Bob Hampton of Placer

ld scarcely appeal as a desirable place for long-continued residence. But such a one

e. However, these deficiencies were to be discovered only after entering. Without, the Miners' Home put up a good front,-which along the border is considered the chief matter of importance,-and was in reality the most pretentious structure gracing the single cluttered street of Glencaid. Indeed, it was pointed at with much civic pride by those citizens never compelled to exist within its yawning walls, and, with its ornament of a wide commodious porch, appeared even palatial in comparison with the log stable upon its left flank, or the dingy tent whose worm-eaten canvas flapped dejectedly upon the rig

nd having on previous occasions established his reputation as a spender, experienced little difficulty now in procuring promptly the very best accommodation which the house afforded.

e hallway, and addressing his remarks to Mrs. Guffy, who had glanced into the room to be again assured regarding his comfort, and

e, an' Oi've tended ter the loikes of them sort er fellers afore. There'll be no more bother this toime. Besides, it's a paceful house Oi'm runnin', a

h stood ajar, and blew a thick cloud of smoke into the air, his eyes con

over at the Occidental?"

th renewed anxiety. "But sure now, Bob, ye mustn't think of playin' yi

and she hung about, flapp

wid the young gyurl?" she questio

hat else would you expect of one possessing my kindly disposition and well-known motives of philanthropy? Can it be that I have resided with you, off and on, for ten years past without your ever realizing the fond yearnings of my hear

disbelief. "They tell me she 's old

dden gleam of anger darkening

uth. It wus thim sojers what brought ye in thet tould most ov it, but the lieutenant,-Brant of the Sev

is face again haggard and gray, all the slight gle

didn't ye

ce was strange. I didn't know. The name, when you just spoke it, struck me rather queer

de no response, and she passed out silently, leaving him staring mood

d within range of the watcher's vision except a vagrant dog; the heat haze hung along the near-by slopes, while a little spiral of dust rose lazily from the deserted road. But Hampton had no eyes for this dreary prospect; with contracted brows he was viewing again that which he had confidently believed to have been buried long ago. Finally, he stepped quickly across the little room, and, standing quietly within the open

The lowering sun was pouring a perfect flood of gold across the rag carpet, but he remained utterly uncon

y, and barely glancing up. "Well,

is usually happy guest in his present

," she announced, short

for play to-night; go

i jist cud n't sind the loikes of him away. It's 'Missus Guffy, me dear madam, wud ye be koind enough to convey me complimints to Misth

had these rooms?" and Hampton r

her voice to an alm

ssively, dwelling upon the name. "The Reverend Howard Wy

ly a minute in an amazement too profound for fit expres

p," he said, shortly,

er. He entered the room quietly, rather dreading this interview with one of Mr. Hampton's well-known proclivities, yet in this case feeling abundantly

ss, "the honor of your unexpected call quite overwhelms me. I shall have to trouble you to speak somewhat softly in e

oat uneasily, his natur

I ventured to call," he explained in

pt the others face suspicio

?" he ask

her shook

the famil

erfectly proper, yet the request was not advance

ing spoken the minister followed, and stood beside him. For several minutes the eyes of both men rested upon the

nquiringly, "what

n the nature of his rather embarrassing mission, his gaz

t 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 on

concerted perhaps by the hardeni

ly let the preacher part slide, and say

somewhat, but his eyes unwavering. Realizing the reckless na

re pointed out to me as a most dangerous man, and ever since then I have constantly been regaled by the stories of your exploits. I have known you merely through such unfriendly reports, and came here strongly prejudiced against you

red uneasily

dingly plain words the

utterly devoid of mercy toward his victims; a reckless fighter, who shot to kill upon the least provocation; a man wit

leasantly, his eyes

sed door, "for the girl out yonder thought about the same. A most excellent

face expressed

to romance. You may deceive others by an assumption of recklessness, but I feel convinced your true nature is not evil. It has been warped through some cause which is none of my business. Let us deal alone with facts. You are a gambler, a professional gambler, with all that that implies; your life is, of necessity, passed among the most vicious and

es," acknowledged the other with affected carelessness. "But thus far you have failed to tell me anyt

, associating only with the most despicable and vicious characters, and leading so uncertain and

een his teeth. Twice he started to speak, but literally choked back the bitter words burning his lips

d that girl from death, or worse; I plucked her from the very mouth of hell; I like her; she 's got sand; so far as I know there is not a single soul for her to turn to for help in

g from those stern gray eyes. But now he paused, and, for the only time on record, d

ly realizing his own words

charges of war. His hand swept instinctively backward, closing upon the butt of a revolver beneath his coat, and for one second he who had dared such utterance looked on

dy from so sudden a reaction. "Perhap

fighters meeting for the first time within the ring, and taking mental stock before beginning their p

as to that fact, although no one before has ever ventured to state

ongue, forgetting himself when his thoug

le one, and your loyalty to her interests since is worthy of all Christian praise. But I believe I have a right to ask, what do you intend for the future? Keep her with you? Drag her about from camp to camp? Educate her among the contaminating poison of gambling-holes and dance-halls? Is her home hereafter to be the saloon and the rough frontier hotel? her ideal of manhood the q

hts now becoming dimly visible in the saloon opposite. For a considerable ti

tion?" The question was quietly asked, but a sligh

t, you confide this girl into

any such

an lady, beyond doubt the most proper person to assume such a charge in this camp. There is very little in such a place as this to interest a

said, somewhat gruffly. "It may be this means a good deal more to me than you suppose, parson, but I 'm bound t

ally, and the firm grasp of the

d, as though still in wonder at himself. "Never remember being quite so cons

ble, but Hampton remained standing in the open doo

owly to himself. "And maybe, after all,