Evening star., 1907-05-03
BOB HAMPTON OF PLACER.
BY RANDALL PARRISH,
AUTHOR OF WHEN WILDERNESS WAS KING" !,
Copyright. 1901. by A. c. Mcclurg 1 Coz

for high-strung hlly like you. Ever re-
member your motherT"
Mighty little; reckon she must have died
when l was about five years old. That's
Hampton took in HIS hand the old-fash-
ioned locket she held out toward him. the
long chain still clasped about her throat.
and prted open the stin catch with a1is knife
ened shoe, and when her eyes were uplifted
again his gaze was riveted upon the face in
the picture.
Mighty pretty. wasn't she?" she asked
with a sudden girlish interest bending for
ward to look. regardless Of his strained at
titude. And she was prettier than that
even. the way remember her best. with
her hair all hanging down. coming to tuck
always seem to see her"
The man drew deep breath and snap
ped shut the locket, yet stih retained 1t in
his hand. isis she dead?" he questioned
nerves.
"Yes. in st. Louis; dad took me there with
him two years ago, and l saw her grave"
Dad? Do you mean old Gillis?"
She nodded, beginning dimly to wonder
why he should speak 30 fiercely and stare at
her In that odd way He seemed to choke
twice before he could ask the next question.
did he-old Gillis, I mean-claim to be
your father or her husband?"
mo, I don't reckon he ever did, but he
gave me that picture, and told me she was
my mother. I always lived with him. and
called him dad. I reckon he liked it. and he
was mighty good to me. We were at Ran
dolph a long tme and since then he's been
post-trader at Bethune. That's all know
about 1t, for dad never talked very much.
and he used to get mad when 1 asked him
questions"
Hampton dropped the locket from his
grasp and arose to his feet. For several
minutes he stood with mis- back turned +e<>
ward her. apparently gazing down the val
ley. his jaw set, his dimmed eyes seeing
nothing. Slowly the color came creeping
back into his face, and his hands
ed down upon her, completely restored to
his old nature.
Then it seems that it is just you and T.
Kid. who have got to settle this little af
fair" he announced, firmly. ''I'll have my
say about 1t, and then you can uncork your
feelings. rather imagine haven't very
much legal right in the premises, but I've
got a sort Of moral grip on you by reason Of
yon yonder, and propose to play this game
to the limit. You say your mother is dead,
and the man who raised you is dead. and, SO
far as either Of us know. there isn't soul
anywhere on earth who pc ssesses any claim
over you. or any desire to ave. Then, nat
urally, the whole Jackpot is up to me, pro-
vided I've got the cards. Now, Kid, waving
your prejudice aside, I amt just exactly
the best man in this world to bring up a
girl like you and make lady out Of her. I
thought yesterday that maybe we might
manage to hitch along together for a while,
but I've got different think coming today.
There's no use disiguring the truth. I'm
gambler, something of fighter on the side.
and folks don't say anything too pleasant
about my peaceful disposition around these
settlements; I haven't any home, and
mighty few friends, and the few I have
got are nothing to boast about. I reckon
there's a cause for it all. So, considering
everything I'm about the poorest proposi-
ton ever was heard of to start young la
iror Tho I I'd hYoax1 oil 1fc
was bad enough, but I'm sight
worse. Now some woman has got to take
you in hand, and reckon I've. found the
right one."
"Goin' to get married, Bob?'
mot this year; it's hardly become SO
serious that. but I'm going to find you a
good home here, and I'm going to put up
plenty Of stuff, so that they'll take care of
you all right and proper"
The dark eyes never wavered as they
looked steadily into the gray ones, but the
chin quivered slightly
Il reckon I'd rather try 1T alone" she
announced stubbornly. Maybe I, might
have stood it with you. Bob Hampton but
a woman is the limit
Hampton in other and happier days had
made something of study Of the feminine
nature. and he realized now the utter i'm
practicability of any attempt at driving.
Il expect it will go rather hard at first,
Kid" he admitted craftly. but think you
might try it a while just to sort of please
me-"
"who-who is she?" doubtfully
Mrs Herndon, wife of the superin tendent
Of the Golden Rule mine;" and he waved
his hand toward the distant houses. "They
tell me she's mighty fine woman"
"Oh, they do? Then somebody's been
stirring you up about me, have they? I
thought that was about the way of 1t.
Somebody wants to reform me, I reckon.
Well. maybe I won't be reformed. Who
was 1t. Bob?''
1.-THE Presbyterian missionary" he con-
fessed reluctantly, "a nervy little chap
named Wynkoop; he came in to see me last
night while you were asleep" He faced
her open scorn unshrinkingly. his mind
fully decided. and cinging to one thought
with all the tenacity of his nature.
"a preacher" her voice vibrant with de-
rision. "a preacher! Well, of all things,
Bob Hampton! You led around by the nose
in that way! Did he want you to bring me
to Sunday school? A preacher! And I
to tome one of his flock for religious instruction.
He'll have you studying theology inside of
year. A preacher! Oh, Lord. and you
agreed! Well. won't go; SO therer'
''As I understand the affair."" Hampton
Lieut.. Brant who suggested the idea
Of his coming to me. Brant knew Gillis.
and remembered you, and realizing your
unpleasant situation thought such an ar
rangement would be for your benefit"
"Brant" she burst forth in renewed an
ger: "he did, did he! The pu:ty-faced
dandy! I used to see him at Bethune, and
you can bet he never bothered his head
know me out yonder until after the
geant spoke up. What business has that
fellow got planning what shall dor
Hampton made no attempt to answer. 1t
naturally. and SO he asked a question.
.What is this Brant doing at Bethune?
There is no cavalry stationed there"
She glanced up quickly, interested by the