The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-11-24
CAMEO KIRBY
By Booth
Harrington and
Harry Leon
Wilson
Il COPYRIGHT. 1909. BY THE

NO, 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
her head proudly. but pleading suppl
cation speaking strongly from her eyes.
You will set US straight. you will be
fair?"
For a 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
nv conduct is so purely professional
that it may he almost impossible 10
clear it up to the satisfaction OF 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
a gambler" said young Randall as
the other paused.
II 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 conferences certain prac-
tices. such as the intOXication of ol-
ponents and the elimination Of chance
in the fall of the cards, and this. we
feel, shows a lack Of foresight tending
to bring discreGit on the entire profes-
sion, which might in time drive its fol-
lowers from their legitimate field OF
industry. For that reason. when l
discovered the late Colonel Moreau in
a private staRroom Of the Shotwell
despoilipg 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 state
Of mental fog. Where Adele 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 blindly nourished his
hatred. Now he felt strangely bewil-
dered. self dtstrustful and unclean.
His credulity had been shattered with
his self respect. he flushed hotly at
the thought OF how implicitly and on
such meager evidence he had believed
the specious and totally unscrupulous
Moreau. how from such a tissue OF
falsehood he had carefully erected his
elaborate feu6. he had even stopped
to the unuttecably foul act Of swear
Ing q murder upon this man. who.
rather than being an enemy. had stood
his fathers sole friend. To him 1t was
difficult to relegate unto himself new
Viewpoint with the common gambler"
as an object for admiration rather
than vilifcaion. to disinter and trans
Ter the halo which Moreau had calmly
appropriated and taken with him to
ehe grave to this erstwhile master
rogue. this arch fend, titles for which
bis name Of Cameo Kirby had been
Synonym.
"You meant to protect my father?'
be faltered 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
kelf hatred. strove to verbally inter
bret his abject thoughts. to frame
ome sort Of fitting apology. IF you'll
end me a horse to get back to the
ity we'll call it square. I'm ready.
Iarkin."
He held out his hand. and young
Randall. flushing hotly. graSped 1t
rmly. then turned away and. sinking
INTO a chair buried his face in his
rms.
Adele, placing her hand on her broth
RS shoulder as if he were child,
aised him gently and escorted him
rom the room At the door she turn
d. looking steadily Mt Kirby.
"You waited for me this afternoon
vhen there was danger" she said
remulously. Wont YOU wait for me
ow, when there is none?'
CHAPTER Nv.