Mower County transcript., 1907-08-28

hight 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 clutching the weapon re-
laxed, and Hampton laid one opened
hand upon the minister's shrinking
shoulder.
"Sit down." he said, his voice un-
steady from so sudden a reaction.
"Perhaps-perhaps 1 don't exactly un-
derstand''
For full minute they sat thus look
ing at each other through the fast
dimming light, like 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 ax-
1acity of manner, was first to break
tho silence.
80 you think I am 4 damned foel.
Well, we are in pretty fair accord as
to that fact, although no one before
has ever ventured to state it quite SO
clearly in my presence. Perhaps you
will kindly explain?"
The preacher wet his dry Nps with
his tongue, forgetting himself when
hic <hn1,nhfo f0 fri linz
expression.
II regret having spoken Is I did,"
he began. "Such language is not Fay
custom. I was irritated because of
your haste in rejecting my advances
before hearing the proposition came
to submit. I certainly respect your
evident desire to be Of assistance to
this young woman, nor have I the
slightest intention of interfering be-
tween you. Your act in preser%1ag
her life was truly noble one, and
your loyalty to her interests since is
worthy of all Christian praise. But
I believe l have right to ask, what
do 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? Is her home
hereafter to be the saloon and the
rough frontier hotel? Her ideal Of
manhood the quarrelsome gambler,
and of womanhood painted harlot?
Mr.. Hampton, you are evidently a 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. 1 thought, prayed, you
would be at once interested in that
purpose, and would comprehend the
reasonableness 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 consid-
cradle tiMe he made no move, and the
other Strengthened back in his chair
watching him.
"Well!" he ventured at last, "what
is your proposition?" The question
was quietly asked, but slight tremor
III Ine 1oW VoAce 'o1u VI leplesseu leel-
ing
THAT, for the present at least, you
confide this girl into the care of some
worthy woman
Have you any such in mind?"
"I have already discussed the mat
ter briefly with Mrs. Herndon, wife of
the superintendent of the Golden Rule
mines She is refined Christian lady,
beyond doubt the most proper person
to assume such a charge in this camp"
Hampton flung his sodden cigar butt
out of the window. "Ill talk it over
tomorrow with-with Miss Gillis," he
said, somewhat gruf1y 1T may be
this means a good deal more to me
than you suppose, parson, but I'm
bound to acknowledge there is consid-
just said, and I'll talk it over with the
girl"
Wynkoop held out his hand cordial
ly and the firm grasp of the other
closed over his fingers.
II don't exactly know why I didn't
kick you downstairs the latter COM
mented, as though still in wonder at
himself Never remember being quite
20 considerate before, but reckon
you must have come at me in about
the right way"
If Wynkoop answered, his words
were indistinguishable, but Hampton
remained standing in the open door
watching the missionary go down the
narrow stairs.
Merry little devil" he acknowl-
edged slowly to himself. "And maybe,
after all, that would be the best thing
for the Kid
CHAPTER vi.
"To Be or Not to Be.'
They were seated rather close togeth.
er upon the steep hillside, gazing silent
w. n