The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-04-30

II 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 off. PARTICULARLY on the bushes
where Burt and Katshad stood the
night before. In an opposite direc-
tion Loud found the bushes apparently
still more recently disturbed, though,
of course. he could not Judge certainly
with regard to that
II was not likely that the fugitives
] would come In the direction of the viii
'bikge where Rothesay had been Ill, and
Burt decided on pushing his way out
in the way where some one had prob
ably gone but short time before. On
second thought he rurn1i and asked:
what is the village lying over in
that way" pointing toward where he
believed those he sought had gone.
They call 1t Littleville; it's not
much. Of place.
! Does the railroad go through
there?"
mo"
How far in that direction Is the
nearest Gepot?"
"Aboutstwelve miles--at Dorton. It's
the only place in a long distance over
| that way--in fact, the only place
where the cars stop about here, ex-
cept Cotton"
"Is your horse fresh enough to go?"
IF he isn't, he must go. But It'll be
longish stretch for him, for the way
we must go it's about twenty miles"
I'VE will CO." 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 8. 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 the 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.
TITS time to shut up" he said, blow
ing out light.
Sorry to detaln you," blandly said
Loud "and 1t shall be but for min
ute. have particular business with
friend who went on one of the trains
from here to-day; you'll oblige me
greatly If you'll tell me what train he
took, and where he bought his ticket
Flor. 7 shall Iose'several thousand dol
lars If don't find him in time to stop
a.trade we bad agreed upon.
What did he look like?"
Loud described Vance Rothesay in
few telling words. and the man said:
"Yes. Such a man took ticket in
the noon train; but this man had a
lady with him."
How Burt's heart bounded as he lis
tened, and he wondered how Loud
could speak so coldly.
VERY likely. Where did he go?"
"To Boston. The lady was about
beat out; my wife gave her cup of
tea"
"Yes: she's something OF an invalid.
How early is the next train to Bos-
toni"
six o'clock in the morning"
Thanks. That's all wish to know"
and Loud left the room, taking Burt's
arm as he went.
When they were out OF hearing,
Burt began to swear fearfully.
They, can get to the ends Of the
earth before we. can find them! Went
to Boston at noon, and We can't go
until tomorrow morning"
Don't be fool, Burt" colby said
Loud. II shall get him now A man
! with sick woman on his hands won't
escape me this time. Now, let's find
place to sleep, for I'm tired"
.s"Sleepip scornfully cried Burt. 81
shan't sleep until know where Rothe.
say is. | hope you don't think he'd
hesitate to drop that woman whenever
he pleased?"
81 imagine have different idea
Of that man from what you have" was
the response.
Perhaps you think he is innocent
as babeT' sneered Burt
Loud looked at the man beside him
with. something like fire In his pale
blue eyes
II think there must be something re-
deeming in the man whom Kate Pur-
cell can love. These women-like her
-see good ways into mans heart,
and she has uncommon clear eyes.
Isn't there anything that serves for a
public house, In this, placer"
Without replying in words, Burt led
20 the place where lodging could be
obtained, and when they had seen the
horse cared for, they sought their own
rooms, and Loud was soon In deep
Sleep. But he was awake early enough
IN the morning TO be down at the rail-.
road station In time for the early
lstrsan.s ~ - r.
Hs was rather annoyed to still have