The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER xv.-contlnued.

Burt looked at Rates tatner mo-
ment, half puzzled what to do. He
was reused more fully than ever to
the nature of his feeling for the girl,
md then he was of that kind who
Dor the very reason that he had once
decided 70 have her for his wife, would
not retreat. He would hang on to
purpose as bulldog hangs on to a
hold OF anything.
He leaned forward, and put his
hand rather emphatically on Purcelfs
arm.
"Just listen 10 me a moment, will
you. Purcell?"he asked.
The elder man looked up, as II i'm.
patient at being disturbed. and
snarled:
well, what do you want? II you
want money you have only 70 wait
until we find that treasure, you know.
It's sure thing"
Yes the old man was fast becoming
q monemaniac, 1t seemed evident in
the eager glitter of his eyes when
he mentioned his one pet subject in
the nervous motion of his hands, the
tremor of his lips.
But Burt was not a man TO waste
pity on him. He had not lost his bal.
ance Of mind, and he had dug for
treasure, too but then, he had never
expected to fird any, save In that one
exciting moment when he had seen
that chest brought TO the light be-
meath their shoyels. But he shud.
dered as he recalled that time, He
had had enough of that kind Of work,
and he was not going to bother with
an imbecile like Purcell any longer.
He was about tired of staying In
that place; he had some promising
speculations on hand, and he wanted
20 be married and take his wife away
and he was a man used to doing
rs he wanted to do.
That's all boshi" he exclaimed, in
answer to Purcell's last words, "and
] believe the time has come to tell
you so. You never'll find any treasure
and can't wait for you to try any
longer. l need my money very much
that have lent you, and must have
X. Can you promise 1t to me next
week."
Purcell's face grew more helpless
looking.
Il can't-you know, can't" he
said. What's come over you, Dick?
J haven't got five dollars, | told you
you before. All | own In the world
Is that poor little house and this boat"
Yes" said Dick, brutally, "and I've
n mortgage on them, you know, and
it's drawn so | can sell you up at
short notice. And I'll do 1t, too"
Purcells eyes glimmered with anger
for moment; then the spark died
away and he said:
Il can't help 1t. thought you were
q friend or I'd never have borrowed of
you--I'm sure of that Sell me up,
then. and Kate and viii go forth pen
niless-and am an old man to go to
strange place. "And the treasure,
Dick" bending nearer and speaking
with rapid emphasis" you give
that up?"
Easy enough" Don't talk of that
any more"
Then you are not partner with me
any more?"
mo. tell you. I'll have nothing
more to do with II"
''Then | shall have thewhole! My
child will be richi"
Purcell. as he spoke, half rose In his
seat. while he clasped his hands in an
ecstacy of anticipation. Truly, his
mind was fast losing it's strength.
Don't act like an IDIOT" flercely
cried Burt, feeling an impulse to strike
che man who could talk like that.
Don't you see you are ruined? How
do you think you can so digging for
treasure when your daughters stary-
ing? II you can pay attention a mo-
ment have a proposition to make.
Do you hear me?'
"Oh, yes, | am listening!" meekly,
for Purcell was subdued aud overawed
by this strong-wilied. lawless fellow.
"I'll give you more time to pay me-
in fact. I'll advance a few hundred
more to you on condition. And then
you can stay here and go on with your
digging"
but. Dick" interposed Purcell, 81
thought you believed IN the treasure
as much as did"
Never mind If did. giveit up
now, anyway. Do you want a chance
% go on with your search?"
''You know I dol" eagerly.
''Then I'll give you two weeks In
which to help persuade Kate to be my
wife. can't waste much more time
about here"
Purcell heard this In silence. With
an effort he put his mind on the sub
ject II was only by special exertion
that. now the at of thinking of the
treasure had come upon him with re-
newed force, he could take his mind
from broding upon that one topic.
He thought of Kate now and of her
face as he had talked with her of Bert
the last time, but few days before.
"You can't make up your mind to
give her up, can your" he asked.
Burt swore that he could not, and
Purcell said:
"Then we must find some means to
bring her round to our ideas"
Il think can suggest very power
ful means" said Dick.
What is it?"
snake her understand that you are
ruined II she does not marry me. /
think you'll find the idea will have
weight with her. She is to save you
by that marriage. And no very hard
49, y,,uSt saw" went on Burt with