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

and upturned face Then wynkoop
drew silently back. and Hampton
closed the door noiselessly.
Well" he said iuQuiringly. what
does all this mean2"
Let US sit down again." said the
minister. and I will try to make my
purpose sufficiently clear. I am not
here 20 mince words. nor do believe
you to be the kind Of man who would
respect me if ! did. may say some
thing that will not sound pleasant. but
ia the cause Of my Master I cannot
hesitate. You are an older man than
]. Mr.. Hampton; your experience in
life has doubtless been much broader
than mine. and &c may even be that in
point OF education you are likewise
my superior Nevertheless. as the
only minister OF the gospel residing in
this community it IS beyond question
my plain duty 20 speak a few words 20
you in behalf of this young lady. and
her probable future. I trust not 60 be
offensive. yet cannot shirk the require
ments OF my sacred Office"
The speaker paused. somewhat dis
tho lines In Hampton's face
GO on. commanded Hampton.
tersely. only let the preacher part
slide. and say Just what you have 10
say as man 90 man"
IL prefer 90 do So" he continued.
1T viii render my unpleasant task
much easier. and yield us both q more
direct road 20 travel. have been
laboring on this field for nearly three
years. When I first came here YOU
were pointed out co me as a most dan
gerous man. and ever since then
have constantly been RECALLED by the
stories of your exploits. have known
you merely through such unfriendlv
reports. and came here strongly preju-
diced against you as n representative
Of every evil I war against. We have
never met before. because there
seemed 20 be nothing In common be-
tween us; because / had been led 20
suppose you 90 be an entirely different
man from what ] now believe you
are"
Hampton stirred unoasiIy In his
chair
shall ] paint in exceedingly plain
words the picture given me OF you?"
There was no response. but the
speaker moistened his lips and pro-
ceeded firmly. 1t was that OF a pro-
fessional gambler. utterly devoid or
mercy toward his victims: a reckless
fighter. who shot 20 kiln upon the least
provocauon; n man without moral
character. and from whom any good
action was impossible That was what
was said about you. Is the tale true?'
Hampton laughed unpleasantly. hts
eyes grown hard and ugly
Il presume IL must be-" he admitted
with a quick side glance toward the
closed door. for the girl out yonder
thought about the same. A most ex-
oellent reputation to establish with
only ten years OF strict attendance to
business"
Wynkoop's grave face expressed his
disapproval
Well, in my present judgment that
report was not altogether true" he
went on clearly and with greater con
hdence. Il did suppose you exactly
that sort OF a man when I first css-ne
into this room. have not believed
So however. for a single moment
since. Nevertheless, the naked truth
is certainly bad enough, without any
necessity for our resorting to romance.
You may deceive others by an assump-
ton OF recklessness, but I feel con-
WINGED your true nature is not evil. II
has been warped through some cause
which is none OF my business. Let US
deal alone with facts. You are a gam
bier, a professional gambler with all
that that implies; your life is, Of neces-
sity. passed among the most vicious
and degrading elements OF mining
camps, and you DO not hesitate even
TO take human life when in your iudg-
pent IL seems necessary to preserve
your own. Under this veneer of law
lessness you may. indeed, possess a
warm heart. Mr.. Hampton; you NAV
be good fellow. but you are certain
ly not a model character, even accord
ing to the liberal code OF the border"
Extremely kind OF you TO enter my
rooms unlimited. and furnish me with
this list OF moral deficiencies" &C.
knowledged the other with affected
carelessness. but thus far you have
failed to tell me anything strikingIy
new Am j 20 understand you have
some particular object In this ex-
change OF amenities?"
Most assuredly. II is TO ask II such
person as you practically confess
yourself to be-homeless, associating
only with the most despicable and
vicious characters, and leading SO I'M
certain and disreputable life-can be
Mt TO assume charge OF a girl. almost
woman. and mould her future?"
For a long, breathless moment
Hampton stared increduIously at his
quesuoner. crushing his cigar between
MS teeth. Twice he started to speak.
out literally choked back the bitter
words burning his lips, while an I'M
comfortable admiration for the others
holiness began to overcome his first
fierce anger.
BY God" he exclaimed at last. ris-
ing TO his feet and pointing toward the
door. IT have shot v,ar g. -. ~