Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1903-06-04
CHAPTER XXX.


"A~ oNDtJ1 A1onAA5 O. ANAs AC AuAANN ~
Burt and said:
This lady really needs some rest
Shall we not defer the ceremony an
hour or soa My wife viii give her
room"
"She may have time enough to rest
afterward: the ceremony cannot be
deferred" resolutely replied Dick.
Let II begin at once"
He turned TO Kate, who was sitting
motionless upon the chair upon which
she had sunk, and STOPPING. took her
kaad.
When she is Mrs. Burt she shall
do nothing but rest. but Just now
have no time to lose. Comet"
His manner was imperative. lis
) clasp upon Hates hand was almost
rough in its earnestness.
Kate would not struggle She SUI
fered her hand TO remain in his, but
she did not rise, and looking toward
the minister she said:
"If You are gentleman. you will
aid me now. I cannot marry him, and
viii not! ask your protection"
The minister changed color and be-
gan TO speak, and stammered.
He had decency enough in him to
wish himself well out Of the affair, but
he could not forget the enormous fee
wsicE had been promised him. and he
did not intend TO forego 1t. But ne
felt he was In hard situation.
"You need not stop 70 consider!"
cried Burt. quickly. Don't be squeam-
ish- This girl is going to be my wife
within the half hour; so begin the
shing!"
The man did not hesitate longer.
AS for Richard Burt, he grew secret
fy more and more afraid of the express
sion In Hates face, and he stopped
and whispered sayagely:
You can't help yourself now! You
Esy not consent, II you are fractions,
but we have the witnesses---the thing
done regularly-the certificates and
NIL, and you are completely helpless.
In spite OF yourself. you win be NY
wife!"
While Dick was saying this the min
lister had called In his wife and a
servant girl.
by Georgei" muttered Burt. what
In the devil do you look like that for.
Kate7 Are you going to make
scenef You'll find 1t won't payi"
The book was in the clergyman's
hand. and he had said the first few
words, when Kate sprang forward, her
lips parted to utter some word of
AxfTl De- - <se1
speak it, for just at that moment a
sound SO near and rapid that Kate
paused as the words trembled for ex-
pression-pau with wild hope, an
impossible hope In her mind.
In less than a moment more the
horse had stopped in front of the
house. and Just as Burt shook the
minister's shoulder, crying. why
don't you go or" the door was burst
open and Vance Rothesay appeared,
his pale face and flashing eyes gleam-
Ing like those OF some avenging spirit.
His swift glance caught and found
Kate In IA instant, and with quick,
gasping breath OF ::..,ss excitement of
utter thankfulness, the girl sprang
into his arms, that were extended TO
her. and hid her face on his shoulder.
Vance turned his face toward Burt,
who stood In an amazement that rem
dered him powerless for the moment.
what would you do with my wife?"
cried Rothesay fiercely. I knew you
were villain. but this is beyond even
my conception OF your scoundrelisml"
"Your wlfe?" was all that Burt
could say, in tone of stupefaction.
''Yes! We were secretly married
but q short time before you found out
the secret OF my hiding place in the
woods thought that by making her
my wife then I could more easily
shield her from your plots: and as she
was TO be my wife some time, I per-
zuaoed her to become SO then. But I
have been poor protector-fate has
been against me In my efforts to care
for her. But / am a free man now,
and defy you or any one else to mo-
lest her more. Good heavens! I had
no idea she would be exposed to such
dangersi"
The hurried, fery 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 BIN all that
he had ytriven for--the gill who
should have been his. and the fortune
which had inst fallen TO her and OF
which she was still ignorant--and
taken from him by the man whom he
hated above ali others.
He was beside himself with fury.
He leaped forward, drawing from his
pocket q small revolver as he did so.
and he had thrust 1t almost against
Rothesay's head before the latter had
seen him, for Vance was bending
down to the dear face that rested SO
trustfngly against him.
Bur Kate cav fha aausyer Arrt 49,