Mexico Missouri message., 1908-01-02

Lne TUCK, anu bltAluk sunny tuo cuiof
on her cheeks deepening through the
sunburn. Now see here. Mister Bob
Hampton, you're q fraud. and you
know iti Didn't understand exact
ly who you was, and what was your
business7 Didn't I know you was q
gambler, and . bad manF Didn't I
tell you plain enough out yonder"--
and her voice faltered slightly--"just
what l thought aboutyou3 Good Lordi
I haven't been begging to stick with
you. have II Just didn't know
which way 10 turn TO. after dad was
killed, and you sorter hung on TO me,
and l let II 60 the way supposed you
wanted Il. But I'm not particularly
stuck on your style, let me tell you,
and I reckon there's plenty OF ways
for me to get along. Only FIRST, pro-
pose to understand what your little
game IL. 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 go at things half-cocked. and
you've got to get over II. That's the
whole trouble-you've never been
trained, and wouldn't make much of
a trainer for a high.strung flly like
you. Ever remember your mother7"
Mighty little; reckon she must
have died when was about Ave years
old. That's her picture"
Hampton took In his hand the old.
fashioned iocket she held out toward
him. the long chain still clasped about
her throat, and pried open the stiff
catch with his knife blade. She bent
down 20 fasten her loosened shoe,
and when her eyes we're upllfted his
gaze was riveted upon the face in the
picture.
Mighty pretty, wasn't she7" 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 I
always seem to see her"
The man drew a deep breath, and
snapped shut the locket, yet still re-
tanned It 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
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
he gave me that picture, and told me
she was my mother. / always lived
with him. and called him dad. 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 I
know about 1t, for dad never talked
very much, and he used to get mad
when / asked him question:"
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 unclinched. Then he wheel.
ed about, and looked down upon her,
completely restored to his old ma.
ture.
Then It seems that Il is just you
and l. Kid, who have got to settle this
little affair." he announced, firmly
I'll have my say about 1t, and Their
you can uncork your feelings. l rath
er imagine l haven't very much legal
right In the premises. but I've got q
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 any
where on earth who possesses any
claim over you. or any desire to have
Then. naturally. the whole Jackpot Il
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 girl like you
and make lady out OF her. thought
yesterday that maybe we might man
age 20 hitch along together fol
awhile, but I've got q different thinl
coming to-day. There's no use dis
figuring the truth. I'm a gambler
something Of fighter on the side, and
folks don't say anything too pleasing
about my peaceful disposition around
these settlements; haven't any home
and mighty few friends. and the few
have got are nothing to boast about
reckon there's q cause for II ell
SO. considering everything, I'm about
the poorest proposition ever was heard
OF to start a young iadles' seminary