“Show the gentleman up,” he said, shortly, and sat down to wait.

The Rev. Howard Wynkoop was neither giant nor dwarf, but the very fortunate possessor of a countenance which at once awakened confidence in his character.  He entered the room quietly, rather dreading this interview with one of Mr. Hampton’s well-known proclivities, yet in this case feeling abundantly fortified in the righteousness of his cause.  His brown eyes met the inquisitive gray ones frankly, and Hampton waved him silently toward a vacant chair.

“Our lines of labor in this vineyard being so entirely opposite,” the latter said, coldly, but with intended politeness, “the honor of your unexpected call quite overwhelms me.  I shall have to trouble you to speak somewhat softly in explanation of your present mission, so as not to disturb a young girl who chances to be sleeping in the room beyond.”

Wynkoop cleared his throat uneasily, his naturally pale cheeks flushed.

“It was principally upon her account I ventured to call,” he explained in sudden confidence.  “Might I see her?”

Hampton’s watchful eyes swept the others face suspiciously, and his hands clinched.

“Relative?” he asked gravely.

The preacher shook his head.

“Friend of the family, perhaps?”

“No, Mr. Hampton.  My purpose in coming here is perfectly proper, yet the request was not advanced as a right, but merely as a special privilege.”

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.