The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1907-07-31


fidence. Il did suppose you exactly
that sort Of q man when ! hrst came
into this room. ! have not believed
90. however, for q 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 ] feel con-
WINGED your true nature Is not evil. 1t
has been warped through some cause
which Is none OF my business. Let us
deal alone With facts. You are gam
bier. a professional gambler, with all
that that implies; your life is, Of neees-
slty, passed among the most vicious
and degrading elements Of mining
camps, and you do not hesitate even
to take human life when in your judg-
ment 1t seems necessary to preserve
your own. Under this veneer Of law
lessness you may, indeed, possess q
warm heart, Mr.. Hampton; you may
be a good fellow, but you are certain.
~ not 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" 40
knowledged the other with affected
carolessness. "But thus far you have
failed to tell me anything strikingly
new. Am to understand you have
some particular object in this ex-
change Of amenities?"
Most assuredly. 1t is to ask II such
q person as you practically confess
yourself to be-homeless, associating
only with the most despicable and
vicious characters, and leading SO un-
certain and disreputable life-can be
fit to assume charge Of girl, almost
a woman, and mould her future?"
For long, breathless moment
Hampton stared incredulously at his
questiones, crushing his cigar between
his teeth. Twice he started to speak,
but 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 Cod" he exclaimed at last, ris-
ing to his feet and pointing toward the
door. II have shot men for less. Go,
before forget your cloth. You little
impudent fool! See here-I saved
that girl from death, or worse; I
plucked her from the very mouth Of
hell; l like her; she's got sand; SO far
as know there Is not single soul
for her to turn to for help in all this
wide world. And you, you miserable,
snivelling hypocrite, you little creep
ing Presbyterian parson, you want me
to shake her! What sort Of wild
beast do you suppose ami"
Wynkoop had taken one hasty step
backward, impelled to It by the fierce
anger blazing from those stern, gray
eyes. But now he paused, and, for
the only time on record, discovered
the conventional language. of polite So
ciety inadequate to express his needs.
~ think" he said, scarcely realizing
his own words, "you are a damned
fool"
Into Hampton's eyes there leaped d
light upon which other men had looked
before they died,-the strange mad
CLEAN one sometimes sees in fighting
animals, or amid the fierce charges of
war. His hand swept instinctively
backward, closing upon the butt OF a
revolver beneath his coat, and for one
second he who had dared such utter
ance looked on death. Then the hard
lines about the mans mouth softened,
the fingers clutchiug the weapon re-
Taxed, and Hampton laid one opened
hand upon the minister's shrinking
shoulder.
"slt down." he said, his voice un-
steady from so sudden reaction.
"Perhaps-perhaps l don't exactly I'M
derstand,"
For full minute they sat thus look
ing at each other through the fast
dimmtng light, like two prize-hghters
meeting for the first time within the
ring, and taking mental stock before
beginning their physical argument.
Hampton, with a touch of his old au-
dacity Of manner, was first to break
the silence.
$50 you think l am a damned fool.
Well, we are in pretty fair accord as
to that fact, although no one before
has ever ventured 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.
Il regret having spoken as / did"
he began. Such language is not my
custom. was irritated because OF
your haste in rejecting my advances
before hearing the proposition l came
to submit. I 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 a noble one, aud
your loyalty to her interests since is
worthy Of all Christian praise. But
1 believe I have right to ask, what
GO you intend for the future? Keep
her with you? Drag her about from
camp to cnmp? Educate her among