Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-03-19
CHAPTER Xxx.
Rothesay's Place of Refuge.

SMl1L walk. He was IN the midst OF a
large extent of wood which covered
many acres-the only woods of any
size within fifteen or twenty miles.
Although it was so dark he did not
hesitate as to the direction he should
take. He soon left the cart path and
plunged into the thick wood at his left.
He seemed to go by instinct. for his
mind was wholly occupied with his
thoughts of the girl he had met-of
the words and tones which still thrilled
him almost as much in the memory OF
them as when he had heard them.
For While he forget to fear for her
safety or his own; he forgot every
thing. and felt nothing save the en-
chanting intoNication of that mutual
love.
Though he was fleeing under the
gravest suspicion. though his future
seemed utterly darkened. yet never be-
fore had Vance Rothesay been so hap
py-never before had he loved.
He had gone on thus for an hour
when he came TO small opening
among the trees, where the light of the
stars glimmered down, family reveal
ing a small hut of logs that looked like
black spot in the deep dusk of the
place.
He advanced slowly toward the door
of the hut and drew a key from his
pocket and put it in the lock.
The rusty bolt resisted, but turned
at last, and he pushed the door open.
The darkness within was greater
than that without After having care
fully locked the door, Rothesay CROPPED
his way few steps, and put his hand
on a rough shelf in search of matches.
There seemed some other movement
in the room besides his own. and the
sound of low sigh came to his ear.
Il hope you have slept he said.
Yes, but to sleep is to dream such
fearful dreams, was the answer, in a
woman's voice. Then the voice asked,
why did you stay so long? l have
had thousand fears concerning you.
imagined you caught by the officers
You see it is not safe to give rein
TO your imagination" responded Roth
essay, in a cheerful tone.
And no whe had found the matches,
and the next moment he lit a small
lamp that stood on the shelf.
He looked about him: carefully ex-
amined the heavy wooden shutter that
covered the one small window.
II wonder how far our light throws
its beams?" he said. in tone of ap-
parent cheerfulness.
lie left the hut and walked around it,
looking to see if any ray of light found
its way out. But the hut looked as
dark as if it had no light within it.
When he entered the second time he
went and bent over the lounge. or
more proprly the bench, where half re-
clined the other occupant of this
strange place.
81 hope you will not leave me again.
Vance," she said. almost peevishly,
catching one of his hands and drawing
him down on the lounge.
Il see horrible shapes and I think
every rustic of a leaf is the sound of a
polceman's footsteps. And l think the
trees seem full of eyes"
and do l scare away all these hor-
rible things?" asked Vance, in that
tone Of systematic cheerfulness. gently
stroking her hand as he spoke.
Il feel safer when you are here-so
much safer!' she whispered, laying
her head on Vance's shoulder and
nestling up nearer to him.
In a moment a long shudder went
through her, and she put her hand
over her eyes as if to hide something
from her sight
<'Do you feel sure he is dead?" she
asked, at last.
There can be no doubt of it, lie
answered firmly, land | must beg OIL
you again not to let the idea that he is
not dead grow upon you. You must
not do that The past, with it's sins,
is gone. You are to think of it no
more
His words seemed to calm her for a
short time, but only for short time;
then she drew herself away from him
quickly and exclaimed:
ooh, what made that kill him? Yes.
was jealous enough to kill him, and
for one brief moment l meant to do it..
I saw him kiss her-that poor, miser-
able shop girl. He even looked at her
as he used to look at me. And he had
persuaded her into meeting him there.
But hardly knew the pistol was going
off, and would have given my life to
have recalled the shot after it had
gone. Oh, is it true that he is dead ?
and that killed him? And he loved
me once"
The words poured in rapid success
sion from her lips. and deep color
rose to her face. her eyes burning fe-
-verishly bright.
Vance rose and gently laid the girl
down on the couch.
"Have | not forbidden you to dwell
on that subject?" he asked, almost
sternly. do you wish to make me
harsh to you, Rachael? Indeed, can
not have you making yourself ill like
this. Must l threaten you?"
Rothesay stood a little ways distant
from her, looking down at her with
sorrow and perplexity in his face.