The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-03-12

MS eyes liked on the point OF Ian
= which he hoped to gain before Bur
should recover. ..
Now and then he darted glance a
that boat which floated silently bt
Q hind him.. betraying no motion as YET
Only let him have three full minute
/ more and he would be on land wher
, he defed Burt to find him with III
, start he should have.
, But before one minute more hat
gone by he saw Burt struggling to al
upright position. Dick saw INSTANTLY
the chance he had Of overtaking thu
. fugitive, and with his head still swim
ming from the blow he seized The
oars and the boat seemed TO jump for
ward like thing alive under his
hands.
He had murder in his heart as he
piled the oars and saw Rothesay SO
near him. He did not speak this time;
he saved his breath and his strength.
Rothesay saw he was wasting his
powers in trying to scull his boat now.
He flung down his oar and thrust his
band into his pocket, crying:
Don't come any nearer! am too
desperate not to defend myself well (!
tell you, if you want to live, not 10
! come nearer!"
The tone of the voice, as much as the
words, caused Burt's oars to cease
their motion for a moment.
You don't mind killing another fell
low, of course!" he said. "You have a
pistol and you mean to use it2"
''Yes, IL you make me-"
In the silence that followed the two
men could be heard breathing heavily.
All the devil in Burt was reused.
This was the man who had won Kate
Purcell's love. Had not the lightning
showed him the two? Had it not
showed Rothesay's arm encircling her?
Oh, yes, Kate loved him! OF that
Burt felt as convinced as if he himself
had heard her declare ii. 1t had not
been Ralph Caryl nor any other man
who was his real rival. 1t was this
man whom he believed he had in his
power.
But still Burt did not care to have n
pistol ball put in him If he could help
It,; not but that he would risk that,
and anything else, to succeed in his
present purpose of capturing and de-
hyerihg Rothesay over to the authori-
ties-for Burt knew the suspicious that
were gaining ground every moment
concerning his rival.
Il was foolish enough to leave my
pistol at home" said Burt, while he
tried to think what should be his next |
move. Otherwise we would have a |
duel right here. Do you really mean |
to shoot me If make another attempt
upon your
Yes, Why need we spend this time
in talking? Either let me go unfol-
lowed, or risk my fire."
1T pleases me to spend few min
utes in talking, so you must submit
unless, indeed, you are pleased to fire
upon me before attack you In that
case, should not be your first victim"
Rothesay was writhing with impa-
thence, but he could do nothing EXCEPT
submit. If he tried to go, Burt would
pursue, and he dreaded to resort to his
pistol unless compelled to do so.
1T will all end in your shooting me.
OF course" went on Burt, in a tone
which increased Rothesays fury, for
that is way you have. Still, l shall
do my best to succeed in my plan. II
you please, we shall make Kate Pur-
cell the subject Of our talk for :. mo-
ment"
He heard Rothesay's hand move, as If
{ could hardly be restrained from
shooting the man who spoke thus.
But secure In the conviction that IN
II he made a movement of attack he
vas safe, he went on: .....
'You don't like the subject. Ell?
Well, that's unfortunate, because / am
Solng to make you a proposition. II :
'ou will give me your word as a man
II honor-Ill be bound you consider
'ourself one-never to seek Kate Pur
ell again, to give her up from this
moment, I'll not only cease my pursuit t.
Il you. but will aid your escape; and
ny aid will be very effectual, I'll prom !,
Sc you. Now, what do you say?'
Perhaps never in his life before had
been so hard for Vance Rothesay to n
ontrol the rage that made him trem- o
lie, that made his eyes burn with ferc- o
st light And he must stand here and o
stem TO such words, or precipitate the d
loment when he might be compelled n
use the weapon that was grasped so RI
ghtly in his hand
He did not speak, and Burt, leaning
'rward to peer more closely in his
ice, went on in still more insulting
me: =
you don't like the idea? Well. | al
knowledge Kate is a girl whom W
othing should compel me to give up. r
ut then, you know, you amt the kind .,
a man to marry a girl in her posi- ~
on; besides, you have love in Your
yn sphere of life iI Philadelphia. so h,
ey tell me. It's your only chance of
'tting out of this scrape. You needn't .,
I'VE run your head into such a moose 90
coming down here to see Kate. It's
ne you can kill me, but you'll hang .,
it. I've offered you a very EASY =,
ny Of getting out of the affair. and w.
u'll be wise II you consent" =,
DO you intend 20 say any more in q,
at strainT' asked Rothesay, in so e.,
'dnge voice as IN sfartla pprt a., I =