"Well, I have none, for I have
greater faith in the girl, and--perhaps in God. Good-night, Naida."
He bowed above the hand the girl gave him in the darkness, and ever
after she believed he bent lower, and pressed his lips upon it. The
next moment the black night had closed him out, and she stood there,
half frightened at she knew not what, on the threshold of her new life.
CHAPTER IX
AT THE OCCIDENTAL
Hampton slowly picked his way back through the darkness down the silent
road, his only guide those dim yellow lights flickering in the
distance. He walked soberly, his head bent slightly forward, absorbed
in thought. Suddenly he paused, and swore savagely, his disgust at the
situation bursting all bounds; yet when he arrived opposite the beam of
light streaming invitingly forth from the windows of the first saloon,
he was whistling softly, his head held erect, his cool eyes filled with
reckless daring.
It was Saturday night, and the mining town was already alive. The one
long, irregular street was jammed with constantly moving figures, the
numerous saloons ablaze, the pianos sounding noisily, the shuffling of
feet in the crowded dance-halls incessant.
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