Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1907-11-16

aught save the gloomy trend of his
own awakened memories. Some one
raped upon the outer door.
Come in he exclaimed, carelessly,
and barely glancing up well, what
is it this time, Mrs Guffy?"
The landlady had never before seen
this usually happy guest in his pres
ent mood, and she watched him GU
riously.
"A man wants ter 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 see
tibet wild half an eye But this un isn't
| tibet koind of a man, an he's so
| moighty perlite about it. Oh jist cudn't
sind the loikes of him away. It's
'Missus Guffy, me dear madam wud
We be koind enough to convey me COM
pliments to Misther Robert Hampton,
and requist him to grant me a few
minutes of his tonne on an important
| matter?' Sure, an what do We 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 fit ex-
preston in words. Then he swal-
L:
'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 countenance
which at once awakened confidence in
his character He entered the room
quietly, rather dreading this interview
with one of Mr.. Hampton's well-known
proclivities, yet in this case feeling
abundantly 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, colby, but with intended polite
ness, 1.-The honor of your unexpected
| call quite overwhelms me. I 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 the
| room beyond
ct was principally upon her account
1 ventured to CALL" Wynkoop ex-
planned in sudden confidence. Might
1 see her2''
Hampton's watchful eyes swept the
L hi
| hands clinched.
"Relative?" he asked gravely.
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
| ilege."
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 noiselessly.
''Wen,'' he said, inquiringly, what
| does all this mean?"
Let us sit down again. said the
minister, "and 1 will try to make my
purpose sufficiently clear. 1 am not
| here to mince words, nor do / believe
| you to be the kind of a man who would
respect me if 1 did. / may say some
| thing that will not sound pleasant, but
| in the cause of my Master 1 cannot
hesitate. You are an older man than
| 1, Mr.. Hampton; your experience in
| life has doubtless been much broader
| than mine, and it may even be that in
| point of education you are likewise
| my superior. Nevertheless, as the
| only minister of the gospel residing in
| this community it is beyond question
my plain duty to speak a few words to
| you in behalf of this young lady, and
| her probable future. 1 trust not to be
| offensive, yet cannot shirk the require
ments of my sacred Office.
The speaker paused. somewhat dis
concerted perhaps by the hardening Of
| the lines in Hampton's face.
60 on" commanded Hampton,
| tersely, "only let the preacher part
slide, and say just what you have to
| say as man to man.
Il prefer to do so,'' he continued.
1T will render my unpleasant task
much easier, and yield us both more
direct road to travel 1 have been
laboring on this field for nearly three
years. When / first came here you
were pointed out to me as most dan
gerous man, and ever since then I
have constantly been RECALLED by the