Mower County transcript., 1907-09-04

unhesftatingly pressed forward and
turned defiantly in through the gate
less opening. He followed In silence
along the narrow foot-path bordered
by weeds, and stood back while she
stepped boldly up on the rude stone
slab and raped sharply against the
warped and sagging door. A moment
they stood thus waiting with no re-
sponse from within. Once she glanced
suspiciously around at him, only to
wheel back instantly and once more
apply her knuckles to the wood Be-
fore he had conjured up something
worth saying the door was partially
opened, and a rounded dumping of q
woman, having rosy cheeks, her hair
iron-gray, her blue eyes half smiling
in uncertain welcome, looked out upon
them Questioningly.
1--WE come to live here" announced
the girl, sullenly. THAT is, If like it,"
The woman continued to gaze at her
as If tempted to laugh outright, then
the pleasant blue eyes hardened as
their vision swept beyond toward
Hampton. =
1T is extremely kind of you, I'm
sure," she said at last "Why is it I,
am to be thus honored?"
The girl backed partially off the
doorstep, her hair Tapping in the wind,
her cheeks flushed.
"Oh, you needn't put on so much
style about it," she blurted out You're
Mrs. Herndon, amt you? Well, then,
this is the place where I was sent; but
I reckon you amt no more particular
about it than I am. There's Others"
"Who sent you to ne?' and Mrs.
Herndon came forth into the sunshine.
"The preacher
ooh, Mr.. Wynkoop; then you must
be the homeless girl whom Lieut..
Brant brought in the other day. Why
did you not say so at first? You may
come in, my child
There was a sympathetic tenderness
apparent now in the tones of her
voice, which the girl was swift to per-
ceive and respond to, yet she held
back, her independence unshaken.
With the quick intuition of woman,
Mrs. Herndon bent down, placing one
hand on the defiant shoulder.
II did not understand. at first, my
DEAR" she said, soothingly, "or I
should never have spoken as I did.
Some very strange callers come here:
But you are truly welcome. 1 had a
daughter once; she must have been
nearly your age when God took her.
Won't you come in?"
While thus speaking she never once
glanced toward the man standing in
silence beyond, yet as the two passed
through the doorway together he fol-
lowed, unasked. Once within the plain
ly furnished room, and with her arm
about the girls waist, the lines about
her mouth hardened. IT do not recall
extending my invitation to you," she
said, coldly.
He remained standing, hat in hand,
his face shadowed, his eyes picturing
deep perplexity.
For the intrusion I offer my apol-
ogy," he replied, humbly; 'but you
see IL feel responsible for this young
woman She-sort of fell to my care
when none of her own people were
left to look after her. only came to
show her the way, and to say that I
stand ready to pay you we'll to see to
her bit, and show her how to get
hold of the right things"
Indeed" and Mrs. Herndon's voice
was not altogether pleasant. II under
stood she was entirely alone and
friendless. Are you that man who
brought her out Of the canyon?"
Hampton bowed as though half
ashamed Of acknowledging the act
"Oh! then l know who you are" she
continued, unhesitatingly. You are 4
gambler and a bar-room rough.
won't touch penny of your money. I
told Mr.. Wynkoop that shouldn't, but
that I would endeavor to do my Chris
tian duty by this poor girl. He was to
bring her here himself, and keep you
away" !: il - :.,=
The man smiled slightly, not in the
least disconnected by her plain speech:
Probably We departed from the hotel
somewhat earlier than the minister
anticipated" he explained, quietly, his
old ease of manner returning in face
of such open opposition. Il greatly re-
greet your evident prejudice, madam,
and can only say that have more CON
fdence in you than you appear to have
in me. l shall certainly discover some
means by which may do my part in
shaping this girls future, but in the
meanwhile will relieve you of my un-
desired presence"
He stepped without into the glare
of the sunlight, feeling utterly care
less as to the woman who had affront-
ed him, yet somewhat hurt on seeing
that the girl had not once lifted her
downcast eyes to his face. Yet he had
scarcely taken three steps toward the
road before she was beside him, her
hand upon his sleeve.
Il won't stay!" she exclaimed, fierce
ly, Il won't, Bob Hampton. I'd rather
60 with you than be good.'' s.&
His sensitive face flushed with de-