The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-02


.,<id. Whit ppss This Msan and
What Are rsu Doing Herr Al'Hss'-
is true about me, why shouldn't she
say III 10 you beiieve that tort Of 2
feiipv would prove q very good Kind
70 iook aiief young lady
y lint . young ladyE
mo; ven yoare Eping icsbe + I
lave ny III. md dont believe TIE
:aoTf Il gent descfibe bed Wonldsb very
nj Is Help you much u here
6a aln.t al thu. ~
wen, perhaps mt I4ikea a anna,
.tsur arti madam may have laid the:
.coiois On i little thick, But an no
winged angel, KID, NOR exactly model
for yousto copy after. I RECKON sou.
better stick to the woman and cut me:
She did not answer. yet he5rend "a an!
unchanged purpose IN her eJes, and
his own decision strengthened Some;
INSTINCT led him TO do the right thing:
he drew Scrfh the iccket fromb beneath
the folds pf her dress, boldlnglt open
to the light He noticed now3a name.
engrayen on the gold case, and bent
lower to decipher the delicate letter
ing,
was her name Nadia r. he ques-
toned, sharply. 1T IS an uncommon.
wordt
@Yes.
Their eyes met, and those Of both
had perceptibly softened.
Nadia his lips dwelt upon the
peculiar name as though he loved the
sound. Il want you to listen to me.
child. 1 sincerely wish 4 might keep.
YOU here with me, but can't. You
are more to me than you dream, but II
wonld not be right for;me thus deEb7
.erately to sacrifice your whole future
to my pleasure, possess nothing to.
offer you,-no home, no friends, no
reputation. Practically ] am an out
law, existing by my wits, dlsreputahle
In the eyes Of those who are worthy to
live in the world. She, who was your
mother, would never wish you to re-
main with me. She would say / did
right in giving you up into the care
Of good woman. Mazda; look on that
face in the locket, your mothers face.
It is sweet, pure, beautiful, the face OF
a good, true woman. Living or dead.
It must be the prayer Of those lips that
you become good woman also. She
should lead you, not !, for / am UNI
worthy. For her sake, and in her
name, ! ask you to go back to Mrs.
Herndon."
He could perceive the gathering tears
in her eyes, and his hand closed tight
~ about her own. 1t was not one soul
alone that struggled.
"you,wlll go?"
20 Bob, / wish you wasn't a gam
bler!"
A moment he remained silent. "But
unfortunately 1 am" he admitted, so
berly, "and 1t is best for you TO go
back Won't your
Her gaze was fastened upon the
open Iocket, the fair face pictured
there smiling up at her as though in
pleading also.
'sYou truly think she would wish it?"
Iknow she would"
The girl gave utterance to a quick;
startled breath, as II the vision fright
ened her. Then l will 60" she said,
her voice mere whisper, q will 60"
He led her down the steps, out into
the jostling crowd below, as ifshe had
been some fairy princess. Her locket
hung dangling, and he slipped 1t back
into its place and drew her slender
form yet closer against his own, as
they stepped forth into the black, de-
serted road. Halfway UP the gloomy
ravlne they met man and woman
coming along the narrow path. Hamp-
ton drew her aside out of their way,
then spoke coiH,ly,
Mrs. Herndon. were you seeking
your lost charge? | have her here"
The two passing figures halted, peer
ing through the darkness.
81 was not seeking her" she re-
turned, icily. 81 have no desire to Gull
tivate the particular friends Of Mr..
Hampton"
so have understood, and conse-
quently relinquish here and now all
claims upon Miss ellis. She has in
formed me of your flattering opinion
regarding me, and | have Endorsed it
as being mainly true to life, Do /
state this fairly, Naida?"
Il have come back" she faltered,
lingering the chain at her throat, Il
have come back"
without Bob Hampton?"
The girl glanced uneasily toward
him, but he stood motionless in the
gloom.
"Yes-I-I suppose l must"
Hampton rested his hand softly upon
her shoulder, his fingers trembling, al
though his voice remained coldly de-
liberate.
II trust this Is entirely satisfactory,
Mrs. Herndon," he said. Il can assure
you know absolutely nothing regard
ing her purpose Of coming to me to-
night. realize quite clearly my own