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."
Hampton stirred uneasily in his chair.
"Shall I paint in exceedingly plain words the picture given me of you?"
There was no response, but the speaker moistened his lips and proceeded
firmly. "It was that of a professional gambler, utterly devoid of
mercy toward his victims; a reckless fighter, who shot to kill upon the
least provocation; a man without moral character, and from whom any
good action was impossible. That was what was said about you. Is the
tale true?"
Hampton laughed unpleasantly, his eyes grown hard and ugly.
"I presume it must be," he admitted, with a quick side glance toward
the closed door, "for the girl out yonder thought about the same. A
most excellent reputation to establish with only ten years of strict
attendance to business."
Wynkoop's grave face expressed his disapproval.
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