Courier Democrat. (Langdon, N.D.) 1891-1920, 1903-06-04
CHAPTER XXI.

Whom Kate Purcell handed the al
most untasted glass to the minister,
wt!o stood looking at her. he turned to
b.; and said:
his lady really needs some rest.
Shall we not defer the ceremony an
hoHr or so? My wife will give her a
rcon'
She may have time enough to rest
afterwards; the ceremony cannot be
deferred" resolutely replied Dick.
Let it begin at once"
lie turned to Kate, who was sitting
motionless upon the chair upon which
She had sunk, and STOPPING. took her
hand
When she is Mrs. Burt she shall
do nothing but rest, but just now
Nave no time to lose. Come"
His manner was imperative, his
clasp upon Hates hand was almos:
to'.s.. in its earnestness.
kate would not struggle She suf-
feed her hand to remain in his, but
She did not rise, and looking toward
the minister she said:
III you are a gentleman, you will
aid me now. l cannot marry him, and
Will not! l ask your protection.
The minister changed color and be-
gan TO speak, and stammered.
He had decency enough in him to
wish himself we'll out of the affair. but
he could not forget the enormous fee
which had been promised him, and he
did not intend to forego it. But he
telt he was in a hard situation.
You need not stop to consider!"
cried Burt, quickly. Don't be squeam-
ish. This girl is going to be nv wife
within the half hour; so begin the
thing"
The man did not hesitate longer.
AS for Richard Burt, he grew secret
iy more and more afraid of the express
sion in Hates face, and he stopped
and whispered savagely:
You can't help yourself now! You
may not consent, if you are fractions,
but we have the witnesses-the thing
done regularly-the certificates and
all. and you are completely helpless.
IN spite of yourself, you will be my
wife,"
While Dick was saying this the min
lister had called in his wife and a
servant girl.
81. George" muttered Burt What
III the devil do you look like that for,
Kate? Are you going to make a
scene? You'll find it won't pay!'
The book was in the cergyman's
hand. and he had said the first few
words. when Kate sprang forward, her
lip. parted to utter some word Of
thrilling import. But she did not
50 ak it, for just at that moment a
sound SO near and rapid that Kate
paused as the words trembled for ex-
pre:sion-paused with wild hope. an
Saa"cssible hone IN her mind.
In less than a moment moro the
horse had stopped in front of the
}o3:se. and just as Burt shook the
minister's shoulder. crying Why
don't you so oa?' the door was burst
ni1"a and Vance Rothesay appeared.
li5 as,a face and flashing eyes glea.n-
Ing Ike those OF some avenging spirit
HI; swift glance caught and found
Tata in an instant, and with a quick,
s25i.ing breath of the excitement OF
r"f@t thankfulness. the girl sprang
:.to Ills arms, thar were extended to
he. and hid her face on his shoulder.
Vance turned his face toward Burt,
a'ho stood in an amaZement that rem
s!er2d him powerless for the moment
What would you do with my wife,"
cried Rcthesay fercely. l knew you
were VILLAIN, but this is beyond even
my conception OF your scoundrelism."
Your wife, was all that Burt
coild say, in tone of stupefaction.
Yes, We were secretly married
but short time before you found out
the aecret OF my hiding place in the
woods. l thought that by making her
my wife then ! could more easily
Shield her from your plots; and as she
was 20 be my wife some time. per-
5;!aCed her to become SO then But
have been a poor protector-fate has
been against me in my efforts to care
for her. But am free man now.
and / defy you or any one else 10 mo.
Ie.' I.Si more. LOOQ heavens. l had
no idea she would be exposed to such
dangers"
The hurried, fiery words swept over
the senses of his audience like a tor
rent. They stood mutely for a mo.
ment, and Burt was the first to re-
cover himself from the surprise into
which he had been thrown.
A terrible rage took possession of
him. He saw taken from him all that
he had striyen for-the girl who
should have been his, and the fortune
which had just fallen to her and Of
which she was still ignorant-and
taken from him by the man whom he
hated above all others.
He was beside himself with FURY
He leaped forward. drawing from his
pocket small revolver as he did So
and he had thrust it almost against
Rothcsay's head before the latter had
seen him, for Vance was bending
down to the dear face that rested so
trusting!y against him