The Yale expositor. (Yale, St. Clair County, Mich.) 1894-current, 1907-11-29
CHAPTER vllI. Continued.

anu ItJolllS IloAAii''A
CHAPTER VII. Continued.
He extended his hand, and drew her
ND beside him into the shaded corner.
We'll" he said, tell me the truth
i've quit, that's all, Bob. l just
couldn't stand reform any longer, and
so I've come back here to you"
The man drew deep breath. Didn't
you like Mrs. Herndon?"
"Oh, she's all right enough, so far as !,
that goes. II amt that; only ! just
didn't like some things she said and
did"
Kid" and Hampton Strengthened
up, his voice growing stern. I've got
to know the straight of this. You say
you like Mrs. Herndon well enough,
but not some other things. What were
they?"
The girl hesitated, drawing back
little from him until the light from the
saloon fell directly across her face
We'll" she declared. slowly, you see
it had to be either her or-or you,
Bob, and I'd rather it would be you
You mean she said you would have
TO cut me out entirely if you stayed
there with herr"
She nodded, her eyes filed with en-
treaty. Yes, that was about it. !
wasn't ever to have anything more to
do with you, not even to speak TO you
if we met-and after you'd saved my
life, too"
Never mind about that little affair,
Kid" and Hampton rested his hand
gently on her shoulder. That was all
in the days work, and hardly counts
for much anyhow. Was that all she
said?"
"She called you a low-down gambler,
a gun-fghter, IA miserable barroom
thug, "a murderer. She-she said
that if l ever dared to speak to you
again, Bob Hampton, that could leave
her house. / just couldn't stand for
that, so l came away"
Hampton never stirred, his teeth
set deep into his cigar, his hands
clinched about the railing. THE fool!
he muttered half aloud, then caught
his breath quickly. Now see here,
Kid" and he turned her about so that
he might look down into her eyes,
I'm mighty glad you like me well
enough to put up kick, but l. all this
is true about me- why shouldn't she
say it? Do you believe that sort of a
fellow would prove very good kind
to look after young lady?"
81 amt young LADY,"
mo; well, you're going to be If
have my way, and / don't believe the
sort of a gent described would be very
apt to help you much in getting there. y
You amt all that"
well, perhaps not. Like an anna
teur artist, madam may have laid the
colors on a little thick But | am nc
winged angel Kid, nor exactly a model
for you to copy after. l reckon you
better stick to the woman and cut me.
She did not answer, yet he read an
unchanged purpose in her eyes, and
his own decision strengthened. Some
instinct led him to do the right thing
he drew forth the locket from beneath
the folds of her dress, holding it opeI
to the light He noticed now a name
engraven on the gold case, and ben
lower to decipher the delicate lettering
"Was her name Naida?" he ques
toned, sharply. 1T is an uncommon
word"
Yes"
Their eyes met, and those of boil
had perceptibly softened.
MAZDA" his lips dwelt upon TIL
peculiar name as though he loved tn
sound. 81 want you to listen to me
child. / sincerely wish | might kee
you here with me, but | cant. 70
are more to me than you dream, but
would not be right for me thus dell
erately to sacrifice your whole futur
to my pleasure. / possess nothing
offer you,-no home. no friends, n
reputation. Practically | am an on
law, existing by my wits, disreputabl
in the eyes of those who are worthy
live in the world She. who was you
mother, would never wish you to r
main with me. She would say l d
right in giving you up into the cal
of a good woman. Nadia, look on tn!
face in the locket, your mothers fac
IL is sweet, pure, beautiful, the face
a good. true woman. Living or dea
Il must be the prayer of those lips tn
YOU become a good woman also. 81
should lead you, not J. for | am u
worthy. For her sake. and in h
name. / ask you to go back to Nj
Herndon."
He could perceive the gathering tea
in her eyes, and his hand closed tigl
" about her own. e was not one SC
t,sus mat struggled.