Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-02-19
CHAPTER xv.-continued.

for the very reason that he had once
decided to have her for his wife. would
not retreat He would hang on to a
purpose as a bulldog hangs on to
hold of anything.
He leaned forward and put his
hand rather emphatically on Purcell's
arm.
Just listen to me moment, will
you. Purcell?''he asked.
The elder man looked up. as if inn
patient at being disturbed, and
snarled:
We'll. what do you want? If you
want money. you have only to wait
until we find that treasure, you know.
It's sure thing
Yes: the old man was fast becoming
a nonemaniac. 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
trelnor OF his lips.
But Burt was not man to waste
pity ON him. He had not lost his bal
ance OF mind. and he had dug for
treasure, but then. he had never
expected to find any. save in that one
exciting moment when he had seen
that chest brought to the light be.
meath their shovels. 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 im5ecile like Purcell any longer.
He was about tired of staying in
that place: he had some promising
speculations on hand, and he wanted
to be married and take his wife away
and he was man used to doing
as he wanted to do.
That's all bosh!" he exclaimed. in
answer TO Purcell's last words. land
l 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. | need my money very much
that have lent you. and | must have
1t. Can you promise it to me next
week."
Purcell's face grew more helpless
looking.
Il can't-you know, 1 can't" he
said. What's come over you. Dicko
haven't got five dollars. l told you
You before. All own in the world
is that poor little house and this boat"
Yes, said Dick, brutality. "and I've
a mortgage on them, you know, and
its drawn so can sell you up at
short notice. And I'll do it. too
Purcell's eyes glinmered with anger
for q moment; then the spark died
away and he said:
Il can't help it. l thought you were
friend or I'd never have borrowed of
you-l'm sure of that. Sell me up,
then. and Kate and l will so forth pen
niless-and | am an old man to go to
a strange place. And the treasure,
Dick bending nearer and speaking
with rapid emphasizes you give
that up"
Easy enough" Don't talk of that
any more
Then you are not partner with me
any moro"
No, I tell you. I'll have nothing
more TO do with it,
Then shall have thewhole! My
child will be rich.'
Purcell. as he spoke, half rose in his
seat. while he clasped his hands in an
ecstacv of anticipation Truly, his
rlind vas fast losing its strength.
Don't act like an IDIOT fiercely
cried Burt, feeling an impulse to strike
the nan who could talk like that
Don't YOU see you are ruined? How
do lou think YOU can so digging for
treasure waen Your daughters starv-
ing? II YOU can pay attention a mo-
n2fant l have proposition to make.
Do YOU hear me-"
Oh, yes, am listening!" meekly.
for Purcell vas suhdued and oycrawed
II" this strDr.g-wtised lawless fellow.
I'll give YOU more time to pay me-
N fact. III advance few hundred
more TO YOU o.! a condition. And then
you can stay here aad go On With your
digging"
But. Dick" interposed Purcell. 81
thought YOU believed in the treasure
as much as did
Never mind if l did. l giveit up
now, anyway. Do you want a chance
TO go on with Your search?"
You know co." eagerly.
Then III give you two weeks in
" AilS.A " AiSiP psi SueiS IAdlt W OG NY
wife. l can't waste much more time
about here
Purcell heard this in silence. With
an effort he put his mind on the sub
ject 1t was only by special exer;ion
that, now he fit 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 you?" 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 a very power
full means" said Dick.
What is it,
Make her understand that YOU are
ruined if she does not marry me. l
think you'll find the idea will have
weight with her. She is to save you
by that marriage. And no very hard
lot, must say" went on Burt, with
more excitement, ito marry a man