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

! herself she was wrong In that re-
solve, and SHE said:
81 am willing to work harder than
do now. ! could support you both and
myself. father. Think again before
you are angry with me for this refusal.
| am a human being--an Individual
| like yourself--and have a right to re-
| fuse such a thing. l cannot become
| Dick Burt's wife No, will never con-
| sent to that. You need never ask me.
| will work for you day and might. |
will be your slave, but / will not be
| his wife"
The color which had for a moment
swept up into the girls face now ebbed
away. leaving her so pale that it
seemed impossible for her TO have
| strength to stand. But there was no
wavering in her resolve.
Her father was in that condition
| when he cared for nothing with such
Intensity as he cared for the power to
go on with that search which filled all
his thoughts.
Burt could give him the power II
Burt married Kate, he could still have
the means Of carrying on his secret
labors. If Burt did not marry her, he
did not see how he was going to stay
he would be driven from his home,
disgraced. He was not so blind but
he could see that Burt would deal
with him cruelty.
So weakened had Purcelrs affections
become, so changed the powers of his
In hot hn fnl hr,f
as he listened to Hates words and saw
the expression of her face-the ex.
preston which told him he could not
expect to change her,
Very WELL" he said, with contemp-
tuous coldness: ut will be as you say,
of course. The time has gone by
when a father can force his daughter
TO obey him in such a command. II Is
as well, perhaps, that l have discov-
cred what kind of daughter have
that all her professions of love meant
nothing"
Hates gaze softened from it's stern
resolve into look of love and plead
ing, but she turned in silence and
walked toward the door. She passed
through it, hesitating, then turned
back
She approached her father, threw
herself upon her knees by him and
seized his hands, pressing her face
down on them, for now a flood of bit
ter tears was pouring from her eyes,
and sobs uncomfortable shook her
frame.
She had loved her father dearly, and
until of late, though never a strong.
minded man, he had been worthy Of
that love.
Purcell's face lightened-she was
about to yield to his wishes. He bent
over her, saying almost tenderly:
do not feel thus. You see Il Is
nothing so fearful ask of you. He
will be devoted to you, you will be as
happy as most women. and you will
save your father"
AS soon as she could speak, Kate
raised her face and Purcell, even, was
thrilled by the sweet beauty of it, the
duplication In the fearful eyes and
upon the quivering lips.
Let US move away from here" she
whispered. ''Let us go where no one
knows us and where you will be your
self again, father, and will love me.
Something has changed you. Burt's
influence has been bad. You used not
to be in debt. We have lived poorly,
but we have not owed. Let us go this
very day. Leave the house and all to
Burt. We will COVE will go within
the hour. Come, tell me you will"
Her trembling impetuosity did not
shake his resolve, but he was troubled.
She hung upon him-she poured
forth her entreaties with passionate
accent-and he had thought she was
about to consent to his wishes.
mo, mol" he said at last, withdraw
Ing his hand from hers. 81 must stay
here. / have special object In stay.
ing here. l can beg my bread il can
not earn It, and all will know that my
child refused the only thing her father
asked. | thought you had relented.
Don't stay with me longer, let me try
to bear my disappointment alone"
Kate rose to her feet as he spoke
thus
II cannot see that It is my duty to
obey you in this" was her hardly aust.
BILE response, and Purcell was left
alone.
STILL" he said to himself, BURT will
succeed. He always does. She's as
stubborn a piece of womanhood as
he'll ever have to deal with. I've done
all could. and now I'll look over those
plans again, for I mean TO so out and
try digging again tonight"
And while Kate was suffering an
anguish that would forever leave its
mark upon her life, her father soon
forgot everything but the one object
and ruling thought of his life-the
thought and the hope of finding the
buried treasure of some dead prl.
vateer.
CHAPTER XVII.