The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-11-28
CHARTER vIlI. CONTINUED.

ana ttsotuH hahihtoA
CHAPTER wa. Continued.
He extended his hand. and drew her
UP beside him into the shaded corner
"Wel, he said. tell me the truth
i've quit. that's all, Bob. / just
couldn't stand reform any longer. and
30 I've come back here to YOU
The man drew a deep breath. Didn't
you like Mrs Herndon?"
"Oh, she's all right enough. SO far as
that goes. T Amt that; only ! Just
didn't Ike some things she said and
did"
Kid" and Hampton Strengthened
up. his voice growing stern. I've got
70 know the straight Of this. You say
you like Mrs. Herndon wen enough.
but not some other things. What were
they?'
The girl hesitated, drawing back a
little from him until the light from the
saloon fell directly across her face.
Well" she declared, slowly, "you see
it had to be either her or-or you,
Bob, and I'd rather It would be YOU
You mean she said you would have
to cut me out entirely II you stayed
there with herr
She nodded. her eyes filed with en-.
treaty. Yes, that was about it. ]
wasn't eve to have anything more to
do With you. not even TO speak to you
II we met-and after you'd saved my
life. too"
Never mind about that little AFFAIR.
KID and Hampton rested his hand
gently on her shoulder. That was an
in the days work. and hardly counts
for much anyhow. Was that all she
said?"
she called you a lOw-dewn gambler.
q %gun-dgbter IA miserable barroom
thug. IA murderer. She-she said
that If I ever dared to speak to you
again. Bob Hampton. that / could leave
her house. I just couldn't stand for
that, so I came away"
Hampton never stirred, his teeth
set deep into his cigar. his hands
clinched about the railing. The fool!r'
he muttered half aloud, then caught
his breath quickly. Now see here.
KID" ana he turned her about 30 that
he might look down into her eyes.
Tin mighty glad you like me well
enough 70 put up a kick. but /. all this
is true about me, why shouldn't she
say itg Do you believe that sort Of a
fellow would prove a very good kind
10 look after a young lady2'
4 Amt q young ladyi"
NO; well. you're going 10 be n
have my way. and / don't believe the
SORT Of a gent described would be very
apt 10 help you much IN getting there.
You Amt an that
well, perhaps not. Like an anna.
tesir artist. madam may have laid the
c0lors on a little thick. But / am no
winged angel, Kid, nor exactly a model
for you 10 copy after. I reckon you
better stick 10 The woman and cut me.
She did not answer yet he read an
unchanged purpose In her eyes. and
his own decision strengthened Some
instinct led him 10 DO the right thing:
be drew forth the locket from beneath
the folds OF her dress, holding il open
10 The light He noticed now a name
engraven on the gold case, and bent
lower to decipher the delicate lettering.
Was her name Naidag" he cues.
toned. sharply, IT Is an uncommon
Word."
YES"
Their eyes met. and those OF both
had %perceptlbly softened.
Nadia" his lips dwelt upon the
peculiar name as though he loved the
sound. Il want you to listen 10 me.
child. / sincerely wish I might keen
you here with me. but / can't You
are more TO me than you dream, but Il
would not be right for me thus delib,
erately 10 sacrifice your whole future
3 my pleasure. I possess nothing 10
Offer you,-no home, no friends. no
reputation. Practically am an out.
law, existing by my wits. disreputabls
IN the eyes Of those who are worthy 10
live in the world She, who was your
mother would never wish you 70 re.
main with me She would say 1 ala
right IN giving you up iato the care
of a good woman. Naida. look on that
face ia the locket, your mothers face.
II a sweet pure. beau IA. the face OF
a good true woman. living or dead.
6 must Be the prayer 81 those lips that
9on become 3 good Woman also. She
should lead you, not l. FOR I am IN.
worthy For her sake. and in her
larie ask you 20 SO back 70 Mrs
ifrndca
iff could perceive the gathering tears
ser eycs aud ais hand closed tieht.
abcaI htf own nuns nef one eoul