Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-21

as I know there is not single soul
for her to turn TO for help in all this
wide world. Aud you. you miserable.
sliyelling hypocrite. you little creep
ing Presbyterian parson. you want me
to shake herl What sort of q Wild
beast do you suppose ann"
Wynkoop had taken one hasty step
backward. impelled 20 II 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
cicty inadequate TO express his needs.
Il think.' he SAID. scarcely realizing
his own words. "you are a 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 instlnctively
backward, closing upon the butt of a
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 orened
hand upon the minister's shrinking
shoulder.
"Sit down" he said. his voice un-
steady from SO sudden a reaction.
"Perhaps-perhaps 1 don't exactly I'M
derstand"
For full minute they sat thus look
Ing at each other through the fast
dimming light. like two prize-Rghters
meeting for the first time within the
ring. and taking mental stock before
beginning their physical argument.
Hampton. with a touch Of his old au-
dacity of manner. was first TO break
the silence.
so you think I am a damned fool.
Well. we are in pretty fair accord as
TO that fact. although no one before
has ever ventured 20 state il quite so
clearly in my presence. Perhaps YOU
will kindly explain?"
The preacher wet his dry Inns with
his tongue, forgetting himself when
his thoughts began TO crystalline into
expression.
Il regret having spoken as I did
he began. such language is not my
custom. I was irritated because OF
your haste I'm rejecting my advances
before hearing the proposition 1 came
60 submit I certainly respect your
evident desire 90 DE OF assistance 10
this young woman. nor have I the
slightest intention OF interfering be-
tween YOU Your act in preserving
her life was truly a noble one. and
your loyalty 20 her interests since is
worthy Of an Christian praise But
/ believe I have right to ask. what
do YOU intend for the future? Keep
her with YOU? Drag her about from
camp 20 camp? Educate her among
tho COMMUNICATING poison OF gambling
holes and dance-halls? Is her home
hereafter 90 be the saloon and the
rough frontier hotel2 Her ideal of
manhood the quarrclsome gambler
and OF womanhood a painted harlotP
Mr. Hampton. you are evidently a man
OF education. of early refinement. Won
have known better things: and have
come 20 you seeking merely to aid YOU
ia deciding this helpless young wom-
ans destiny. l thought, prayed. You
would be at once interested la that
purpose. and would comprehend the
Resemblance 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 a consid-
cradle time he made 40 move. and the
other Strengthened back in his chair
watching him.
"Well," he ventured az last. what
is your proposition" The question
was quietly asked. but a slight tremor
in the low voice told OF repressed feel
ing.
That, for the present at least, you
contde this girl into the care Of some
worthy woman"
Have you any such in mind?"
Il 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
60 assume such a charge in this camp
Hampton flung his sodden cigar butt
out OF the window. I'll talk il over
tomorrow with-with Miss ellis" he
said, somewhat grufny. 1T may be
this means a good deal more 10 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 II over with the
girl"
WynkoOp held out his hand cordial
ly and the Arm grasp of the othar
closed over his fingers.
Il don't exactly know why I didn't
kick you downstairs" the latter com
mented, as though still in wonder at
himself Never remember being quite
so eonsiderate before. but I reckon
you must have come at me in about
the right way"
II Wynkoop answered, his words
were indistinguishable, but Hampton
remained standing in the open door
watching the missionary go down the
narrow stairs.
Merry little devil" he acNnowl-
edged slowly to himself And maybe,