The Irish standard., 1907-07-27

for her to turn to for help In ali this
wide world. And you, you miserable,
snivelling hypocrite, you little creep
ing Presbyterian parsor, you want me
to shake her! What sort of wild
beast do you suppose am?"
Wynkoop had taken one hasty step
backward, impelled to it by the fierce
anger blazing from those stern, gray
eyes, But now he paused, and, for
the only time on record, discovered
the conventional language of polite So
ciety inadequate to express his needs.
Il think" he said, scarcely realizing
his own words, you are damned
fool"
Into Hampton's eyes there leaped a
light upon which other men had looked
before they died.-the strange mad
CLEAN one sometimes sees in fighting
animals, or amid the fierce charges of
war. His hand swept lnstinctively
/, backward, closing upon the butt of
i revolver beneath his coat, and for one
second he who had dared. such utter
ance looked on death. Then the hard
| lines about the mans mouth softened,
the fingers clutching the weapon re-
/ Taxed, and Hampton laid one opened
! hand upon the minister's shrinking
shoulder.
"Sit down." he said, his voice I'm.
steady from so sudden reaction.
"Perhaps-perhaps don't exactly un.
derstand"
For full minute they sat thus look
ing at each. other through the fast
dimming light, like two prize-ighters
meeting for the first time within the
ring, and taking mental stock before
beginning their physical argument.
Hampton, with touch Of his old au.
dacity of manner, was first to break
the silence.
80 you think am damned fool
Well, we are in. pretty fair accord as
to that fact, although no one before
has ever ventured to state it quite so
clearly in my presence. Perhaps you
will kindly explain?"
The preacher. wet his dry lips with
his tongue, forgetting himself when
his thoughts began to crystalline into
expression.
Il regret having spoken as l did,"
he began. "Such language is not my
custom. was irritated because of
your haste in rejecting my advances
before hearing the proposition came
to submit. l certainly respect your
evident desire to be of assistance to
this young woman, nor have the
slightest intention Of interfering be-
tween you. Your act in preserving
her life was truly a noble one, and
your loyalty to her interests since Is
worthy of all Christian praise. But
I believe. have right to ask, what
do you intend for the future? Keep
her with you? Drag her about from
camp to camp? Educate her among
the communicating poison of gambling
holes and dance.halls? Is her home
hereafter to be the saloon and the
rough frontier hotel? Her ideal OF
manhood the quarrelsome gambler
and of womanhood q painted harlot!
of education, of early refinement; you
have known better things; and have
come to you seeking merely to aid you
in deciding this helpless young WON.
ans destiny. I thought, prayed, you
would be at once interested in that
purpose, and would comprehend the
reasonableness of my position"
Hampton sat silent, gazing out OF
the window, his eyes apparently on
the lights now becoming dimly visible
in the saloon opposite. For consid
cradle time he made no move, and the
other Strengthened back In his chair
watching him.
WELL" he ventured at last, what
is your propositions" The question
was quietly asked, but slight tremo,
in the low voice told Of repressed feel
ing.
THAT, for the present at least, you
confide this girl into the care of some
worthy woman"
Have you any such in mind?"
II have already discussed the mat
ter briefly with Mrs. Herndon, wife Of
the superintendent of the Golden Rule
mines. She Is refined Christian lady
beyond doubt the most proper person
to assume such charge in this camp
Hampton flung his sodden cigar but
out of the window. "I'll talk it ovel
tomorrow with-with Miss Gillis," he
said, somewhat gruf1y. 1T may be
this means good deal more to me
than you suppose, parson, but I'm
bound to acknowledge there is consid
cradle hard sense in what you have
just said, and I'll talk 1t over with the
girl :
Wynkoop held out his hand cordial
ly and the firm grasp Of the othe,
closed over his fingers.
Il don't exactly know why I didn,
kick you downstairs the latter com
mented, as though still in wonder al
himself Never remember being quite
40 constdo>c.a hex:-a. hut I reckon
you must have come at me in abou1
the right way"
II Wynkoop answered, his wordl
were indistinguishable, but Hampton
remained afandine in tho onen doo,