The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-01
& cHAPTERa vi.
aI,ve conn ldeEe 81 LINe..Rl

ence, u would De mp0Ba1Dle 10 decide
which felt the greater uneasiness at
the prospect immed iately before them.
The girl. openly rebellions, the man
extremely doubtful, with reluctant
steps they approached that tall. home
~, yellow house outwardly the most
pretentious In Glencaid.
They were SO completely opposite,
these two, that more than one chance
passer.by glanced curiously toward
them as they picked their way onward
through the red dust. Hampton, slen.
der vel, firmly knit, his body held erect
as though trained to the profession Of
arms, his features finely chiseIled; with
threads OF gray hair beginning to show
conspicuously about the temples. His
attire OF fashionable cut black cloth,
and his Immaculate linen, while neat
and .unobtrusiye,, yet appeared ex-
tremely unusual in that careless land
Of clay:baked overalls and dingy
woolens. Beside him, in vivid con.
trast, the girl trudged in her heavy
shoes and bedraggled skirts, her sullen
eyes fastened doggedly on tie road,
her hair showing ragged aud fidisrep-
utaBIe In the brilliant sunshine.
Hampton himself couldlnot remain al
together indifferent To the contrast. q
"You look Q little rough Kid, for
society CALL" he said. 'If there was
any shebang in, this mud-hole Of q
town that kept any women's things on
sale at to look at, I'd be tempted to az
you up q BIZ" = :.
81 "well,l I'm glad Of it" she respond
ed, grfmly. II hope look 80 blame
tough that woman won't kay1 afciYil
word to Us. You can bet ] amt going
ito strain myself to please the likes OF
her" awsg ssF -sss 5aes
":Yop certainly exhibit no symptoms
Of doing so,s% be admitted, frankly.
But you might, at least, have washed
your face and liked your hair" .s
She flashed one angry glance at him,
stopping In the middle Of the road, her
head flung back as though ready for
battle. Then, as II by some swift
magic of emotion, Y her expression
changed. "And so you're ashamed Of
me, are you?" she asked, her voice
sharp but unsteady. Ashamed to be
seen walking with me? ! know you
are! But tell you, Mr.. Bob Hamp-
ton you won't be the next time. And
what's more, you Just don't need to
traipse along another step with me
now. l don't want you. l reckon l
amt very much afraid of tackling this
Presbyterian woman all alone"
sheSswung on fiercely, and the man
chuckled softly as he followed, watch.
fully, through the ctrcling, red dust
cloud created by her hasty feet The
truth is, Mr. Hampton possessed trou-
bles and scruples Of his own in con-
nect1on with this contemplated call.
He had. never met the ladySebut he re-
tanned, some memory of the husband
as having been associated with siren
uow poker game at Placer, in which
he also held !! prominent place, and
III would seem scarcely possible that
the wife did not know whose bullet
had turned her for some weeks into, q
sick nurse. A cordial reception could
hardly be- anticipated, > and Hampton
mentally braced himself for the worst
1t was a cheerless looking house,
painted a garish yellow, having star.
ling windows, and devoid Of front
porch, or slightest, attempt at shade
to render its uncomely front less unat.
tractive. Had the matter been left at
that moment to his own decision, this
glimpse Of the house would have
turned them both back but the girl
unhesitatingly pressed forward and
turned defiantly in through the, cato
less opening He followed in silence
along the narrow. toot.path bordered
by weeds, and stood back while she
stepped boldly up on the rude stone
slab. and raped sharply against the
warped and sagging door. A moment
they stood thus waiting with no re.
Spouse from within. Once she glanced
suspiciously around at him, only to
wheel back instantly and once more
apply her knuckles to the wood. Be-
fore he had conjured up. something
worth saying the door was partially
opened, and a rounded dumping Of .
woman, having rosy cheeks, her hair
iron.gray, her blue eyes half smiling
in uncertain welcome, looked out upon
them questionfngiy. L
1--WE come to live here announced
the girl, ssullenly. THAT is, IL. like it"
The woman continued to gaze at her
as II tempted to laugh outright, then
the pleasant, blue eyes hardened as
their vision swept beyond toward
Hampton. | III sft55
ut IS extremely Kind OF YOU, Pm
sure" she said at last. Why is it I
am to be thus ho1ored% i
The girl backed partially OF the
doorstep, her hair tapping in the wind,
her cheeks flushed.
ITO be Continued.) i