, 1908-07-30

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 a deep breath, and
snapped shut he iocket. 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 g and I
saw her grave"
Dad? Do you mean old Gillis?"
She nodded, beginning dimly to Won.
der why he should speak so fercely
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, l don't reckon he ever did, but
he gave me that picture, and told me
she was my mother. l always lived
with him, and called him lad. 1 reck-
on he liked 1t, and he was mighty
good to me. We were at Randolph
a long time, and since then he's been
post-trader at Bethune. That's all l
know about 1t. for dad never talked
very much, and he used to get mad
when l 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
his hands unclinch ID. Then he wheel.
ed about, and looked down upon her,
completely restored to his old ma
ture.
Then 1t seems that 1t is Just you
and l. Kid. who lave got to settle this
little ahair.' he announced. firmly.
+ have my say about it, and then
you can uncork you feelings. l rath-
q imagine l haven't very much legal
right in the premises, but I've go n
sort of moral grip on you by reason of
having pulled you out alive from that
canyon yonder, and propose to PLAY
this game to the limit. You say your
mother is dead, and the man who
raised you is dead, and, so far as eth
or OF US know. there isn't q soul my
where on earth who possesses any
claim over you. or n desire % have.
Then, naturally, the whole jackpot is
up to me, provided I've got the cards.
Now. Kid. waving YOU prejudice aside,
l amt Just exactly the PEST man in
this world to bring up a girl like you
and make q lady out of her. / thought
yesterday that maybe we might man
age to hitch along together for
awhile. but I've got q different think
coming to-day. There's no use dis
hsvring the truth. I'm a gambler,
something Of a fighter on the. side, and
folks don't say anything too pleasing
about my peaceful disposition around
these settlements; l haven't any home,
and mighty few friends, and the few
l have got are nothing to boast about.
l reckon there's a cause for it all.
30. considering everything, I'm about
the poorest proposition ever was heard
OF to start a young ladies' seminary.
b Lord knows. old ellis was bad
enough. but I'm a damned sight worse.
Now. some woman has got to take you
In hand, and l reckon I've found the
right one"
Coin to get married, Bob?"
mot this year; it's hardly become
20 serious as that; but I'm going to
md you a good home here. and I'm
going to put up plenty OF stun, SO that
eheyu tak care Of you all right and
.proper."
The dark eyes never wayered az
fhey looked steadily into the gray
pnes. but the chin quivered slightly.
4 reckon I'd rather try 1t alone"
h announced stubbornly. Maybe I
might have stood 1t with you, Bob
Hampton. but a woman is the limit"
Il expect 1t will go rather hard at
1rst, Kid" he admitted craftily. but
! think you might try 1t a while Just to
sort of please me-"
"Who-who is she?" do%ubtfully.
MRS. Herndon, wife of the super
intendent Of the Golden Rule mine:"
and he waved his hand toward the dis.
tant houses. They tell me she's .
mighty fine woman"
"Oh. they do? Then somebody's
been stirring you up about me, have
they? l thought that was about the
way of 1t. Somebody wants to reform
me. l reckon. Well, maybe l won't be
reformed. Who was 1t, Bob?"
THE Presbyterian missionary" he
confessed reluctantly, "a neryy little
chap named Wynkoop; he came in to
see me last night while O were
asleep" He faced her open scorn un-
shrinkingly, his mind fully decided.
and clinsing to one thought with all
the ~tenacity OF his nature.
IA preacher!" her voice vibrant with