Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-28

magic Of emotion. her expression
changed. and SO you're ashamed OF
me. are you?" she ASKED. her voice
sharp but unsteady Ashamed To De
seen walking with me? / know Won
arei But I 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 stem with me
now. ] don't want You. I reckon ]
amt very much afraid of tackling this
Presbyterian woman al alone"
She swung OF dorcely. and the man
chuckled softly as ne followed. watch
fully. through The cIrclng. red dust
cloud created Day her hasty feet. The
truth is. Mr Hampton possessed trou-
Dles and scrurles of his own in con-
necuon With THIS contemplated call.
He had never met the lady. but ne re-
tanned some memory of the husband
as having been associated with q siren
uous poker game at Placer. in which
ne also held prominent place. aud
IL would seem scarcely possible that
the wife did not know whose bullet
had turned her for some weeks into a
sick nurse. A cordial reception could
hardly De- anticipated. ri HAMPTON
mentally braccd himself for the worst
It was n cherries looking house
painted .ar.sh yellow. having star.
ms windows. and devoid of a front
porch. COR slightest attempt az shade
10 render its unComely front less unat.
tracuve. Had the matter been LEFT at
that monet to his own decision. this
glimpse az the house would have
turned thrm both back. but the girl
unnesitaun IS pressed forward aud
t turned delanrv lu through the cate
/ less opeuin-. lie followed in silence
along the narrow foot-patb bordered
Dy weeds. and. stood back while she
stepped boldly u0 Cn the rude stone
slab and raped sharply AGAINST the
warped and saerio- 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 kngckles to tho wood. Be
fore he had cociured up something
worth saying the door was partially
opened and rounded dumping OF a
woman having rosy cheeks. her hair
irongray. her blue eyes half smiling
I'm uncertain welcome. looked out upon
them quost.or.1ely.
I've come o. live here" announced
the girl. s1lcrly "That is. ~ / Ike t."
The woman continued 90 gaze an her
as ~ tempted to laugh outright. then
the pleasant blue eyes hardened as
their vision swept beyond toward
Hampton
IL SIS extremely kind OF you. I'm
sure she said 40 last why is it
am 20 Do thus honored2"
The Gin backed partially on the
doorstep. Lcr hair Tapping Ia the wind.
her cheeks 8u he'd
"Oh. sou needn't put on so much
style about &c." she burted out. You're
Nrs. HornEoi< aint you2 Wen. then.
Z this is The place whore 7 was sent: but
/ reckon you amt no more particular
about Go than ann. There's others"
"Who sent YOU Co meg" and Mrs.
Hcrnion came forth into the sunshine.
"Ile preacher"
ooh. Mr. Wynk0op. then YOU must
De the homeless Girl whom Lieut.
Braut brought in the other day. Why
did you not say SO at 0rst2 You may
come Fra. my child"
There was sympathetic tenderness
apparent now In the tones OF her
voice which the girl was swift TO per
ceive a1d respond 90. yet she held
back her independence mistaken.
With thc quick intuition OF woman.
Mrs Herndon bent down. placing one
hand on the defiant shoulder
II did not understand. az FIRST. my
dear She said. soothlngly. "or
should never have spoken as 1 did.
Some very strange callers come here. +
But YOU are truly welcome. had a
daughter once; she must have been
nearly YOUR age when God took her.
Won't you come i'm"
While thus speaking she never once
glanced toward the man standing in
silence beyond. yet as the two passed
through the doorway together he fol-
lowed, masked. Once within the plain
" furnished room. and with her arm
about the girls waist, the lines about
her mouth hardened. Il do not recall
extending my Invitation to YOU" she
said. coldly.
He remained standing, hat In hand.
his face Swallowed, his eyes picturing
deep perplexity.
For the intrusion l offer my apol-
ogy," he replied. humbly; but you
see II feel responsible for this young
woman She-sort of fell to my care
when none OF her own people were
left 70 look after her. only came to
show her the way. and to say that
stand ready to pay you well to see TO
her bit, and show her how to get
hold OF the right things"
Indeed" and Mrs. Herndon's voice
was not altogether pleasant Il under
stood she was entirely alone and
friendless. Are you that man who
brought her out of the canyon? ?"
Hampton bowed as though half
ashamed OF acknowledging the act
"Ohl then I know who you are" she
continued unhesitatingly. You are a
gambler and a bar-room rough. !
won't touch a penny OF your money. 1 |
told Mr.. Wynkoop that shouldn't. but |
that l would endeavor to do my Chris |