The Irish standard., 1907-08-03
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hand like that without some reason"
Hampton sat up, spurred into in
stant admiration by such independ-
ence of spirit. "You grow rather good.
looking, Kid, when you get hot. but
you go at things half-cocked, and
you've got to get over it. That's the
whole trouble-you've never been
trained, and wouldn't make much of
q trainer for a high-strung filly like
you. Ever remember your mother?"
Mighty little; reckon she must
have died when was about five years
old. That's her picture
Hampton took in his hand the old.
fashioned locket she held out toward
him, the long chain still clasped about
her throat, and pried open the stiff
catch with his knife blade She bent
down to fasten her loosened shoe.
and when her eyes were uplifted his
gaze was riveted upon the face in the
picture.
Mighty pretty, wasn't she?" she
asked, with sudden girlish interest,
bending forward to look, regardless of
his strained attitude. And she was
prettier than that, even, the way I
remember her best, with her hair all
hanging down, coming to tuck me into
bed at night. Someway that's how 1
always seem to see her.
The man drew deep breath, and
snapped shut the locket, yet still re-
tained it in his hand. t'Is-is she
dead?" he questioned, and his voice
trembled in spite of his steel nerves.
eyes, in st. Louis; dad took me
there with him two years ago, and 1
saw her grave'
Dad? Do you mean old Gillis?"
She nodded, beginning dimly to won
der why he should speak so 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, l mean-claim
to be your father, or her husband?"
NO, don't reckon he ever did, but
he gave me that picture. and told me
she was my mother. l always lived
with him, and called him dad. reck-
on he liked it, and he was mighty
good to me. We were at Randolph
long time, and since then he's been
post-trader at Bethune. That's all
know about it, for dad never talked
very much, and he used to get mad
when / asked him questions"
Hampton dropped the locket from
his grasp and arose to his feet. For
several minutes he stood with his
back toward her, apparently gazing
down the valley, his jaw set, his dim
med eyes seeing nothing. Slowly the
color came creeping into his face, and
his hands unclinched. Then he wheel.
ed about, and looked down upon her,
completely restored to his old ma.
ture.
Then 1t seems that it is just you
and l, Kid, who have got to settle this
little affair." he announced, firmly.
I'll have my say about-it, and then
you can uncork your feelings. rath.
er imagine l haven't very much legal
right in the premises, but I've got
sort OF moral grip on you by reason of
having pulled you out alive from that
canyon 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, 80 far as eth
er OF us know, there isn't soul any
where on earth who possesses any
claim over you, or any desire to have.
Then. naturally, the whole Jackpot is
up to ME, provided I've got the cards
Now, Kid, waving your prejudice aside,
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 man
age to hitch along together for
awhile, but I've got different think
coming to-day. There's no use dis.
figuring the truth. I'm q gambler.
something of fighter on the side, and
folks don't say anything too pleasing
about my peaceful disposition around
these settlements; haven't any home.
and mighty few friends, and the few
have got are nothing to boast about,
! reckon there's cause for it all.
SO, considering everything, I'm about
the poorest proposition ever was heard
or to start young ladies' seminary
The Lord knows, old ellis was bad
enough, but I'm damned sight worse
NOW, some woman has got to take YOU
In hand, and reckon I've found the
right one"
Coin to get married, Bob?"
"Not this year; it's hardly become
80 serious as that; but I'm going tn
find you 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" F"
she announced stubbornly Maybe l
might have stood it with you, Bob
Hampton, but woman is the limit"
Il expect it will go rather hard at
lirst. Kid" he admitted craftily, "but
think you might try it while iu.+ -
sort OF please me-"
l.