The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-09-22
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N9 d. he fat veteran had wit
S"ssed Ade4e@ silent contempt, and
- now laid q sympathetic hand upon
his partners shoulder.
won see how you stand with her,
Aon,t vouY' he said quietly. II won't
~ she amt a fne enough woman to
ST. any man act the fool about her.
put Gene, you've got to hold up your
.ood and git over It. It's too late for
uou to start your life again. and you
80 drag her into 1t. Take one good
,oot at yourself. Gene Kirby. then take
mother at her. But. say. she wouldn't
take you Il you was an angel stepped
riobt out Of the first front door Of
sesven, What could you ever be to
sorq Nothin' but a ID gambler.
: seen the way she treated you.
sarbat's because. she doesn't know
THAT I'm going to do" replied Kirby
striving to convince himself. Look at
that paper"
Runce examined the deed, then turn
Cd Indignantly upon the signer thereof.
"I,ye seen you give some pore young
.ar,er his money back after you'd won
II hut / never knowed you to do it If
tbe Teller slapped you In the face
Arst," he said witheringly. THE girl
cont stay long enough in the same
room to wipe her shoes on you. Don't
that hurt your
at won't hurt SO much after this"
replied Kirby. indicating the paper.
"When the fool maker made you /
reckon he quit work. He knowed he'd
reached his high water mark" COM
mented Bunce, with q despairing shrug.
oNow, I'll make her speak to YOU"
Kirby shook his head, his relaxed fig
IRE stifening with sudden resolution.
mo" he said quietly. You and I'll
get out of here. / won't see Miss Ran
dali again."
But the other, giving no heed to the
words. quietly left the room. while Kir-
b7 remained seated at the table alb
stractedly toying with the cards. utter
" Obvious to surroundings. His fleet
ing resolution had already vanished.
His grip on the present had relaxed.
He felt singularly hopeless, heartsick
and utterly alone.
He did not know-nor, knowing.
would greatly have cared-that Judge
PleydelIs plan was about to be exc
cuted. He did not know that Nine,
Davezac, Miss Pleydell and the Gen
eral we're already in the carriage walt
ing to be conveyed to their neighbor's
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. In a des-
perate attempt to bring her back TO
the drawing room. to make her grant
a farewell interview to his partner.
At length. in the midst of his brood
ings, a sound from the window at
tracted his attention, and, IistleSsly
turning, he discerned young Randall,
old Pleydell. Aaron and n. Veaudry,
all scrutinizing him inteatly with a
look there was no misinterpreting.
They considered the ladies safely away,
and the time had now come when q
judicial murder might be perpetrated.
Before a word had been exchanged
Kirby fathomed their purpose. but no
hint Of cogniZance was eyineed in his
manner. He aroSe %leisurely and with
the courtesy or guest TO host rather
than with any intention Of self de-
tense, alarm or even interest. And
for a space and in silence the four
men surveyed the one. Then young
Randall spoke ominously and. for him.
with admirable restraint.
its pretty dark outside. Mr.. Kirby
too dark to shoot straight, Shall we
settle it here? We are going TO give
you a chance, and you'd better get
yourself ready to take il BANKED quick
unless you prefer to be shot like a
rat
If you leave it to me-" said Kirby
mildly. 81 prefer not to be shot at
all"
DO you realize that In giving you
a fair show we do a common gambler
an honor?' returned the boy. strug-
Cling hard against his passion. he
sented Kirby's serene composure, for
against it he was placed at a huniliat-
ing disadvantage.
Il am deeply sensible OF your kind
ness to one OF my profession" observed
the common gambler" bowling with
courteous formahty. "You seem to be
making quite elaborate preparations,
gentlemen, but I think you're putting
yourselves to unnecessary trouble. Mr.
randall, you and your sister,
Don't you dare mentian the name
Of any lady of my family" menaced
Tom.
But that is necessary, SIR" suavelg
murmured the other, because you and
your sister. Miss Adele Randall
You wolftf' snarled the boy, and he
suuck with all his strength.
The alert and pacific NJ. veaudry
caught the descending ARM, and before
the outraged and now thoroughly In
eensed boy, furious at Kirby's DELHI
crate repetition OF Miss Randa1l'S
name' cou&d wrest himself free tand
renew the attack Adele herself had