The Yale expositor., 1907-11-15

/
Hampton, you're a fraud. and you
know it! Didn't l understand exact
ly who you was, and what was your
business? Didn't ! know you was a
| gambler, and bad man? Didn't /
| tell you plain enough out yonder"-
and her voice faltered slightly-"just
what thought about you? Good Lord
| | haven't been begging to stick with
| you, have 1? l just didn't know
which way to turn to, after dad was
killed, and you sorter hung on to me,
and let it go the way / supposed you
wanted ii. But I'm not particularly
stuck on your style, let me tell you,
and | reckon there's plenty of ways
for me to get along. Only first, l pro-
| pose to understand what your little
game is. You don't throw down your
hand like that without some reason"
Hampton sat up. spurred into in
slant admiration by such independ-
ence of spirit. You grow rather good
looking, Kid, when you get hot, but
you go at things haf-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
n trainer for 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
remember her best, with her hair all
hanging down, coming to tuck me into
bed at night. Someway that's how
always seem to see her"
The man drew a deep breath, and
snapped shut the locket, yet still re-
tanned it in his hand Isis 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 l
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 ellis, mean-claim
to be your father, or her husband?"
mo, l don't reckon he ever did. but
he gave me that picture, and told me
she was my mother. | 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 it seems that il Is Just you
ana i, Kid, who have got to settle this
little affair" he announced, firmly.
III have my say about it, and then
you can uncork your feelings. l 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 l propose to play
this game to the limit. You say your
mother is dead, and the man who
raised you is dead, and, so far as eth
er of us know, there isn't a 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. thought
yesterday that maybe we might man.
age to hitch along together for
awhile, but I've got a different think
coming to-day. There's no use dis
figuring the truth. I'm a 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.
l reckon there's a cause for Il all.
So, considering everything, I'm about
the poorest proposition ever was heard
OF 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 I rackon I've fo,oa A.