The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-06-04
CHAPTER XXX.
THE Last.

When Kate Purcell handed the al
most untasted glass to the minister,
who stood looking at her, he turned to
Burt and said:
This lady really needs some rest.
Shall we not defer the ceremony an
hour or so? My wife will give her
room"
"She may have time enough to rest
afterward; the ceremony cannot be
deferred" resolutely replied Dick.
Let 1t begin at once"
He turned to Kate, who was sitting
motionless upon the chair upon which
she had sunk, and STOPPING. took her
hand.
When she Is Mrs. Burt she shall
do nothing but rest, but Just now
have no time to lose. Comet
His manner was imperative, his
clasp upon Hates hand was almost
rough in Its earnestness.
Kate would not struggle. She SUI
fered her hand to remain in his, but
she did not rise, and looking toward
the minister she said:
''If you are a gentleman, you will
aid me now. cannot marry him, and
will not! | ask your protection"
The minister changed color and be-
gan to speak, and stammered
He had decency enough In him to
wish himself well out of the affair, but
he could not forget the enormous fee
which had been promised him, and he
did not intend to forego 1t. But he
felt he was In hard situation.
"You need not stop to considerl"
cried Burt, quickly. Don't be squean-
fish. This girl is going to be my wife
within the half hour; so begin the
thlng!"
The man did not hesitate longer.
AS for Richard Burt, he grew secret
ly more and more afraid of the express
sion In Hates face, and he stopped
and whispered savagely:
you can't help yourself nowl You
may not consent, If you are fractions,
but we have the witnesses--the thing
done regularly-the certificates and
all. and you are completely helpless.
In spite of yourself. you will be my
wifei"
While Dick was saying this the min
lister had called In his wife and a
servant girl.
"By George!" muttered Burt. what
An the devil do you look like that for,
Kate7 Are you going to make a
scene? You'll find 1t won't pay!"
The book was in the clergyman's
hand, and he had said the first few
words, when Kate sprang forward, her
lips parted to utter some word of
thrilling import But she did not
speak II, for just al that moment a
sound so near and rapid that Kate
paused as the words trembled for ex-
preseion--paused with a wild hope, an
impossible hope in her mind.
In less than a moment more the
horse had stopped in front OF the
house. and just as Burt shook the
minister's shoulder, crying, why
don't you go ONT" the door was burst
open and Vance Rothesay appeared,
his pale face and flashing eyes gleam-
ing like those of some avenging spirit.
His swift glance caught and found
Kate In an instant, and with a quick,
gasping breath OF the excitement of
utter thankfulness, tho girl sprang
into his arms, that were extended to
her, and hid her face on his shoulder.
Vance turned his face toward Burt,
who stood In an amazement that rem
dered him powerless for the moment.
"What would you do with my wife?"
cried Rothesay iercely, knew you
were villain. but this is beyond even
my conception of your scoundrelism!"
'Your wife?" was all that Burt
could say, in tone OF stupefaction.
"lesl We were secretly married
but a short time before you found out
the secret OF my hiding place in the
woods. thought that by making her
my wife then ! could more easily
shield her from your plots; and as she
was to be my wife some time, / per-
suaoed her to become so then. But
have been poor protector-fate has
been against me In my efforts TO care
for her. But am free man now,
and defy you or any one else to mo-
lest her more. Good heavens! had
no idea she would be exposed to such
dangers!"
The hurried, fiery words swept over
the senses of his audience like a tor
rent. They stood mutely for a mo-
ment. and Burt was the first to re.
cover himself from the surprise into
which he had been thrown.
A terrible rage took possession Of
him. He saw taken from him all that
be had striven for--the girl who
should have been his, and the fortune
which had just fallen to her and OF
which she was still ignorant-and
taken from him by the man whom he
hated above all others.
He was beside himself with fury.
He leaped forward, drawing from his
pocket small revolver as he did so.
and he had thrust II almost against
Rothesay's head before the latter had
seer him, Tor Vance was bending
down to the dear face that rested SO
trustingly against him.
But Kate saw the danger arst and
she threw herself upon Burt, and his
arm, struck suddenly. turned the pis-