The Irish standard., 1910-12-24

mean to leave the only home we have
known
Il have thought of all that until
my brain is sick-sick like my heart"
she would interrupt colorlessly. II
have long contemplated the possibility;
thought that the deed might. after all.
be enforced. have talked the mat
ter over with Aunt Davezac. We have
decided that the moment we learn
| that this-this gambler is alive we
will put the place in order and leave
Immediately for New Orleans-again
quarter ourselves on aunty. After
that-well. you and must learn how
to work, Tom. We must provide for
the Generals schooling. and of course
we cannot be burden on Aunt Da-
! vezac one moment longer than is alb
solutely necessary. Above all, there
must on no account be any opposition
to this Mr.. Kirby's claim, supposing
he still lives"
| Eyes. 1 suppose you're right, Dele"
he would reluctantly agree, I'VE could
not dishonor fathers memory by re-
sisting the scoundrel's claim"
| And had sorrow not blurred the girls
perception, rendered her Indifferent to
| everything, she would instantly have
suspected her brothers righteousness,
for, hot headed and impulsive, he was
not one to heed advice, accept the pas
stve course that she had outlined.
AS the months passed and nothing
was heard of Kirby the possibility Of
his being alive and ever claiming the
plantation was finally abandoned by
Adele. But young Randall, although
still entertained the suspicion that his
enemy lived. In time the thought be-
! came so insstent that he determined to
| quietly set on foot a thorough investi-
1 CATION. Visiting in person the town in
which Kirby had fought his victorious
! battle against death, he eventually sue
ceeded in tracing the physician who
had attended the wounded gambler.
and by him the boys suspicious were
verified beyond the possibility of q
doubt His intuition was indicated.
Kirby lived and. SO far as the doctor
knew, was at that moment busily en-
gagged with his chosen profession.
| Young Randall returned home, care
fully concealing from his sister all hint
of his mission. The girl had but lately
expressed desire to visit their aunt in
New Orleans. for the plantation was
pregnant with memories and sorrows
that were fast growing unbearable.
Taking advantage of this opportune
/ desire and keeping his real purpose in
the background, Tom now suggested
that the house be temporarily closed
and the long contemplated visit paid.
Securing Adele's assent to this and
satisfied that Kirby was alive and that
| justice had yet to be melted 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, neigh
j 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
| SAOOAly NOuS4us iAAAOA NduOOls WI
ignorant of the details connected with
his uncle's death, had for over year
been detained by business interests in
the north. 10 him Tom now urgently
wrote, requesting that he come to the
home OF their mutual aunt in New Or
! Pleydell and Randall families set out
for the same destination. In the Cres-
cent City there resided another gentle
man, M. Anatole veaudry, who, hav-
ing for years sought an alliance with
the Randall family through the medi-
pected to concur heartily in the plans
for 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-
Davezac, but the weeks passed and
as yet no information had been re-
ceived tending to show that Kirby con-
templated securing the property. In
fact, Tom Randall, securing the city
for the gambler, positively learned that
the latter and his partner, Bunce, had
left 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 to his old haunts.
The rumor proved authentic, but the
colonel had already left for Baton
Rouge, from which town he 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 Moreau. On both sides the meet.
ing was an affecting one, the astllte
(! colonel's momentary alarm turning to
| relief when. from the boys ELUSIVE
greeting, he ascertained the others
agreeable state Of ignorance regarding
the true facts of John Randall's sui.
| IL,