The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-09-28
CAMEO
BY Booth
Harrington and
Harry Leon
Wilson
- COPYRIGHT. 1903. BY THE


satisfied that Kirby was alive and that
Justice had yer TO be meted out, young
Randall. as was the custom In such
matters. promptly set about informing
his male relatives and friends. Among
the latter was Judge Pleydell, a neigh
Dor. whose plantation adjoined on the
west that OF the Randalls and to whose
daughter. Ann, the boy was engaged.
Toms sole surviving relative was an
elderly cousin, Aaron Randall, who.
ignorant OF the details connected with
his uncle's death. had for over a year
been detained by business interests I'm
fhs north To him Tom now urgently
wrote. requesting that he come to the
home OF their mutual aunt In New Or
leans. and the following morning the
Pieydell and Randall families set out
fer the same destination. In the Cres-
cent City there resided another gentle
man. NJ. Anatole veaudry, who. hav-
ing for years sought an alliance with
the Randall family through the medi-
um of Adele. would naturally be ex-
pected TO concur heartily In the plans
Tor the humiliation Of Cameo Kirby.
-Four TO one were heavy odds, but the
scapegrace gambler In his day had
accepted greater.
In due time the Randalls and Pley-
dells arrived at the home Of Mime.
Davezsc. but the weeks passed and
N yet no information had been re-
ce1ved tending 20 show that Kirby con-
femplated securing the property. In
fact Tom Randall. securing the city
for the gambler. positively learned that
the latter and his partner. Bunce, had
eft This was indeed the case, for
Kirby's sole motive In coming to New
Orleans had been the desire to run
down a rumor TO the effect that Jack
Moreau had returned 10 his old haunts.
The rumor proved authentic, but the
colonel had already left for Baton
Rouge. from which town be again
headed for the Crescent City, Kirby
and Bunce close upon his heels.
And then the inevitable happened.
for one day In the streets Of New Or
leans Tom Randall came face to face
with horeau. On both sides the meet
ing was an affecting one. the astute
eoloners momentary alarm turning to
relief when. from the boys effusive
greeting. he ascertained the others
agreeable state Of ignorance regarding
the true facts OF John Randalps sui
eide. Tom at once confided his inten-
tion Of killing Cameo Kirby, and. de-
lighted at securing such unexpected re-
endorsements, Moreau heartily con.
CURED In the intention. Offering his
modest cooperation In the same worthy
cause. On his part the boy was only
too happy TO accept the further serv-
Ices OF so valuable a friend. and he
promptly invited Moreau to Nine.
Davezac's, an invitation that was az
promptly accepted, II being quite char.
seteristic OF the estimable gentleman
20 accept the hospitality OF those whom
ne had irretrievably wronged.
Learning from Moreau that Kirby
was In the city and, in fact. had been
seen only that morning at the Sale
de Conde. young Randall hurriedly re-.
turned TO his aunt's, determined TO set
on foot plan that had been suggested
oy Judge Pleydell That moldy vii
lain. Colonel Moreau. promised TO toin
the other the moment be had secured
his portmanteau.
Meanwhile Aaron Randall. an elder.
". precise gentleman. whose long So
tcurn In the north had served to some
what cool his fiery southern nature.
had promptly answered his cousins
urgent letter by shelving all business
demands and Fastening south. An old
bachelor. his late uncle and he had
peen unusually close TO each other
through life. and he had lavlshed all
his affection upon the others children.
Adele In particular being hts especial
favorite. Business care, ID prohib-
fted his attendance at Joan Randall's
funeral, and. In fact, he had been kept
I'm ignorance Of the facts surrounding
the others suicide. Adele holding that
IL would cause needless worry and sor-
row.
The unpleasant duty Of explaining
the tragedy devolved upon Judge Pley-
dell. and, even while Tom was renew
ing his acquaintance with Colonel Mo-
reau. Aaron had arrived at the little
house I'm the old French quarter OF the
town and Pleydell was recounting to
him their plan OF campaign against
Kirby.
I'VE have all our plans arranged.
cdr" the old Judge was now saying,
while he paced the room In some ex.
citement, and I have taken affairs
more or less into my own hands. Tom
would have hunted out the villain and
shot him on sight. but l venture to
think my way ls the best, for we must
recognize the honor due Mr.. Randalls
memory, and that means making no
resistance TO Mr.. Kirby's claim. The
a