The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-26

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partner obediently following.
But once again Nj. Veaudry. sinking
his own interests in those Of justice.
stepped forward and detained his
sometime rival.
Make him speak. Tom he cried,
turning to young Randall. This min
iature OF your mother we found in
Colonel Moreau's pOrtmanteau." And
he handed the other the rec morocco
box.
"But--but my father lost it to you"
exclaimed the bewildrrod boy. turning
to Kirby
mo. not to me. Mr.. Randall" Again
that same patient. emotiOnless tone, to-
tally devoid of resentment or even in
terest.
tiff we've been in the wrong"
tremulously whispered Adele. raising
cation speaking strongly from her eyes.
''you will set us straight. you will be
fair?"
For long moment Kirby hesitated
then finally turned to the now eagerly
waiting boy.
"Mr. Randall" he said. with elabo-
rate irony. "the question involved in
my conduct Is so purely professional
that 1t may be almost impossible to
clear 1t up to the satisfaction of a lay
man. Mr.. Bunce. being one Of the
brethren, would comprehend me per-
fectly. but | shall have to point out
that in my profession there are sepa-
rate castles. both high and low. each
controlled by its own standards"
"You accuse Colonel Moreau Of being
gambler" said young Randall as
the other paused.
81 regretfully admit that he had
some claim to the title." replied Kirby,
with Intentional elegance Of manner,
"for the group to which the colonel
belonged countenances certain prac-
tees. such as the intoxication Of op-
pOnents and the elimination of chance
In the fall of the cards. and this. we
feel. shows lack OF foresight tending
to bring discredit on the entire profes-
sion. which might In time drive it's fol-
lowers from their legitimate field Of
industry. For that reason. when
discovered the late Colonel Moreau In
q private stateroom Of the Shotwell
despoiling gentleman who was-who
was not himself. took charge Of the
despoliation Of what remained, intend
ing to make restitution In the morning.
when the victim should be In better
condition"
Young Randall being one who cher
ished his hatreds and affections and
renounced them with difficulty. this
new and obviously accurate version Of
his fathers suicide left him in a state
Of mental fog. Where dele was only
too willing and eager TO believe, the
boy was loath. To the girl Kirby had
once appeared all that woman can
think Of man, but to her brother he
had ever been the personifcation Of
evil. Tom had blind!y nourished his
hatred. Now he felt strangely bewil-
dered. self dstrustful and unclean
His credulity had been shattered with
his self respect. He flushed hotly at
the thought or how implicitly and on
such meager evidence he had believed
the specious and totally unscrupulous
Moreau, how from such tissue OF
falsehood he had carefully erected his
elaborate feud. He had even stopped
to the unutteraby foul act Of swear
Ing murder upon this man, who.
rather than being an enemy, had stood
his fathers sole friend. To him Il was
difficult to relegate unto himself q new
viewpoint with the common gambler"
as an object for admiration rather
than vilitication. to disinter and trans
fer the halo which Moreau hau calmly
appropriated and taken with him TO
the grave to this erstwhile master
rogue, this arch fiend. titles for which
his name OK Cameo Kirby had been a
synonym.
"You meant to protect my father"
he fatered at length.
For the honor OF the profession"
said Kirby. That's all right. Mr..
Randall" he added gently as the boy.
utterly crushed and filed with bitter
self hatred. strove 10 verbally inter
pret his abject thoughts. TO frame
some sort of fitting apology IF you'll
lend me horse to get back to the
city well call it square. I'm ready.
Larkin."
He held ont his hand. and young
Randall, flushing hotly. grasped it
firmly. then turned away and. sinking
into chair. buried his face in his
arms.
Adele, placing her hand on her broth
er's shoulder as if he were child.
raised him gently and escorted him
from the room. At the door she turn
ed. looking steadily ut Kirby.
"YOu waited for me this afternoon
when there was danger" she said
tremulously. Wont you wait for me
now. when there Is nOne"