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


fciently unpleasant one. for Mr Hamp-
ton. For nuWbor OF years he had
been diligently draining himself in the
school oft cynicism. cudcavoring 90 per-
suade himself that DE did not in the
least care what others thought nor
how his own career ended. impelliug
himself to constant rccklessncss ia life
and Thought. He had thus successfully
built mp wall between the present
and that past which long haunted his
lonely moments. and had finally de-
cided that 40 was Theoretically scaled.
Yet now. this odd chit of a girl. this
waif whom he had pluck2d from the
Jaws OF death. had overturned this
carefully constructed barrier as II it
had been originally built OF mere card
board. and Dee was compelled again 90
see himself, loatho himself. just as he
had in those past years.
One thing he graspcd clearly.-the
girl should De given her chance moth
ing in his life must over again soil her
or lower her ideals Mrs. Herndon
was rieht, and he realized &c: neither
HIS presence nor his money were DC to
influence her future He sw0re be
tween his clinchod teeth. his face
grown hageard. The suns rays bridgod
the slowly darkoning valley with cords
Of red gold and Che man pulled him
self 90 his feet by gripping the root
Of tree. He realized chat he had
been sitting there for hours. and that
he was hungry.
Down beneath. amid the fast awak-
eniug noise and hustle Of early even
FMS the long discipline of the gambler
reassorted itsolf-he got back his
nerve. It was Bob Hampton. cool. re-
sourccful, sarcastic of speech. quick OF
temper. who greeted the loungers
about the hotel. and who sat. with his
back 20 the wall. In the little dining
room. watchful of all others present
And IL was Bob Hampton who strolled
carelessly out upon the darkened porch
an hour later, leaving roar Of laugh
ter behind him. and an enemy as well.
Little he cared for that. however. in
his present mood and he stood there.
amid the black shadows. looking con
temptuously down upon the stream OF
coauess humanity trooping past on
pleasure bent. the blue smoke circling
his head, his gray eyes glowing half
angrily. suddenly he leaned forward.
clutching the rail in quick surprise.
Kid he exclaimed. harshly, what
does this mean? What are you doing
alone here?"
She stopped instantly and glanced
up, her face flushing in the light
streaming forth from the open door
OF the Occidental.
Il reckon I'm alone here because I
want 10 be-" she returned. dehantly.
I amt no slave How do you get up
there?"
He extended his hand. and drew her
up beside him into the shaded corner.
Well" ne 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 a 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 a
little from him until the light from the
saloon fen directly across her face.
Well she declared, slowly, you see
1t 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 Qua entirely IL you stayed
there with herr"
She nodded. her eyes filled with en-
treaty. Yes, that was about it. I
wasn't ever to have anything more to
DO with you. not even to speak to you
II 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 ali she
said?"
she called you low-down gambler.