The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-08-02

Mn Herndon; amt yolg Wen; then,
silis is AZ place where j was sent; but
reckon goa amt no more particular
about ittkaR 4 IN. There others.
Who sent you to me- and Mrs.
E4erndcti came forth into the sunshine.
preacher
Oh Nh ynkoopi then you must
be NE homeless girl whom Lieut..
n brought IN the other day. Why
didyo1not say so at firstg You may
come IN my child"
There was "a pathetic tenderness
apparent now IN the tones Of her
voice which the glriswas swift to per.
ciye and respond to, yet she held
lack her Independence unshaken.
With the quick intuition Of a woman,
mrs Herndon bent down, placing one
hand on the defiant shoulder.
Il did.n0t understand, at first, my
daaI She said, soothtngly, "or q
should never have spoken as 4 did.
Some very strange callers come here.
But you are truly welcome. ! had a
daughter once; she must have been
neaffy your age when God took her.
Wont youAcome ing"
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-
lowed, nnasked, Once within the plain.
~ furnished room, and with her arm
about the girls waist, the lines about
her mouth hardened. NJ do not recall
xtending my Invitation 10 you" she
said. eoldly.
he remained standing, hat in hand,
his face shadowed, his eyes picturing
deep perplextty.
eFor the intrusion offer my apol
ogy he replied, humbly; but you
seesT responsible for this young
woman. She sort OF fen to my care
when none Of her own people were
left ID look after her. 4 only came to
snow her the way, and to say that 4
stand ready to pay you well to see to
her d BIT ana show her how to get
hold d tie right things"
Indeedls and Mrs Herndon's voice
Z was not ialtoge her pleasant. Il under
stood she was entirely alone and
sfriendlesss Are you that man who
Drought her out of the canyon"
Hampton bowed as though half
ASHAMED Of acknowledging the act.
oh! then ] know who you are" she
continued, unhesitatingly. "You are a
gambler and a har-room rough. I
WON'T touch a penny of your. money. I
+ told MI. Wynkoop that / shouldn't, bat
lsthat I;Woald endeavor to do my Chris
tian duty by this poor girl. He was to
bring herlhere himself, and keep you
away
The man smiled slightly, not In the
least disconnected by her plain speech.
Probably we departed from the hotel
somewhat earlier than the minister
anticipated" he explained, quietly, his
old ease Of manner returning in face
ot such open opposition, II greatly re-
greet your evident prejudice, madam,
4 and can only say that have more con-
Z hdence In you than you appear to nave
i II me. tshall certainly discover some
means by8whlch may do my part in
shaping this girls future, but in the
meanwhile will relieve you Of my un-
desired presence
He stepped without into the glare
sof the sunlight, feeling utterly care
less as to the woman who had afront'
ed him, yet somewhat hurt on seeing
that the girl had not once lifted her
ydowncast eyes to his face. Yet he had
scarcely taken three steps toward the
road before she was beside him, her
si!band upon his sleeve.
.ISwon't stay!" she exclaimed, fierce
j won't, Bob Hampton. I'd rather
70 with YOU than be good"
His sensitive face flushed with de-
light buth looked gravely down into
her Indignant eyes. "oh, yes, you will,
Kid. and his hand touched her rough
{ :ened haircaressingly. She's a good.
kind woman, all right and ] don't
blame her for not liking my style"
,.Do-do you really want me to stick
dt out here, Bob?s
l8S It was no small struggle for him to
y say SO, for he was beginning to COM
prehend lust what this separation
meant She was more to him than he
had ever supposed, more to him than
she had even been M honr before, and
nov he understood clearly that from
this moment they must ever run far
n ther apart-her life tending upward,
his down. Yet there was but one de-
cision possible. Then he answered.
This IS your best chance, little girl,
ana I want You to stay and fight It
ont.''
Their eyes met, each dimly realiz-
ing although in totally different way.
that here was a moment Of important
decision. Mrs Herndon darkened the
doorway and stood looking out.
Well, Mr.. Bob Hampton" she ques,
TONED; plainly what is this going to
sbe2
He glanced toward her, slightly lift.
ing his hat; and promptly releasing
the giFl' q ellnging hand.
Miss ellis consents to remain" he
\ announced shortly and, denying him.
.tss1k - vIa,,nh as 5on0fhnr glance at his