The pioneer press. (Miller, Hand County, S.D.) 1893-190?, 1903-03-19
CHAPTER Xxx.
Rothesay,s place Of Refuas.

many acreS-the only woods OF any
size within fifteen or twenty miles.
Although ii was so dark he did not
hesitate as to the direction he should
take. He soon left the cart path and
plunged into the thick wood at his left.
He seemed TO 70 by instinct, for his
mind was wholly occupied with his
thoughts of the girl te had met-of
the words and tones which stun thrilled
him almost as much in the memory OF
them as when he had heard them.
For while he forget 70 fear for her
safety or his own; he forgot every
thing. and felt nothing save the en-
chanting intoxication Of that mutual
love
Though he was fleeing under tho
gravest suspicion, though his future
seemed utterly darkened. yet never be-
fore had Vance Rothesay been 50 hap
py-neyer before had he loved.
He had gone on thus for an nour
when he came TO a small opeLing
amoEg the trees, where the light Of the
stars glimmered down, family reveal
fng small hut of logs that looked like
black spot in the deep dusk OF the
place.
He advanced slowly toward the door
of the hut and drew key from his
pocket and put ii in the lock.
The rusty bolt resisted, but turned
at last, and he pushed the door open.
The darkness within was greater
than that without After having care
fully locked the door, Rothesay CROPPED
his way a few steps, and put his hand
on rough shelf in search OF matches.
There seemed some other movement
I'm the room besides his own, and the
sound of low sigh came to his ear.
IL hope you have slept" he said.
eyes, but to sleep is to dream such
fearful dreams" was the answer, in a
woman's voice. Then the,volce asked.
''Why did you stay so long? | have
had a thousand fears concerning you.
imagined you caught by the officers. I"
you see It is not safe to give rein
20 your imagination responded Roth
essay, in a cheerful tone.
And no whe had found the matches.
and the next moment he lit a small
lamp that stood on the shelf.
He looked about him; carefully ex-
amined the heavy wooden shutter that
covered the one small window.
81 wonder how far our light throws
its beams?" he said, in a tone of APP
parent cheerfulness.
He left the hut and walked around II,
looking to see IL any ray of light found
its way out. But the hut looked as
dark as IL Ii had no light within 1t.
When he entered the second time he
went and bent over the lounge. or
more proprly the bench, where half re-
clined the other occupant of this
strange place.
81 hope you will not leave me again.
Varce," she said, almost peevishly
catching one OF his hands and drawing
him down on the lounge.
II see horrible shapes and | think
every rustic of leaf is the sound of a
policeman's footsteps. And think the
trees seem full of eyes"
And do scare away all these hor
rible things?" asked Vance, in that
tone of systematic cheerfulness, gently
strolxing her hand as he smoke.
II feel safer when you are here--sc
much safer!" she whispered, laying
her head on Vance's shoulder and
nesting up nearer to him.
In moment long shudder went
through her, and she put her hand
over her eyes as If to hide something
from her sight.
"Do you feel sure he is dead?" she
asked, at last.
There can be no doubt OF It," he
answered firmly. "and must beg OF
you again not 70 let the idea that he is
not dead grow upon you. You must
not do that. The past, with its sins
is gone. You are to think of 1t nc
more"
His words seemed to calm her for 9
short time, but only for a short time
then she drew herself away from hin
quickly and exclaimed:
"Oh. what made that kill him? Yes
was Jealous enough to kill him, ant
for one brief moment meant to do ii
] saw him kiss her-that poor, miser
able shop girl He even looked at he
as he used to look at me. And he ha'
persuaded her into meeting him there
But hardly knew the pistol was goini
OF, and would have given my life I,
have recalled the shot after IL hat
rene. oh, is it true that he is dead
and that killed him? And he love,
me oncei'
The words poured in rapid success
sion from her lips, and deep colo
rose to her face, her eyes burning f
verishly bright.
Vance rose and gently laid the cir
down on the couch.
''Haye not forbidden you to DE,
on that suDjectg" he asked, alrnos
sternly. do you wish to make n
harsh to you, Rachael2 Indeed car
not have you making yourself i'll Xix
this. Must | threaten you?"
Rothesay stood a little ways distan
from her, looking down at her wit
sorrow and perplexity in his face.
He did not know what to do or say
he knew that she must suffer, and hi
heart ached with that knowledge.
.sYou know that he loved me once?