The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1907-11-07

remained utterly unconscious MS 20
aught save the gloomy trend OF his
W awakened memories Some one
raped upon the outer door.
Como I'm" he exclaimed. %carclossly.
and barely glancing up. "Woll, what
IS Il this time, Mrs, GuffyG"
The landlady had never before cen
this usually happy guest In his pres
ent mood, and she watched him en-.
riously.
"a man wants tor see ye, she an
nounced, shortly. her hand on the
knob.
"oh, I'm IN no shape for play to-
night: go back and tell him so"
Sure. an It's aisy 'nough ter sec
thet wild half an eye. But this I'm isn't
tibet koind Of a man, an he's so
moighty perlite about Il. OF list cudn't
sind the loikes OF him away. It's
Missus Guny, me dear madam, wud
We be koind enough TO convey me CON
pliments to Misther Robert Hampton.
and requist him TO grant me a few
minutes of his tonne on an important
matterg Sure. an what do ye think
! Of thet?"
Huh! one OF those fellows who had
these rooms?" and Hampton rose to
his feet with animation.
The landlady lowered her voice to
an almost inaudible whisper.
Its the Rev. Howard Wynkoop,"
she announced, impressively. dwelling
upon the name. The Rev. Howard
wynkoop, the Presbyterian missionary
wouldn't tibet cork ye?"
1t evidently did. for Mr.. Hampton
stared at her for fully a minute in an
amazement too profound for ht ex.
/ preston in words. Then he swal-
lowed something IN his throat.
SHOW the gentleman up" he said.
shortly, and SAT down to wait.
The Rev. Howard Wynkoop was
neither giant nor dwarf. but the very
| fortunate possessor OF a c-ountenance
which at once awakened confidence In
his character. He entered the o
quietly. rather d~reading this interview
with one Of Mr.. Hampton's well-known
procliyities, yet in this case feeling
a~bundantly fortified in the righteous
ness Of his cause. His brown eyes
met the inquisitive gray ones frankly.
and Hampton waved him silently to-
ward a vacant chair.
Our lines OF labor in this vineyard
being so entirely opposite, the latter
said, coldly. but with intended polite
ness. the honor Of your unexpected
call quite overwhelms me. l shall
have TO trouble you to speak somewhat
softly In explanation Of your present
mission. so as not to disturb a young
girl who chances to be sleeping in tho
room beyond"
1T was principally upon her account
/ ventured to call" WynEoop ex-
planned in sudden confidence. Might
/ see herr"
Hampton's watchmi eyes swept tho
others face suspiciously. and his
hands clinched.
"Relative2' he asked grayely.
The preacher shook his head,
Friend Of the family. perhaps?
mo. Mr.. Hampton My purpose In
coming here Is perfectly proper. yet
the request was not advanced as a
right. but merely as a special priv
nege."
A moment Hampton hesitated; then
he arose and quietly crossed the room,
holding open the door. Without a
word being spoken the minister FOL.
lowed. and stood beside him. For
several minutes the eyes Of both men
rested upon the girls sleeping form
and upturned face. Then Wynkoop
drew silently back. and Hampton
closed the door uolselessly.
Well. he said. in%quirinsly, what
does all this mean
Let us sit down again" said the
minister, and / viii try to make ms
purpose sufficiently clear am not
here to mlnce words. nor do ! believe
YOU TO be the kind Of a man who would
respect me II / did. / may say some
thing that will not sound pleasant. bal
In the cause Of my Master ! cannot
hesitate. You are an older man thar
l. Mr. Hampton; your experience IN
life has doubtless been much broader
than mine. and q may ven be that IN
point of |educ1tion sou are likewise
my superior. Nevertheless. as IN,
only minister Of the gospel residing Ia
hts community II o. beyond question
my plain duty TO speak a few words q
you In behalf OF this young lady, ant
. her probable future. ! trust not 20 b
D offensive. yet cannot shirk the require
ments Of my sacred Office
The speaker paused. somewhat dis
concerted perhaps by the hardening o.
the lines In Hampton's face.
Go on commanded Hampton
, tersely, only LEI the preacher par
slide. and say just what you have I,
say as man 90 man.
! Il prefer 20 do So" he continued
e 1t viii render my unpleasant tasl
much easier. and yield as both a NOR
L direct road TO travel ! have beer
laboring on this field for nearly tire.
years. When / first anne here yol