The Montgomery tribune. (Montgomery City, Mo.) 1892-1910, 1908-02-07

10y
upon the name. The Rev. Howard
wynkoop, the Presbyterian missionar,
wouldn't tibet cork ye?"
1t evidently did, for Mr.. Hampton
stared at her for fully a minute In IN
amazement too profound for At 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 q countenance
which at once awakened confidence In
his character. He entered the oom
quietly, rather dreading this interview
with one Of Mr.. Hampton's %well-knowr
prQcliylties, yet in this case feeling
6~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 oyerwhelms me. I shall
have to trouble you to speak somewhat
softly in explanation of your present
| mission, so as not to disturb a young
gil who chances to be sleeping in the
room beyond"
1T was principally upon her accouns
I ventured to CALL" Wynkoop *.
planned in sudden confidence. might
l see herr"
Hampton's watchful eyes swept the
others face suspiciously, and his
hands clinched.
"Relative?" he asked grave.y.
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 o
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 u%pturned- face. Then Wynkoop
drew silently back, and Hampton
closed the door noiselessly.
WELL" he said, in%quiringly, what
does all this mean?"
Let us sit down again." said the
minister, "and I will try to make my
purpose sufficiently clear. I am not
here to mtnce words, nor do I believe
you to be the kind Of a man who would
respect me If I did. I may say some
thing that will not sound pleasant, b2t
in the cause OF my Master I cannot
hesitate. You are an older man than
I, 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 1t Is beyond question
my plain duty to speak a few 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 the preacher part
slide, and say just what you have to
say as mar to man."
II prefer to do So" he continued.
1T will render my unpleasant task
much easier, and yield us both a more
direct road to travel. I have been
laboring on this field for nearly three
years. When I first came here you
were pointed out to me as a most dan.
gerous man, and v since then l
have constantly been regaled by the
stories of your exploits. I have known
you merely through such unfriendly
reports, and came here strongly preju-
diced against you as a representative
Of every evil I war against. We have
never met before, because there
seemed to be nothing in common be-
tween US; because 1 had been led to
suppose you to be an entirely different
man from what I now believe yea
are"
Hampton stirred uneasily in his
chair.
"Shall 1 paint in exceedingly plain
words the picture given me of your"
(TO BE CONTINUED.)