Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-09-27
CHAPTER VIII.
A Last Revolt,


ficiently unpleasant one, for Mr.. Hamp.
ton. For a number Of years he had
been diligently training himself in the
school Of cynicism, endeavoring to per-
suade himself that he did not in the
least care what others thought, nor
how his own career ended; impelling
himself to constant recklessness In life
and thought. He had thus successfully
built up a wall between the present
and that past which long haunted his
lonely moments, and had finally de-
cided that il was Theoretically sealed.
Yet now, this odd chit Of girl, this
waif whom he had plucked from the
jaws of death, had overturned this
carefully constructed barrier as II II
| had been originally built Of mere card,
board, and he was compelled again to
see himself, loathe himself, just as he
had in those past years.
One thing he grasped clearly,-the
girl should be given her chance moth
ing In his life must ever again soil her
or lower her ideals. Mrs. Herndon
was right, and he realized 1t; neither
his presence nor his money were fit to
influence her future. He swore be-
tween his clinched teeth, his face
grown haggard. The suns rays bridged
the slowly darkening valley with cords
of red gold, and the man pulled him
self to his feet by gripping the root
Of a tree. He realized that he had
been sitting there for hours, and that
he was hungry.
Down beneath, amid the fast awak.
ening noise and hustle of early even.
ing, the long discipline of the gambler
reasserted itself-he got back his
nerve. 1t was Bob Hampton, cool, re.
sourceful, sarcastic Of speech, quick Of
temper, who greeted the loungers
about the hotel, and who sat, with his
back to the wall, in the little dining.
room, watchful of all others present
And 1t was Bob Hampton who strolled
carelessly out upon the darkened porch
an hour later, leaving a roar of laugh,
ter behind him, and an enemy as we'll
Little he cared for that, however, in
his present mood, and he stood there
amid the black shadows, looking con-
temptuously down upon the stream OF
coatless humanity trooping past on
pleasure bent, the blue smoke circling
his head, his gray eyes glowing half
angrily. Suddenly he leaned forward
clutching the rail in quick surprise.
kid" he exclaimed, harshly, what
does this mean? What are you doing
alone here?"
She stopped instantly and glanced
up, her face flushing in the light
streaming forth from the open door
OF the OcclQenldl.
81 reckon I'm alone here because
want to be-" she returned, defiantly
Il amt no slave How do you get up
there?"
He extended his hand, and drew hel
up beside him into the shaded corner
We'll" he said, tell me the truth"
I've quit, that's all, Bob. | just
couldn't stand reform any longer, and
20 I've come back here to you"
The man drew 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 like some things she said anC
did"
kid" and Hampton Strengthened
up, his voice growing stern. I've got
to know the straight of this. You say
you like Mrs. Herndon we'll enough
but not some other things. What wer,
they?"
The girl hesitated, drawing back
little from him until the light from tn,
saloon fell directly across her face
Well" she declared, slowly, you Sc,
it had to be either her or-or you
Bob, and Id rather it would be you"
You mean she said you would hav
to cut me out entirely If you stage,
there with her."
She nodded, her eyes filled with en-
treaty. Yes, that was about it.
wasn't ever to have anything more t
DO with you, not even to speak to 20
If we met-and after you'd saved m
life, too"
Never mind about that little affair
Kid" and Hampton rested his han
gently on her shoulder. That was a
in the days work, and hardly count
for much anyhow. Was that all sh
said?"
She called you low.down gambler
q gun-fghter, IA miserable barroor
thug, "a murderer. She-she sal
that II / ever dared to speak to 70
again, Bob Hampton, that | could leav
her house. just couldn't stand fo
that so l came away"
Hampton never stirred, his teet
set deep into his cigar, his hand
clinched about the railing. The fool!
he muttered half aloud, then caugt
his breath quickly. Now see her,
Kid" and he turned her about so ths
he might look down into her eye
I'm mighty glad you like me we
enough to put up kick, but II all thI
IN 49,: