Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-04-02

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 y
stands now" he began; and then ne
went ON stating all those circurn-
stances which looked so black against
Rothesay, ending by saying: Iou W
not doubt this?"
She shok her head; she knew Ina'
ne had told her the truth.
"He knows whether he is guilty OF
not. and I will express no opinion ABOUT
that. He knows we'll enough ne mas
little chance of acquittal II ne were
tried. He knows 1t so well that ne Is
not going to risk trial, and remains
in concealment. Are you 1oiloW'ns
me?"
Again she moved her head, this time
in assent.
"Your sense teaches you that he is
in great danger. From the fact thaN
he does not come forward OF his own
accord YOU see that he fears that ne
will be found. You must know that!
81 know that he must have soiae
good reason for keeping concealed,
Just as | know that he is innocent ana
will in good time establish his lnno-
cence," she said in firm tone.
Brit smiled sStiracally as he replied:
.'Of course you believe in him. But
I appeal now to your cold common
sense when I ask if one in a thousand
win believe as you do. Everybody IN
this town has made mp his mind. But
| wanted TO tell you one thing. IL IS
this: put his freedom or imprlson-
ment in your hands"
Kate started and repeated vaguely:
"En my hands"
Yves, | tell you the truth. | 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 I tell you ne is innocent. When
the right time comes he will prove 1t,
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 with
the truth were different"
How could Kate keep the thought
from flashing through her mind--""How
little I 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 said that
his safety now rests with your"
81 heard you, but your talk is folly.
Such thing cannot be-"
did 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?'
Kate had not understood before;
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 wretch as
thatl' she exclaimed. "No, that is i'm
possible!"
Burt, despite his boldness. shrank d
little as he saw and heard her.
"Alls 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 resolvsS, and he
was not going to be baffleD by her
scorn of him. He knew how adYan-
tageous position was his now.
Ito Be continued.)