Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1907-08-17
CHAPTER XVI.
Mr.. Hampton Resolves.

Mr.. Hampton Resolves.
Mr. Bob Hampton stood in the bright
sunshine on the steps of the hotel. his
appreciative gaze wandering up the
long. dusty. unoccupied street, and
finally rising to the sweet face Of tho
young girl who occupied the step
above. AS their eyes met both smiled
as If they understood each other.
There is nothing quite equal to
feeling WELL little girl" he said, gem
tally. patting her hand where 1t rested
on the railing. "and I really believe
am in as fine fettle now as I ever have
been. Do you know, believe I'm per-
fectly fit to undertake that little de-
tective operation casually mentioned
to you few days ago. It's got to be
done, and the sooner / get at 1t the
easier I'll feel Fact is. l put in a
large portion of the night thinking out
my plans"
Il wish you would give 1t up all to-
gether, Bob" she said, anxiously. Il
shall be SO dull and lonely here while
you are gone
II reckon you will. for fact, but,
Nadia, 1t isn't likely this little affair
will require very long. and things are
lots happier between us since my late
shooting scrape. When fall comes
mean to take you east and put you
In some good finishing school. Don't
care quite as much about It a. you
did. do you?"
YES, think do, Bob" She stroye
bravely to express enthusiasm. THE
trouble is, am so worried over your
going OFF alone hunting after that
man."
He laughed, his eyes searching her
face for the truth. Well, little girl,
he won't exactly be the first I've had
call to 60 after. Besides. this is a
particular case, and appeals to me In
q sort Of personal way. II you only
knew 1t, you're about as deeply con-
cerned in the result as am, and as for
me. l can never rest easy again until
the matter Is over with"
ITS that awful Murphy, isn't IT,"
Hes the one I'm starting after first
and one sight at his right hand will
decide whether he Is to be the last as
we'll"
Il never supposed you would seek
revenge. like a savage" she remarked,
quietly. "You never used to be that
way"
Good Lord, Nadia, do you think I'm
low down enough to 90 out hunting
that poor cuss merely to get even with
him for trying to stick me with 3
knife? Why. there are 20 others who
have done as much. and we have been
the best Of friends afterwards. Oh,
no, lassie. 1t means more than that,
and harks back many long year.
told you l saw q mark on his hand I
would never forget-but / saw that
mark first IL years ago. This is
duty owe friend, dead fYend. to
run to earth this murderer. Do you
understand now? The fellow who did
that shooting up at Bethune Is years
ago had the same sort Of mark on
his right hand as this one who killed
Slavin. That's why I'm after him and
when catch up he'll either squeal or
die"
But how do you know"
Il never told you the whole story
and don't mean to now until come
back and can make everything per-
fectly clear. 1t wouldn't do you any
good the way things stand now, and
would only make you uneasy. But If
you do any praying over it, my girl,
pray good and hard that may dis
cover some means for making that fell
low squeal."
She made no response but stood
gazing thoughtfully past him.
"Have you heard anything lately,
Bob, about the SEVENTH" she asked
finally. "Since-since N troop left
here?"
lie answered with well-simulated
carelessness. mo; but it is most like
ly they are well into the game by this
time. Crooks column, have just
heard, was overwhelmingly attacked
on the Rosebud, and forced to fall
back That leaves the Seventh to
take the brunt Of it, and there is going
to be hell up north presently, or I've
forgotten all ever knew about In
dams. But come, little girl, as | said,
I'm quite likely to be off before night,
provided I am fortunate enough to
strike fresh trail. Under such condi-
lions you won't mind my kissing you
out here, will you?"
She held up her lips and he touched
them softly with his own. Her eyes
we're tear-dimmed. ooh, Bob. hate
SO to let you go" she sobbed, cling
l-HSYdIHI5lISS - II. II