The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1907-09-26

SHOe6 anu USuIdSSlSu ShlIlS, UeT Sull6u
eyes fastened doggedly on the road,
her hair showing ragged and disrep-
utable in the brilliant sunshine.
Hampton himself could not remain al
together Indifferent to the contrast.
You look little rough, Kid. for a
society CALL" ne said IF there was
any shebang In this mud-hole of a
town that kept any women's things on
sale fit to look at, I'd be tempted to fix
you up a biz"
We'll. I'm glad of it," she respond
ed, grimly. II hope l look so blame
tough that woman won't say a civil
word to US. You can bet | amt going
10 strain myself to please the likes Of
her"
You certainly exhibit no symptoms
OF doing So" he admitted, frankly.
But you might, at least, have washed
your face and fixed your hair"
She flashed one angry glance at him.
stopping in the middle of the road, her
head flung back as though ready for
battle. Then, as If by some swift
magic of emotion. her expression
changed. And so you're ashamed Of
me, are you?" she asked, her voice
sharp but unsteady. Ashamed to be
seen walking with me? | know you
are! But l tell you, Mi Bob Hamp-
ton, you won't be the next time. And
what's more, you just don't need to
traipse along another step with me
now. l don't want you l reckon l
amt very much afraid of tackling this
Presbyterian woman all alone"
She swung off fierceIy, and the man
chuckled softly as he followed. watch
fully, through the circling, red dust
cloud created by her hasty feet. The
truth is, Mr. Hampton possessed trou.
bles and scruples Of his own in con-
nection with this contemplated call.
He had never met the lady, but he re-
tanned some memory Of the husband
as having been associated with siren
uous poker game at Placer, in which
he also held a prominent place. and
1t would seem scarcely possible that
the wife did not know whose bullet
had turned her for some weeks into
sick nurse a cordial reception could
hardly be anticipated. and Hampton
mentally braced himself for the worst
1t was cheerless locking house,
painted garish yellow, having star
ing windows, and devoid of a front
porch. or slightest attempt at shade
to render its uncomely front less unat-
traCtiTe. Had the matter been left at
that moment to his own decision. this
glimpse Of the house would have
turned them both back, but the girl
Unhesitatingly pressed forward and
turned defantly in through the cato
less opening. He followed in silence
along the narrow foOt-path bOrdered
by weeds, and stood back while she
stepped boldly up on the rude stone
slab and raped sharply against the
warped and sagging door A moment
they stood thus waiting with no re-
Spouse from within. once she glanced
suspiciously around at him, only to
wheel back instantly and once more
apply her knuckles to the wood Be
fore he had conjured up something
worth saying the door was partially
opened. and rounded dumping of
woman, having rosy cheeks, her hair
iron-gray. her blue eyes half smiling
in uncertain welcome. looked out upon
them questioningly
I've come to live here" announced
the girl. sullenly. THAT is, if | like it.
The woman continued to gaze at her
IS if tempted to laugh outright, then
the pleasant blue eyes hardened as
their vision swept beyond toward
Hampton.
1T is extremely kind Of you, I'm
sure" she said at last Why is it
am to be thus honored?"
The girl backed partially off the
doorstep, her hair tapping in the wind.
her cheeks flushed
"Oh, you needn't put on so much
style about il" she blurted cut You're
Mrs. Herndon, amt you? Well then,
this is the place where l was sent; but
! reckon you amt no more particular
about ii than l am. There's others"
who sent you to me?" and Mrs
Herndon came forth into the sunshine
THE preacher"
"Oh, Mr.. Wynkoop; then you must
be the homeless girl whom Lieut..
Brant brought in the other day. Why
did you not say so at first? You may
come in, my child"
There was a sympathetic tenderness
apparent now in the tones of her
voice. which the girl was swift to per-
ceive and respond to- yet she held
back, her independence mistaken.
With the quick intuition of woman.
Mrs. Herndon bent down, placing one
hand on the defiant shoulder
Il did not understand, at first, my
dear" she said, soothingly, cor l
should never have spoken as | did.
Some very strange callers come here.
But you are truly welcome had a
daughter once; she must have been
nearly your age when God took her.
Won't you come in?"
While thus speaking she never once
glanced toward the man standing in
silence beyond, yet as the two passed
through the doorway together he fol-
InWad mas lyad Oppa within fba pIaip