Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1907-09-20

you, have l? ! just didn't know
which way to turn to, after dad was
killed, and you sorter hung on to me,
and let It 60 the way supposed you
wanted It. But I'm not particularly
stuck on your style, let me tell you.
And ! reckon there's plenty Of ways
for me to get along. Only first. l pro
pose to understand what your little
game is. You don't throw down your
hand like that without some reason"
Hampton sat up, spurred into in
slant admiration by such independ-
ence of spirit. "You grow rather good
looking, Kid, when you get hot, but
you 30 at things half-cocked, and
you've got to get over 1t. That's the
whole trouble-you've never been
trained, and wouldn't make much of
trainer for a high-strung filly like
you. Ever remember your mother?"
Mighty little; reckon she must
have died when l was about five years
old. That's her picture"
Hampton took In his hand the old.
fashioned locket she held out toward
him, the long chain still clasped about
her throat, and pried open the stif.
catch with his knife blade. She bent
down to fasten her loosened shoe,
and when her eyes were uplifted his
gaze was riveted upon the face in the
picture.
Mighty pretty, wasn't she?" she
asked, with a sudden girlish interest,
bending forward to look, regardless of
his strained attitude. And she was
prettier than that, even, the way I
remember her best, with her hair all
hanging down, coming to tuck me into
bed at night. Someway that's how l
always seem to see her"
The man drew deep breath, and
snapped shut the locket, yet still re.
tanned 1t In his hand. Isis she
dead?" he questioned, and his voice
/ trembled in spite of his steel nerves.
Yes, in st. Louis; dad took me
there with him two years ago, and I
saw her grave"
Dad? Do you mean old Gillis?"
She nodded, beginning dimly to won.
der why he should speak so fiercely
and stare at her in that odd way.
he seemed to choke twice before he
could ask the next question.
Did he-old ellis, | mean-claim
to be your father, or her husband?"
mo, | don't reckon he ever did. but
ne gave me that picture, and told me
she was my mother. | always lived
with him, and called him dad. l reck.
on ne liked 1t, and he was mighty
good to me. We were at Randolph
long time, and since then he's been
post-trader at Bethune. That's all |
know about it, for dad never talked
very much, and he used 20 get mad
when | asked him questions"
Hampton dropped the locket from
his grasp and arose to his feet. For
several minutes he stood with his
back toward her, apparently gazing
down the valley, his jaw set, his dim.
med eyes seeing nothing. Slowly the
color came creeping into his face, and
MS hands unclinched Then he wheel.
ed about, and looked down upon her
completely restored to his old ma.
ture.
Then 1t seems that it is Just Won
and |, Kid, who have got to settle this
little affair" he announced. firmly
I'll have my say about ii, and then
You can uncork your feelings. | ratb.
er imagine haven't very much legal
right In the premises. but I've got a
sort OF moral grip on you by reason of
having pulled you out alive from that
canyon yonder, and l propose to plav
tnis game to the limit. You say your
motner is dead, and the man who
raised you is dead, and, so far as eth.
er OF us know, there isn't a soul anv.
wnere on earth who possesses anv
claim over you, or any desire to have
men, naturally, the whole jack.pot is
up to me, provided I've got the cards
Now, Kid, waving your prejudice aside
amt just exactly the best man in
this world to bring up a girl like Won
and make lady out of her. | thought
yesterday that maybe we might man.
age to hitch along together for
awhile, but I've got a different tb,nt
coming to-day. There's no use dis.
ngurlng the truth. I'm a gambler
something Of fighter on the side ana
loiks don't say anything too pleasing
ABOUT my peaceful disposition around
these settlements; l haven't any home
ana mighty few friends, and the few
! nave got are nothing to boast about
| reckon there's a cause for n all
so, considering everything, I'm about
tne poorest proposition ever was heard
OF 10 start young ladies' seminary
Inc Lord knows, old ellis was hsd
enough but I'm damned sight worse,
NOW, some woman has got to take Won
In hand, and reckon I've found tSs
right one." 'ne
Coin to get married, Bob"
Not this year; it's hardly become
30 serious as that; but I'm soins ~
nnd you a good home here and Pm
going to put up plenty Of stun 40 thar
they'll take care Of you all rirht AM, and
proper" "Au
Tha Al