Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-05-10
BOB HAMPTON OF PLACER.
BY RANDALL PARRISH,
AUTHOR WHEN WILDERNESS WAS KING"
Copyright 1907. By A. c. McClug 4 Col

girl continued to haunt his memory, and
| would not down even to the glorious hope
OF coming campaign. The mystery sur
rounding her, her retfcence, the muttered
insinuation dropping from the unguarded
lips Of Murphy. merely served to render her
the more attractive, while her own naive
wftchery of manner, and her seemingly un-
conscious coquetry, had wound about him a
magic spell. the full power OF which as yet
remained but dimly appreciated. His mind
fingered longingly upon the marvel Of the
dark eyes. while the CHEEKY sound of that
| last ripping outburst of laughter re-echoed
| In his ears like music.
His had been lonely life since leaving
West Point and joining his regiment-a life
passed largely among rough men and upon
the desolate plains. For months at time
| he had known nothing Of refinement, nor
enjoyed social intercourse with the opposite
sex; lie had thus grown as barren and
bleak as those desert wastes across which
| he rode at the command of his superiors
For years the routine of his military uu-
| ties had held him prisoner, crushing out the
dreams of youth. Yet, beneath his mask of
tmpassfbility, the heart continued to beat
with fierce desire. biding the time when It
should enjoy its own sweet way. Perhaps
that hour had already dawned; certainly
now come to awaken an interest unfelt be-
fore. and leave him idly dreaming of shad-
owed eyes and flushed, rounded cheeks.
He was In this mood when he overlook
the Rev. Howard Wynkoop and marked the
thoughtful look upon his pale face.
Il called at your camp" explained Wyn-
hoeIp attea .ie irst woras OF ereetlng mao
, neen e ha as soon as learned you
cover your absence. The sergeant however,
was very courteous, and assured me there
would be no difficulty in arranging re-
is,ous service Ior the men, unless suooen
oIuels shouiu arrve. NO oouot may rely
on your cooperation"
Mos' ceItalhly, was tne coralal re-
sEonse, anu shaii aiso perHt shose oe-
s 10 aIteno your reguiar SUNDAY serv-
ices SO iohs as we are scauoneo mere. HOW
Is your Work prosperlngr
| ~ IS nauch to encourage me, put
splrituai progress IS SLOW. and there are
tLlnes wheh my Iaitn Iaiters ana Ieei I'M
WORTHY u tne service IN winch l am en-
ease0- Doup.iess THIS Is true OF an lapor,
yet the minister Is particularly susceptible
70 tnese inhuehces surrounoing MN.
"A INNING camp Is SO intenseiy materiai
seven Gays or the week that 1t must present
olmcuit neid for the awakening OF any
rele1ous sentiment confessed brant SYM
pameticaily' ieeiing not httie interested
IN the clear-cut, lntelectual countenance OF
the other. Il have often wondered how
you consented TO oury your talents In sucn
place.
The other smiled, but with traee Of sad.
ness in his eyes. Il firmly believe that
every minister should devote a portion of
his life to the doing OF such work as this.
1t Is both religious and patr1otic duty,
and there Is rare JOY connected with 1t"
yet 1t was surely not JOY saw pictured
within your face when we met; you were
certainly troubled over some problem.
Wynkoop glanced up quickly, slight
flush rising in his pale cheeks. Perplex-
ing questions which must be decided Off
hand are constantly arising nave no one
near to whom can turn for advice in un-
usual situations, and just now I scarcely
know what action to take regarding certain
applications for church membership"
Brant laughed. II hardly consider my
self a competent adviser In matters OF
church polity." he admitted, yet have
are to be made welcome in religious fellow
ship"
Theoretically yes" And the minister
stopped still in the road. facing his COM
certain peculiarities. The applicants, as
learn from others, are not leading lives
above reproach. So far as | know, they
have never even attended church service
to suspect an Interior motive. am anx-
ious to put nothing In the way or any non
estly seeking soul, vet confess that In
these cases hesitate:
"But your elders? Do not they share the
responsibility Of passing upon such applica-
tions?"
The flush on Mr.. Wynkoop's cheeks deep
ened, and his eyes fell. Ordinarily, yes;
but in this case I fear they may prove un-
duly harsh. II feel-that these applica-
lions came through the special intercession
of a certain young lady, and I am anxious
not to hurt her feelings in any way, or to
discourage her enthusiasm"
"Oh, see! Would you mind telling me
the names Of the two gentlemen?
Mr. John Moffat and Mr.. William Nc
Neil. Unfortunately, know neither per-
sonally"
And the young lady?"
"a Miss Phoebe Spencer; she has but
of our new school-a most interesting and
charming young woman, and she Is proving