Bob Hampton of Placer

A moment Hampton hesitated; then he arose and quietly crossed the room,

holding open the door. Without a word being spoken the minister

followed, and stood beside him. For several minutes the eyes of both

men rested upon the girl's sleeping form and upturned face. Then

Wynkoop drew silently back, and Hampton closed the door noiselessly.

"Well," he said, inquiringly, "what does all this mean?"

The minister hesitated as if doubtful how best to explain the nature of

his rather embarrassing mission, his gaze upon the strong face of the

man fronting him so sternly.

"Let us sit down again," he said at last, "and I will try to make my

purpose sufficiently clear. I am not here to mince words, nor do I

believe you to be the kind of a man who would respect me if I did. I

may say something that will not sound pleasant, but 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 it 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 requirements of my sacred office."

The speaker paused, somewhat disconcerted 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 man to man."

Wynkoop stiffened perceptibly in his chair, his face paling somewhat,

but his eyes unwavering. Realizing the reckless nature before him, he

was one whom opposition merely inspired.

"I prefer to do so," he continued, more calmly. "It will render my

unpleasant task much easier, and yield us both a more direct road for

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 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 as a

representative of every evil I war against. We have never met before,

because there seemed to be nothing in common between us; because I had

been led to suppose you to be an entirely different man from what I now

believe you are."