Bob Hampton of Placer

y before them. The girl openly rebellious, the man extremely doubtful, with reluctant steps they approached that tall, homely yellow house-outwardly the most preten

re to peril, his features finely chiselled, with threads of gray hair beginning to show conspicuously about the temples. One would glance twice at him anywhere, for in chin, mouth, and eyes were plainly pictured the signs of strength, evidences that he had fought stern battles, and was no craven. For good or evil he might be trusted to act instantly, and, if need arose, to the very death. His attire of fashionably cut black cl

re was any shebang in this mud-hole of a town that kept any women's

o blame tough that woman won't say a civil word to us. You can

," he admitted, frankly. "But you might, at le

And so you're ashamed of me, are you?" she asked, her voice sharp but unsteady. "Ashamed to be seen walking with me? Darn it! I know you are! But I tell you, Mr. Bob Hampton, you won't be th

d recall very few of her sex, combining respectability and refinement, whom he had met during the past ten years. But he retained some memory of the husband as having been associated with a strenuous poker game at Placer, in which he also held a prominent place, and it would seem scarcely possible

g he had fought out his more serious battles in loneliness and silence. Now he had work to accomplish in the open; he was going to stay with the Kid-after that, q

d by her creed. Had the matter been left at that moment to his own decision, this glimpse of the house would have turned them both back, but the girl unhesitatingly pressed forward and turned defiantly in through the gateless opening. He followed in silence along the narrow foot-path bordered by weeds, and stood back while she stepped boldly up on the rude stone slab and rapped sharply against the warped and sagging doo

announced the girl, sullenl

to laugh outright; then the pleasant blue eyes har

'm sure," she said at last. "Why

he doorstep, her hair flapping

Mrs. Herndon, ain't you? Well, then, this is the place where I was sent; b

and Mrs. Herndon came

preac

whom Lieutenant Brant brought in the other day. Why d

s swift to perceive and respond to, yet she held back, her independence unshaken. With the q

spoken as I did. Some very strange callers come here. But you are truly welcome. I had

h the doorway together he followed, unasked. Once within the plainly furnished room, and with her arm about the gi

hand, his face shadowed, his

he-sort of fell to my care when none of her own people were left to look after her. I only came to show her the way,

easant. "I understood she was entirely alone and friendl

ugh half ashamed of

gh. I won't touch a penny of your money. I told Mr. Wynkoop that I shouldn't, but that I would ende

ister anticipated," he explained, quietly, his old ease of manner returning in face of such open opposition. "I greatly regret your evident prejudice, madam, and can only say that I have more confiden

onted him, yet somewhat hurt on seeing that the girl had not once lifted her downcast eyes to his face.

rcely, "I won't, Bob Hampton. I 'd

t eyes. "Oh, yes, you will, Kid," and his hand touched her roughened hair caressingly

want me to stick

apart-her life tending upward, his down. Yet there was but one decision possible. A life which is lonely and dissatisfied, a wasted life, never fully realizes how lonely, dissatisfied, and wasted it is until some new life, beautiful in young hope and possibility, comes into contact with i

different way, that here was a moment of important decisio

she questioned, plainly,

lifting his hat, and promptly re

stealing down her cheek. Only a short week ago she had utterly despised this man, now he had become truly more to her than any one else in the wide, wide world. She did not in the least comprehend the mystery; indeed, it was no mystery,