Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-09-13

7 thilk." he said. scarcely resmsns
his own words. you are damned
fool"
Into Hampton's eyes there leaped a
light upon which other men had looked
before they died,-the strange mad
gieam one sometimes sees in fighting
animals. or amid Che fierce charges Of
war. His hand swept instinctively
backward. closing upon the butt of q
revolver beneath his coat, and for one
second he who had dared such utter
ancs looked on death. Then the hard
lines about the mans mouth softened,
the fingers clutchins the weapon re-
hxsd, and Hampton laid one opened
hand upon the minister's shrinking
shoulder.
sit down." he said. his voice un.
steady from 20 sudden q reaction.
"Perhaps-perhaps don't exactly un-
derstand-"
For full minute they sat thus look.
Ing at each other through the fast
dlmming light, Ike two prize-fghters
meeting for the first time within the
ring, and taking mental stock before
beginning their physical argument.
Hampton. with . touch OF his old au-
dacity OF manner, was first to break
the silence.
80 you think | am Q damned fool.
Well. We are In pretty fair accord as
to that fact. although no one before
has ever yentured to state 1t quite so
clearly In my presence. Perhaps you
will kindly explain?"
The preacher wet his dry lips with
his tongue, forgetting himself when
his thoughts began to crystalline into
expression.
II regrst having spoken as / did"
be began. Such language Is not my
custom. was irritated because Of
your haste In rejecting my advances
before hearing the proposition | came
to submit. ! certainly respect your
evident desire to be Of assistance to
this young woman, nor have the
slightest intention Of interfering be-
tween you Your act In preserving
her life was truly . noble one, and
yeuf loyalty TO her interests since 10
worthy Of al Christian praise. But
believe have right TO ask, what
90 you intend for the future? Keep
her with you! Drag her about from
camp TO camp? Educate her among
the communicating poison Of gambling
holes and dance-halls! In her home
hereafter to be the saloon and the
rough frontier hotel! Her ideal Of
manhood the quarrelsome gambler,
and Of womanhood q painted harlot!
Mr.. Hampton. you are evidently man
OF education, Of early refinement; you
have known better things; and | have
come to you seeking merely to aid you
In deciding this helpless young wom-
ans destiny. thought / prayed, you
would BE- At once interested In that
purpose. and would comprehend the
rsasonabkness 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 q consid.
cradle time be made no move, and the
other Strengthened back In his chair
watching him.
WE'LL" he ventursd at last what
ID your propositionr' The question
was quietly asked, but . slight tremor
10 the low voice told Of depressed feel.
Ing.
That, for the present at least, you
connde this girl into the care Of some
| worthy WOMAN"
/ nav yOu eug SuCu IN mtuu
Il have already discussed the mat.
ter briefly with Mrs. Herndon, wife Of
The superintendent Of the Golden Rule
mines. She Is 3 refined Christian lady,
beyond doubt the most proper person
TO assume such charge In this camp"
Hampton nung his sodden cigar butt
out Of the vindow. III talk It over
tomorrow vith-with Miss Gillis," he
said, somewhat grufny. 1T may be
this means q good deal more to 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 1t over with the
girl"
Wynkoop held out bis hand cordial.
y and the arm grasp Of the other
closed over his fingers.
Il don't exactly know why | didn't
kick you downstairs" the latter COM
mented. % though still In wonder at
himself. Never remember being quite
- confederate before, but I reckon
you must have come At me In about
the right way"
II wyatoop answered. his words
wers intistinguishable, but Hampton
remained standing In the open door
Watching he missionary 30 down the
narrow stairs.
Merry little devil" he acknowl-
edged slowly 10 himself. And maybe,
after al, hat would BE- the best thing
for the Kid"
ITO be Continued.)