The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-01-22
CHAPTER XII.
Richard Burt receives a Smile.

there seemed kind of hardening. He
did not suspect the cause, for the girl
had always kept herself 50 well in
hand that she had betrayed nothing OF
her secret.
Yet he believed he had never been so
miserably unhappy before.
Directly after dinner, with Charles
PurcelPs help, he mounted the stairs
to his own room. He wished to be
alone. He was deeply Inundated at
the weakness which had led him to ex-
press to Kate a feeling which it was
dishonorable In him to feel-far more
to allow to be known.
There was battle within him, more
fierce than that which Kate had~en-
dured. 1t was hard for him to lie still.
He longed to leave the place: he felt
as If in fight lay his only assurance of
safety. 1t is true, he had said nothing
bur what many men might have said,
and still have meant nothing but an
admiration that might be harmless.
But so well did he now know his own
heart that he could not but feol that he
had revealed more than he ought.
Still Kate so vigorously had she con-
trolled herself, had not revealed what
she felt, and Rothesay had so little
conceit that he had no idea of her
thoughts of him.
Though he told himself he was glad
she had not felt any tenderness, yet
the very belief stung him with an in
tolerable pain. He was nothing TO her
she never would have loved him.
Thinking thus, tossing restlessly on
his couch. he at last fell into dis
turbed sleep, the last thing of which
he was conscious being resolve to
leave on the morrow.
Notwithstanding the strength of his
resolution, he was not able to leave
the place the next day; but on the day
following he came down stairs, look
ing like ghost, though with resolve
strongly written on his face.
"Will you do me the kindness to or
der the depot carriage to come for me
In time for the 10 o'clock train?" he
asked of Mr.. Purcell.
But you are not strong enough; It
is the height of rashness. You should
remain here a couple of days more, at
least" was the expostulating answer.
Rothesay could not help glancing at
Kate, and she said:
at does seem very rash, Mr.. Rothe-
say"
She had come to that condition when
she was longing to have him go--as
one who has anticipated some blow so
long that one is impatient to have it
fall.
"You are very kind. hope I shall
some time be able to show my sense Of
gratitude; but must be the Judge of
my own strength. II you will order the
carriage, Mr.. Purcell?"
Certainly, / will do So"
Purcell rose and left the room, and
Vance and Kate were left alone. She
longed to run away, but she could not
well rise and leave directly.
Rothesay was leaning back I'm his
chair, unable to take his eyes from this
girl whom he expected never to see
again. He could not help it that he
felt the parting from her to be like
death to him, but he must prevent the
revealing OF that feeling.
At last, saying something about some
work out of doors, Kate rose to leave
the room; but she was detained by his
voice:
"Miss Purcell"
She turned, subduing the tremor that
came upon her at the sound of his
voice.
II believe this is my goodbye, for
the carriage will stop here in a few
moments. | am foolish, know, but
still cannot help asking II l may al
ways think of you as a friend?"
The words were very commonplace;
but he felt that he could not go with
out speaking them, miserably cold and
Insignificant though they were. He
held out his hand as he spoke, and she
put hers into it.
81 am your friend" she said.
Some instinct made him say:
"And IL ever / need one who. is truly
O friend. may rely upon you'll may
call upon your"
you know that you may" she made
answer, thinking how unlikely 1t was
that such time would ever come.
Then she turned away and left him,
and half an hour later Mr.. Purcell as
sisted him to mount the carriage that
was to take him to the railroad station.
He lifted his hat. his pallid face
Hlumined by a sad smile, when he
leaned back on the seat and was driy.
en- out Of sight.
Kate was glad that her father left
the house soon after for the day. She
was thankful to be alone in the battle
that she must fight, that she might go
on with her life, and let no one know
from her manner of the wound which
she concealed.
Meanwhile, Rothesay reached the
station, bought his ticket, and sat
down upon a seat on the platform,
hoping the fresh air might revive him.
He was glad to realize more than
ever this morning that his physical
powers were returning TO him. He felt
much stronger, despite his exertions,
than since his illness, and the fact
made his courage rise--the courage
that should help him to conquer love
that was dishonorable.
There We're very few people at the
little station--one or two countrymen
and the stationmaster.
Suddenly Rothesay heard step be-
hind him, more light and elastic than
the others. and voice asked: