The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-26
kIRBY
Adapted From
the Play Of the Same
Name by w. B. M.
Ferguson
ArNsLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY

cuted. He did not know that Mime.
Davezac. Miss Pleydell and the Gen
eral were already In the carriage wait
ing to be conveyed to their neighbours
plantation. waiting for the coming Of
Adele. who had been inexplicably de-
layed at the last minute-delayed by
Bunce, who was putting forth every
persuasive effort, pleading. coaxing.
threatening all In one breath. I'm a des-
perate attempt to bring her back to
the drawing room, to make her grant
q farewell interview to his partner.
At length. In the midst of his brood
ings. sound from the window at
tracted his attention. and, listlessly
turning. 20 discerned young Randall,
old Pleyjell. Aaron and NJ. Veaudry,
all scrutinizing him intently with a
look there was no misinterpreting.
They considered the ladies safely away,
and the time had now come when a
judicial murder might be perpetrated.
Before word had been exchanged
Kirby fathomed their purpose, but no
manner. He arose leisurely and with
the courtesy of guest to host rather
than with any intention of self de
tense. alarm or even interest. And
for space and In silence the four
men surveyed the one. Then young
Randall spoke ominously and. for him,
with admirable restraint.
"lt's pretty dark outside. Mr.. Kirby
too dark to shoot straight. Shall we
settle II here? We are going to give
you a chance, and you'd better get
yourself ready to take 1t blanked quick
unless you prefer to be shot like a
rat"
'If you leave II to me-" said Kirby
mildly. III prefer not to be shot at
all"
"Do you realize that in giving you
a fair show we do common gambler
an honor?" returned the boy. strug-
Cling hard against his passion. He re-
sented kirby's serene composure, for
against II he was placed at a humiliat-
ing disadvantage.
81 am deeply sensible of your kind
ness to one Of my profession observed
the common gambler" bowling with
courteous formality. "You seem to be
making quite elaborate preparations
gentlemen. but think you're putting
yourselves to unnecessary trouble. Mr.
Randall. you and your sister,
Don't you dare mention the name
OF any lady Of my family menaced
Tom.
"But that Is necessary, sir" suavely
murmured the other, because you and
your sister. Miss Adele Randall
"You wolfr' snarled the boy. and he
struck with all his strength
The alert and pacific NJ. veaudry
caught the descending arm. and before
the outraged and now thoroughly In.
censed boy, furious at Kirby's delib-
crate repetition of Miss Randalrs
name, could wrest himself free and
renew the attack Adele herself had
entered the room, followed bv the sue
cessful Bunce. Her presence instant.
ly prohibited further hostilities, and
young Randall sullenly turned away.
raging against her delayed departure
and unexpected intrusion. The self
satisfied and beaming glance cast upon
him by the portly veteran Bunce did
not improve his temper. although in
measure II afforded an explanation
OF Adele's presence.
IL have yielded TO this gentleman's
request" said the girl stonily, waving
an ironic and contemptuous hand to-
ward Bunce. while her eyes looked ac.
curately through the top Of Kirby's
bead. II grant your interview. What
Is 1t you wish to say? Kindly be as
explicit and terse as possible"
He handed her the slip Of paper
which before this he had sought to
offer.
Il fear your brother may be too eX.
cited To read it," he said indifferently.
She eyed 1t wonderingly. scanning
1t twice over and yet again before di-
gesting its brief contents. In silence
she handed IL 10 her brother. and he
after n long. incrcdulOus stare. ex.
claimed:
HE gives 1t back to buy his safety!
Read the date" commanded Kirby,
addressing the girl.
In the same mechanical manner she
obeyed. spelling ii out al If it were
written I'm some strange language with
which she was but vaguely familiar.
He wrote that the first day the doc
tors let him set up TO Il table after
Jack MOreau shot him." sharply ex.
planned Bunce. angered AT the reccp
tion accorded what be considered Il
sublime act of generosity, forbearancc
and asininity.
Slowly Adele raised her eyes from
the paper and looked steadily at the
common gambler" This was i'm re
morse-for my fathcr?" she whispered
NO Ii was said quite simply and
emotionlcsSly. as IL the question were
too absurd tn seriously consider He