made every arrangement for a
comfortable removal. l would ask you
to make it your home, but I know you
would refuse" 4
n,rt could wut m worry wall the nm.