Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1907-12-28
CHAPTER VI.

TO &c or Not 90 Be-"
They were seated rather close toceth-
sr upon the steep hillside. gazing silent
y down upon squaud Gleucaid Az such
considerable distance all the dull shah
biness OF the mining town had disap-
peared. and t seemed almost ideal.
viewed against the natural background
OF brown rocks and green trees. Every
where was loneliness. no sound telling
OF the labor OF man reached them.
and tho few scattered buildings far
below resembling mere dou.houses.
They had conversed only upon the
constantly changing beauty Of the
scene. or Of Incidents connected with
their upward climb. while moving
slowly along the trail through the
fresh morning sunshine Now they
sat In silence, the young girl. with
cheeks flushed and dreamy eyes aglov.
cared Tar OF along the valley. the
man watching her curiously. and won
oering how best 90 approach his task
Observing her now. sitting thus Ga
total unconsciousness Of his scrutiny.
Hampton made no attempt 90 analvze
the depth OF his interest for this vyaif
who had come drifting into his life
Even % his somewhat proiudiced
eyes she was not ara attractive crea-
Sure, Tor she possessed no clear con-
oeption Of how 20 render apparent
those few feminine charms she pos
sessed. Negligence and total uncon-
sciousness OF self coupled with lack
or womRnly COmranioushin and guild
ance. had left her altogether I'm the
rough He marked now the coarse
ragged shoes. the cheap PATCHED skirt
the tousled auburn hair. the sunburnt
cheeks with suggestion OF frecklos
plainly visible beneath the eyes. and
some OF tho fasudiousness OF early
DAYS caused him 90 shrug HIS shout
ders- Yet underneath the tan there
was the glow OF perfect young health:
the eyes were frank. brave. unfiuch-
Ing; while the rounded chin held
world OF character IN IT'S arm con
tour Somehow the sight OF this
brought back Co him that abiding
faith in her dead Eameness" which
had lrst awakened his admiration.
KID" he veuured at last. you
were talking while we came up the
trail about how we'd do this and that
after awhile. You don't suppose I'm
going 20 have any useless rirI like
you hanging around on 90 nae. do
your"
She glanced quickly about nc him.
as though such unexpected expressions
startled her from a pleasant reverle
why. II thought that was the way
you planned DC yesterday" she or-
claimed. doubtfuuy
"Oh yesterday, Wen. YOU see. YES
terdny ! was sort OF dreaming: to-day
am wide awake and I've about de-
cided, KID. that for your own good.
and my comfort I've got 20 shake
you
A sudden CLEAN OF fierce resentment
leaped into the dark eyes. the UNI
restrained glow OF a passion which
had never known control "Oh. You
have, have you. Mr. Bob Hampton2
You have about decided Well. why
don't you altogether decide? Idon't
think I'm down on my knees begging
you for mercy Good Lordi I reck-
on can get along all right without
you did before. Just what hap
Dened TO give you such q change OF
heartI'
4 made the sudden discovery" no
said. affecting a laziness he was far
from feeling. that you were too near
being young woman 20 90 traipsing
around the country with me, living at
shAcks. and having no company bat
gambling sharks, and that class OF
cattle"
"Oh, did you? What else?"
only that our tempers don't ex-
Actly seem to jibe. and the two OF