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Hampton sat up, spurred into instant adood-looking, Kid, when you get hot, but you

go at things half-cocked, and you 've got to get over it That's the

whole trouble--you 've never been trained, and I would n'tfilly like you Ever rehty little; reckon she must have died when I was about five years

old That's her picture"

Hampton took in his hand the old-fashioned locket she held out toward

hi chain still clasped about her throat, and pried open the

stiff catch with his knife blade She bent down to fasten her loosened

shoe, and when her eyes were uplifted again his gaze was riveted upon

the face in the picture

"Mighty pretty, wasn't she?" 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 re to tuck ht Someway that's

how I always seem to see her"

The man drew a deep breath, and snapped shut the locket, yet still

retained it in his hand "Is--is she dead?" he questioned, and his