The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-09-29

dStcs'U ItUIitR.
That will do. Larkin." said Kirby
sharply. There's nothing more to be
said. We're through here"
Despite Adele's earnest request to
remain and the plea that she had the
right to know the meaning Of this
strange contradiction of evidence. he
resOiutely turned TO leave the room, his
partner ohediently 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 pOrtmanteuu." And
he handed the other the red morocco
box.
"Eut but my father lost it to you.'
exclaimed the bewildered boy, turning
TO Kirby.
no. not to me. MIR. Randall" Again
that same patient. rmotionlesS tone. to
tally devoid of resentment or even in
tereSt.
X,
tremulousiy 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 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 it may be almost impossible to
clear ii UP to the satisfaction of a lay
man. Mr.. Ruuce. 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 it's own standards.
You accuse Colonel Moreau Of being
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 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 a lack of foresight tending
to bring discredit ON the entire profess
sion. which might in time drive it's fol-
lowers from their legitimate field of
industry. For that reason. when l
discovered the late Colonel Moreau in
a private stateroom of the Shotwell
despoiling gentleman who was-who
was not himself. l took charge of the
despolation 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
renowned them with difficulty. this
new and obviously accurate version of
his fathers suicide left him in a 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 ne
had ever been the personification Of
evil. Tom had blindly nourished Ills
hatred. Now he felt strangely Devil
dered. self distrustfu and unclean
His credulity had been shattered with
ais self respect. He flushed holly at
the thought of how implicitly and on
such meager evidence he had believed
the specious and totally INSCRIPTIONS
Moreau. how from such tissue Of
falsehood he had carefully erected his
elaborate feud. He had even stopped
to the unutterably foul act Of swear
ing murder upon this man. who,
rather than being an enemy, had stood
his fathers sole friend. 10 him 1t was
difficult to relegate unto himself new
viewpoint with the common gambler
as an object for admiration rather
than vilificatiOn. to disinter and trans.
fer the halo which Moreau had calmly
appropriated and taken with him to
the grave to this erstwhile master
rogue. this arch fiend titles for which
his name of Cameo Kirby had been a
synonym.
"You meant TO protect my father?"
ne faItcred Mt length.
"FOr the honor Of the profession"
said Kirby. That's all right. Mr..
Randall" he added gently as the boy,
utterly crushed and filled with bitter
self hatred, strove to verbally inter-
pref his abject thoughts. to frame
some sort of fitting apology. III you'll
lend me horse to get back to the
city We'll call it square. I'm ready.
Larkin."
He held out his hand. and young
Randall flushing holly. grasped it |
firmly. then turned away and. sinking
into u chair. buried his face in his
arms.
Adele. placing her hand on her broth |
er's shoulder as II he were child.
raised him gently and escorted him |
from the room. At the door she turn |
ed. looking steadily mt Kirby.