The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-04-02


I She was surprised at the turn he had
given to the talk. She had resigned
herself now to the inevitable; she must
hear what he had to say.
let me go over again the case as 1t
stands now" he began; and then he
went on stating all those circum-
stances which looked so black against
Rothesay, ending by saying: you do
not doubt this?"
She shok her head; she knew that
he had told her the truth.
"He knows whether he Is guilty or
not, and | will express no opinion about
that. He knows well enough he has
little chance OF acquittal IL he were
tried. He knows II so well that he Is
not going to risk a 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 TACT mat
he does not come forward of his own
accord you see that he fears that he
will be found You must know that"
az 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 lnno-
cence," she said, in firm tone.
Brit smiled satiracally as he replied:
"Of course you believe in him. But
I appeal now to your cold common
sense when ask If one in a thousand
will believe as YOU do. Everybody in
this town has made up his mind. But
wanted to tell you one thing. IL Is
this: I put his freedom or imprison-
ment In your hands" .s... "A. ...
Kate started and repeated vaguely:
an my HANDS"
Eyes, tell you the truth. l have
discovered his place Of retreat; 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 tell you he is innocent. When
the right time comes he will prove II"
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. tell you, Kate
Purcell, know some things Of that
man which would make even you wish
the truth were different"
How could Kate keep the though.
from flashing through her mind-"B0w
little l 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 your"
Il heard you, but your talk is folly.
Such a thing cannot be-"
did l not tell you knew his hiding
placer" 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,
that upon your answer to me depends
Rothesay's safety?"
Nate udu uOI uuutISlOOu
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 a wretch as
that" she exclaimed. mo, that is Inn
possible!"
Burt, despite his boldness, shrank a
little as he saw and heard her.
"All's 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 advsn-
tageous a position was his now.
Ito BE contnued.)
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