The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-08-04

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and W1thout breaking step he fred.
The drifting smoke parted in shreds
and streamed away. The startled
crows had ceased cawing, and or
somewhere a bIuejay ventered to tim
idly call its mare. Once more the cool
serenity had descended upon the duel
ing oaks. Kirby was still advancing.
but Colonel Moreau. giving a little
cough. hesitated a moment, then fell
prone. a small blue indentation disfg-
uring the purity OF his lofty forehead.
Cameo Kirby looked gravely down
upon the body Of his late enemy; then
as gravely he parted the trees and.
with bowed head. slowly threaded his
way toward the distant town.
Kirby had not long left the scene OF
conflict before Tom Randall, coming
from an almost Numerically opposite
direction. burst into the grove and
tripped headlong over the .ltfeless form
OF Colonel Moreau. Recovering him
SELF the boy stared In horrined amaze
ment at what he had never expected
to see. That God should have thus
defended the impious seemed impossi-
bic. AstOnishment quickly gave place
to q sense Of burning outrage, q bitter
ness, adherence and vtndictiveness
which i~mmeasurably overswept all
previous feelings OF treasured animosi-
ty and hatred. Now, Kirby must
atone not only for the suicide Of John
Randall. but for the death Of that
gentleman,s fancied protector and
champion,
Swayed by his present emotions,
baked Of revenge and thirsting for
some means of expressing it, young
Randall now stopped to an action
which dishonored his name, race and
country. In cooler moments he would
have repudiated an action which for
feited the respect Of all decent men.
But he was hostage to q tempestuous
and violent passion which counted not
the means to an end. Single handed
he might not hope to hunt down Kir-
by. but If he could enlist the assist
ance Of the authorities, make every
man the gamblers enemy, the latter's
capture would be assured.
With difficulty ~loosening Moreau's
fast ~stiffening fingers from their death
grip upon the pistol, young Randall
hastily concealed the weapon upon his
person and thus by a single movement
transformed what had been an honor
able and fair encounter into a seem
ingly deliberate and cold blooded muir
der. The fact that Moreau had used
the late John Randalrs weapon, leav'
ing his own It Nine. Davezac's, would
be but additional proof that Cameo
Kirby had shot down ar unarmed
man. But one living witness other
than Tom Randall had been present a
this exchange of weapons, and he
Aaron, would be expected to keep 81
lent. Revenge, may it ever be honor
able, but, honorable or dishonorable
revenge at all cOsts-such was thu
boys slogan.
He had hardly resumed possession
Of his fathers weapon and thus cas-
the stigma OF murder upon Kirby
when several men, attracted by the
! shots and whose rapid approach had
spurred the boy to instant action, camt
running into the grove. To them younS
Randall breathlessly recounted his yer
sion Of the tragedy. you see, the gen
tleman has no weapon" he concluded
pointing to Moreau's barren hands
"aThIs, therefore, is a deliberate and
: carefully planned murder. Like your
: selves, 1 was attracted by the shot"
'But there was two Of EN-, for
: counted" put In one OF the newcomers
1.-THE murderer evidently missed a
, his first fire." said Tom. My name
!. Randall of Plaquemine, so you ma.
accept by word that I found the gen
tleman as | have stated. This Is
: great and vfilainous outrage. I happe
!. to know the victim. a most estimabl
|. and honorable gentleman, who ha'
the misfortune to incur the enmity O
!, the notorious river gambler Came
Kirby. The latter swore to get ever
and there is no doubt he has futile
his murdGrous and cowardly inter
. ton"
, G seen this. Kirby In town yesteI
day. commented one Of the men. e1
aminine with morbid curiosity M
reau's death wound. Hes a bad eg
from all accounts. Done his job nea
Shot from ambush. / reckon"
1--WE passed him on the road az "
come into the grove" added a secon'
n "I know him by stght-a youngil
looking, gray eyed blade with a sort I
r. dandy getup to him. We asked nj
IL there had been a dooel, and he ga
yes, he thought so"-
nj "He lies, ID you can see! cried Tor
epring1ng to his feet. 'FWhat road d
o. he take7"
% ~He come from that away" inte
rupted the informant, pointing u q
le direction Kirby had taken. But "
No all know the road forks fartherdown
.. "Come! Well separate, and ne @
not escaper' cried Tom. IT'S o.
"a duty to hunt the villain down. to a
"a the law all we can. Dueling Is o.
n thing. but murder such as TINS Q