The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1903-02-21
CHAPTER xv-contlnued.

ment, half puzzled what to do. He
was reused more fully than ever to
the nature of his feeling for the girl,
and then he was of that kind who,
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 q
hold of anything.
He leaned forward, and put his
hand rather emphatically on Purcell's
arm.
Just listen to me a moment, will
you, Purcell?"he asked.
The elder a looked up. as If i'm
patient at being disturbed, and
snarled:
"Well, what do you want? II you
want money. you have only to wait
until we find that treasure, you know.
It's a surefthing."
Yes; the old man was fast becoming
a monemaniac. 1t seemed evident in
the eager glitter of his eyes when
he mentioned his pet subject in
the nervous motion of his hands, the
tremor of his lips.
But Burt was not a man to waste
pity on him. He had not lost his bal
ance Of mind, and he had dug for
treasure, too;but then, he had never
expected to find any, a in that one
exciting moment when he had seen
that chest brought to the light be-
dered as he recalled that time, He
had had enough of that kind of work,
and he was not going to bother with
en- imbecile 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 a man used to doing
as he wanted to do.
That's all bosh!" he exclaimed, in
answer to Purcell's last words, land
II believe the time has come to tell
you so. You neyer'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
It. Can you promise it to me next
week?""
Purcell's face grew more helpless
looking. $50
=" can't-you know, 1 can't" he
said Whats come over you, Dick?
haven't got five dollars, I told you
you: before. Ali I own in the world
is that poor little house and this boat"
Yes said Dick, brutally, "and I've
. mortgage on them, you know, and
.tttssdFaWn so l can sell you up at
short notice. And I'll do it, too"
Purcell's eyes glimmered with anger
for a moment; then the spark died
away and he said:
Il can't help it. l thought you we're
q friend or I'd eve have borrowed of
you-I'm sure of that. Sell me up,
then, and Kate and I will go forth pen
niless-and l am an old man to go to
q strange place. "And the treasure,
Dick" bending nearer and speaking
with rapid emphasis-"can you give
that up?"
Easy enough" Don't talk of that
any MORE"
Then you are not partner with me
any more?"
mo, I tell you. I'll have nothing
more to do with it,"
Then I shall have thewhole! My
child will be rich!"
Purcell, as he spoke, half rose in his
seat, while he clasped his hands in an
ecstacy of anticipation. Truly, his
mind was fast losing its strength.
Don't act like an idiot" fiercely
cried Burt, feeling an impulse to strike
the man who could talk like that.
Don't you see you are ruined? How
do you think you can go digging for
treasure when your daughters starv-
ing? II you car pay attention a mo-
,ment / have a proposition to make.
Do you hear me?"
ooh. yes, l am listening!!" meekly,
for Purcell was subdued and overawed
by this strong-willed, lawless fellow. N
a '"I'll give you more time to pay me
in fact. I'll advance a few hundred
more to you OH a condition And then
you can stay here and go on with your
digging ay. g., s,
But, Dick" i~nterposed Purcell. II
as much as l did"
Never mind If I did. l giveit up
now, anyway. Do you want a chance
TO 60 on with your search?"
you know / do" eagerly.
Then III give. you two weeks in
which to help'persuade Kate to be my
wife: I cant waste much more time
about here" h !.
Purcell heard this In silence. with
an effort he put his mind: on the sub
tject.sfIt was only by special exertion
that; now the. 1T Of thinking OF the
treasure, had come upon him with re-
newed force, he could take his mind
from" broding uponSthat one topics
He. thought, of Kate nov and; other
face as he had talked withgher Of Bert
the last time, but asfew days before.
.You cant make up your mind to
give her up, can your he asked.
Burt swore that he could not, and
Purcell said,
Il" .F'hen we,Inust find some means to
bring her round to our IDEAS"
4 Isthink lean suggest a very power
'ful means said Dick. ia Il t%S
What is it," s.S
Make her understand that you are
ruinedsif she does not marry me.I
thinkIyouM find the idea will have
weightWwith her.aShe is to save you
by thatSmarriage. And NO very hard
lot. 1 must say went on Burt With
more excitement, ITO marry man
who wor1hips her, VOW shes =