The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-04-18
CHAPTER xMI-continued.

i u this sweet night air might
do you good" Vance was saying to his
sister. Every day l hope you will be
we'll enough to go. Are you not a
little stronger tonight"
Eyes, I think so. Tomorrow we
may 60, 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" he said, YEARLY.
II am such a burden to you!" she
said. H"I thought l was strong in
health, but then I have been through
SO much!"
And her head dropped again to its
resting place.
Only a faint murmur of the voices
came to the two watchers in the
woods. :.
In a few moments Rothesay and his
sister rose and walked slowly toward
the hut, he with his 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 a blaze Of
light.
She was afraid Rothesay would hear
the furious throhbing of her heart,
though she pressed her hands upon it,
longing to stop it's beat forever.
Yes, it was Rothesay. and 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:
II can walk alone. I found ! was
very tired, but I am better now"
Burt did not insist upon assisting
here he merely walked in advance,
bending down branches and trying to
make her path easier.
He was wondering that she loved
Rothesay SC 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 ally.
So he reasoned, and he would have
been right concerning many women.
Not a word was spoken while the
two made their way out of the wood.
IIo ~rk har frf1 tho <n vpi on nnl co&
down beside her, while the horse
sprang forward, impatient to be gone.
Burt waitedsanxiously and ippa-:
tiently for Kate to speak, but shf
moti0nless as a statue besides
and seemed as incapable of speech as
If she were carved in marble.
AS they drew near the shore, Burt
asked:
Are you convinced?'
"Of his, falseness?' sch asked, speak
ing ma hard tone, very unlike her
usual voice of melody.
Yes, of his falseness-of his I'm.
worthiness," Burt responded.
II need only to tell you that hence
forward he can be nothing to me-" she
ICDllCu, III L1lO S01lS yOlSCs Htst.-H
Burt tried to restrain the manifesto
lions of his triumph; he knew thar he
must not reveal it too visibly. But lie
could not help saying, in a tone that
was not quite steady:
Kate. you take such a weight from
my mind. The man has deceived yon
most grossly"
<SArSl NV u,fl1 nayor mcmillan 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 l give q promise l intend to keep
IT."
Burt said no more. He felt assured
Of victory, and he left her with no,
other word.
TITS not my way to fall" he said
TO himself with q 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 sur will rise to-
morrow. Not many women can bear
what she has seen tonight. without
rushing into anythingsth that offers after
ward. I'll take her at the rebound.
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