The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-04-16
CHAPTER xlll-continued.

81 thought this sweet night air might
do you good" Vance was saying TO his
sister Every day | hope you will be
well enough to go. Are you not a
little stronger tonight"
Eyes, / think so. Tomorrow we
may go, may we not?"
Rachel raised her head and looked
at him. He could not help signing.
Every day for a week she had thought
she would be able to go the next day.
II hope So" be said, YEARLY.
Il am such a burden to you!" she
said. Il thought was strong in
health. but then have been through
so much!"
And her head dropped again to it's
resting place
Only faint murIhur Of the voices
came to the twot watchers in the
woods.
In few moments Rothesay and his
sister rose and walked slowly toward
the hut he with hfs arm still about
her and supporting her steps
They came within two or three feet
of Kate, who saw the pale, beautiful
face OF Rachel. 1t seemed as distinct
to her as though seen in blaze of
| light.
She was afraid Rothesay woull hear
the furious throbbing of her heart,
though she pressed her hands upon It,
longing to stop its beat forever
Yes. Il was Rothesay. aud the next
moment the two had disappeared in
the hut,
'Let US CO." said Kate.
And she made a movement to turn,
but tottered and almost fell.
Burt's arm was about her in an in
slant, and he was helping her away
from the spot; but she did not faint as
she feared she would.
In a moment she withdrew from
him, saying:
Il can walk alone. found / was
very tired, but l am better now"
Burt did'not insist upon assisting
her; he merely walked in advance,
bending down branches and trying to
make her path easier
He was wondering that she loved
Rothesay so much, and thinking that
all the more surely should he himself
win her now. In the humiliation and
pain of this discovery her heart would
turn to him--her very pride would be
his aHSs
SO he reasoned, and he would have
been right concerning many women.
Not word was spoken while the
two mazda thaiy yrgax, o,,t ,f tto ,,,s,na
He put her into the carriage and sat
down beside her. while the horse
sprang forward, impatient to be gone.
Burt waited anxiopsly and impa-
| tiently for Kate to speak, but she sat
| motionless as a statue beside him,
and seemed as incapable of speech as
I If she were carved in marble.
AS they drew near the shore, Burt
asked:
| Are you conYinced?"
"Of his falseness?" sch asked. speak
ing in hard tone, very unlike her
usual voice Of melody.
Eyes, of his falseness-of his un.
worthiness," Burt responded.
II need only 10 tell you that hence
forward he can be nothing to me-" she
replied. in the same voice
Burt tried to restrain the manifesto
tons of his triumph; he knew thar he
must not reveal 1t too visibly. But he
could not help saying, in tons that
was not quite steady:
Kate, you take such a weight from
my mind. The man has deceived you
most grossly"
"And we will never mention him
again, If you please, was her decisive
response.
They were now driving slowly
through the sand which surrounds
Purcell's house. Burt could not leave
her until he had asked her again the
question so vital to him.
do you give me your promise?" he
said, as they reached the door.
| In spite of herself she shuddered,,
ASK me tomorrow" she replied.
I can think OF nothing tonight, and
when give promise intend to keep
/ It."
Burt said no more He felt assured
of victory, and he left her with no
other word. -.
'It's not my way to fail" he said
to himself with a smile as he went
home. There's too much brought to
bear on her now; she will turn to me.
It's as certain as the sun will rise to-
morrow. Not many women can bear
what she has seen tonight without
rushing into anything that offers after.
ward. Til take her at the rebound.
But must say that Rothesay is a
devilish mean fellow to keep on with
that girl he has with him at the same
time he makes love to Kate. One at
a time IL my motto. You are sure to
get into hot water If you make love TO
two at the same time. It's lucky Miss
Caryl Is gone, or she might have got
me into trouble"
Burt slept very soundly the remain
der Of the night. He saw his way
clear now, He meant to take his bride
away in less than month. !.
CHAPTER XIV.
Kate Alone.