, 1908-07-23

M superior. Nevertheless, as the
only minister Of the gospel residing in
this community II 10 beyond question
my plain duty to speak 4 faw words to
you in behalf Of this young lady. and
her probable future. I 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.
Go on" commanded Hampton,
tersely. only let tho preacher part
slide. and say just what you have to
say as man to man"
Il prefer to do So" he continued.
TT will render my unpleasant task
much easier. and yield US both a more
direct road to travel. have been
laboring on this field for nearly three
years. When | first came here you
were pointed out to me as a most dan
gerous man. and ever since then l
have constantly been RECALLED by the
stories of our exploits. have known
you merely through such unfriendly
reports. INT came here strongly prsju-
diced against you as a representative
Of every evil war against. We have
never met before, because there
seemed to be nothing In common be-
ween US: because l had been led t.
suppose you to be an entirely different
man from what l now believe you
are"
Hampton stirred uneasily IN his
chair.
Shall paint in exceedingly plain
words the picture given me of your"
There was NO response. but the
speaker moistened his lips and pro
ceeded firmly. 1T was that of q pro-
fessional gambler. utterly devoid of
mercy toward his victims; a reckless
fighter. Who shot to Kill upon the least
provocation; . man without moral
character. and from whom any good
action was impossible. That was what
vas said about you. Is the ale true?"
Hampton laughed u~npleasantly. his
oyos gro wn hard and ugly.
Il presume 1t must be-" he admitted,
with = quick side glance toward the
closed door. for the girl out yonder
thought about the same. A most ex-
eellent reputation to establish with
emily ten = Of strict attendance tr
business"
Wynkoop's grave face expressed his
lisapproval.
Well In my present judgment that
report vas not altogether true" he
went on clearly and with greater con-
ndence. II did suppose o exactly
that sort of a man when l first came
toto thtp rNnUn hnUn mt holtnUAl
so, however. for a single moment
since. Nevertheless. the naked truth
IL certainly bad enough, without any
necessity for our resorting to romance.
You may deceive others by an assump-
ton of recklessness, but / feel con-
WINGED your true nature Is not evil. 1t
has been warped through some cause
which IL non of my business. Let us
deal altne with facts. You are a gam
bier. a professional gambler. with all
that that implies: your life Is, Of neces-
sity, passed among the most vicious
and degrading elements of mining
camps, inc you do not hesitate even
to take human life when in your judg-
ment II seems necessary to preserve
your own. Under this veneer of law
l~essness you may. indeed, possess a
warm heart. Mr.. Hampton: you nay
be a good fellow. but you are certain
ly not q model character. even accord
ing to the liberal cod of the border"
Extremely kind of o to enter my
rooms unlimited. and furnish me with
this list of moral . les ac
kAowlsdgsd the other with affected
----N------- Nn.s kA,r~ g.. -@,, hAuA
failed to tell me anything strikingly
new. An I to understand you have
some particular object In this e.
change Of amenities?"
Most assuredly. II 10 to ask II such
Q person A. you practically confess
yourself to be-homsless. a~ssociating
saly with the most despicable and
Vicious characters, and leading SO I'M
certain and disrsputable a life-can be
~ to assume charge of = girl. almost
Q woman. and mould her future?"
For = long, brsathless moment
Hampton stared incredulously at his
his teeth. Twice he started to speak,
but literally choked back the bitter
words burning his lips, while an un-
eontrollable admiration for the Others
holiness began to overcome his first
Asrcs anger.
by God!" he exclaimed at last. ris-
ing to his feet and pointing toward the
door. Il have shot men for less. Go.
before l forget your cloth. You little
impudent fool! See here-l saved
that girl from death. or worse; l
nlucks d her from the very mouth OF
hell: l like her; she's got sand; SO far
~ / know there IL not a single soul
for her to turn to for help in all this
wide world. And you. you miserable.
snivelling hypocrite, YOU little creep
ing Presbyterian parson, you want mo
IN shake her! What sort of \ wild