The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-02-26

+ mo. But he must come forward
and clear himself. Every moment
that he waits makes II harder to do so.
You must understand that. Miss Pur.
cell. Do you know where he isg"
81 do"
For a moment Loud doubted IL she
told the truth, but only for moment
and looking at her, he who knew
faces so well, must believe her.
II appeal to you, in the cause Of
truth and Justice" he exclaimed ear.
nestly, not to conceal what you may
know. Why does he secrete himself
in this manner? II you have any in
! huence with him beseech him to come
forward. Suspicion gathers closer and
closer about him. He must be insane.
being innocent. as you think, to act
thus. Miss Purcell, will you let me
see that letter."
Kate loked at him with angry eyes,
/ but she did not reply directly.
remember how necessary il Is that
Z you assist me in discovering him. IL
he is innocent he can doubtless prove
bis Innocence. May see the letter."
he asked again.
You would not believe me If I told
you it would reveal nothing" she re-
Piled
And she drew the letter from Rer
pocket, extending II toward him.
Loud was inexpressibly surprised at
her yielding thus. With unconcealed
eagerness he took the letter.
But his countenance fell as he read:
Il cannot resist addressing you.o it
began, though | know there may be
danger In so doing, But let me at
least entreat you to believe in me. /
could not live and know that you sus.
pected me. ! am hampered by cir.
cumstances which | cannot now ex.
piain--a sacred promise prevents me.
! only ask you again to believe in nv
honor ard uprightness. dare not
write the words which throne to be
uttered. You know it is not safe TO
trust written words abroad"
There was no name signed to the |
4etter-no date. IL absolutely told |
nothing, save that to Loud it appeared |
to reveal that an artful man was de.
ceiving pure and noble girl.
Where was this mailed?" he asked.
returning it to her.
am willing to tell you" she re.
Piled. ut was mailed in Boston,"
And you know where to address
him?"
Il should direct to Boston, though I
have had no instructions to do so. You
have read all he wrote"
Yes" exclaimed Loud, 81 have read
II all, and | find that he knows very
well how TO conceal himself! For an
innocent man he is very skillful."
The detective spoke with great BIT.
terness and regretted it the moment
he haG done so. This case was irri.
teting him greatly. He seemed not
able to keep his temper.
HE is Innocent" was the reply
Kate made, in that tope Of voice which
admits of no doubt.
Loud scarcely heard her. He was
standing with his eyes cast down. his
thoughts fixed upon one subject.
i viii find this Vance Rothesay who
writes so securely from Bostonl T
viii ind him before the week is out or
Will never calrmyself detective more" |
With an effort he turned to Kate and
said
You ought to thank me II am able
TO bring this man to his senses. So
mat he may remove suspicion from
himself"
Il do not fear for him." was the cold.
emphatic reply.
Loud turned away abruptly and Kate
went slowly home. :
The day passed In that quiet that
'hrouded nearly all her days She
was thankful that Dick Burt RETAINED ]
rom coming near her. Her father
Notwithstanding her decision, had Civ.
IN her certain time in which to con.
tent to become Dicks wife, and on the !
lext day that time would expire.
But she gave no thought to that For
'he could not change her mind But
the dreaded that time when the sub. $
ect would be mentioned again be.
ween them.
In the meantime Purcell had given
himself to the delusion which had an I
much power over him. He was away
nearly all night and returned exhaust. o
d with fatigue. He spent his DAYS in g
he study OF that yellow book and in v
lrawing plans, erasing and correcting
hem. a
Cro be contInued.) v