The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-04-04

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 dc
not doubt this?"
She shok her head; she knew that
he had told her the truth.
HE knows whether he is guilty OF
not, and I will express no opinion about
that. He knows well enough he has
little chance Of acquittal If he were
tried. He knows it SO we'll 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 fact that
he does not come forward of his own
accord you see that he fears that he
will be found. You must know that?"
II know that he must have some
good reason for keeping concealed,
just as I know that he is innocent and
will in good time establish his limo
cence," she said, In a firm tone.
Brit smiled ~satiracally as he replied:
'Of course you believe in him. But
I appeal now to your cold common
r1-~or rr,1@~ r oo1y ~ 0rn in q fhnV1SQn6
will believe as you do. Everybody in
this. town has made up his mind. But
1 wanted to tell you n thing. 1t is
this: 1 put. his freedom or imprison'
ment in your hands"
Kate started and repeated vaguely:
"In my hands"
eyes, l tell you the truth. I have
discovered his place of retreat; l 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 l tell you he 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. I tell you, Kate
Purcell, l know some things of that
man which. would make even you Wish
the truth were different"
I How could Kate keep the thought
from flashing through her mind-"How
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 I said that
his safety now rests with you?"
81 heard you, but your talk Is folly.
Such a thing cannot be-"
did I not tell you I knew his hiding
placer" and Burt advanced close to
Kate and bent over her until his hur-
ried breath swept her face, while his
ayes 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.
"rYou cannot be such a wretch as
that" she exclaimed. mo, that is i'm
possible!"
Burt, despite his boldness, shrank .
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 bafled by her
scorn of him. He knew how advan'
tageous a position vas his now.
Ito Be continued.)
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