The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-06

young intruder, whose lightning deft- ness was almost uncanny. Talking nonchalantly and brilliantly, he stack cision, fascinating in the extreme, even while the coloners watchful and sus- picious eyes never for moment re- faxed their vigil. Owing entirely to this marvellous and criminal skill MT. Jackson won on his own deal and, luck following him, won also on that of MT. Randall. As each and every one of the colonel's undertakings were highly estimable he naturally held the best hand when. for a moment, the cards were in his power, and it speaks eloquently for MT. Jackson's large charity of Judgment that he refrained from criticism even when acutely aware that the middle aged creole had rather clumsily garnered his third ace from the bottom of the deck. But as youth must be served, especially when possessor of such consummate skill as that owned by Mfr. Jackson, the latter handsomely won his fourth showdown with surprising ease, verve and dash.
 Well, that winds her," airily re- marked the colonel, arising and stretch ing his long arms. "One hundred thou sand ain't Such bad cleanup, I reck- on, but yoh always were lucky, yoh young scamp, and there's no playing against it. Yoh even topped my foh kings. I calculate the Randall luck finished a very poh last. How about yoh theory now, suh?"
 The planter did not reply, for, it is somewhat difficult for a but newly his condition. In silence he drew to- ward him the pen and ink, while for a long moment he stared at the white sheet of paper, upon which he was about to give title to all which he owned. He and his children were beg gars, total and complete. This was the turning of the tide, his royal home coming. For a moment he bowed his grizzled head; then, shutting his teeth seized the quill pen. For a Randall must show the world how it can lose. A Randall must be beaten at nothing even at playing the fool
 "Yoh name, suh?' he courteously in- Quired, turning to the young stranger who had proved so fortunate.
 Eugene Kirby, sir.''
 ''What?' exclaimed the planter in a dazed manner. 'T thought, suh'-
 "Oh, the colonel sometimes calls me MT. Jackson because he thinks I re- semble the general" lightly replied Cameo Kirby as, head between hands, he stared gravely at the table. Any one will tell you my name is Eugene Kirby-even the Texas tender knows it'
 "Ah, the General. I have a boy, suh, whom we aHectionately call by that name," replied MT. Randall irrelevant ly, staring at the ceiling. "I have three children, suh. There is Tom and Adele and the General. Their mother is dead, suh. And yoh say yoh name is Eugene Kirby. Very strange, suh. I know the Kirbys of Plaquemine, suh. No relation, suppose. But yoh pardon, suh."
 And. with hand now steady and
 
 the Randall plantation and, with bow, handed it to the gambler whose father he had befriended; the gambler whose reputation was said to be the worst on the river; the son of the man who had been his nearest neighbor and closest friend
 This accomplished, Mr. Randall arose unsteadily and walked to the door, where he turned and for moment surveyed the smoke fouled room with its litter of empty bottles. And if for a moment fieeting realization of the very thorough manner in which he had been yictimized permeated his throbbing brain no hint of it was de picted in face or bearing.
 Good evening. gentlemen" he said gravely. ''nnd thank yoh for the obli- gation. Good evening"" Head erect, he walked out and very softly closed the door,
 Kirby resumed his preoccupied atti- tude at the table, while Moreau, care lessly lighting cheroot and pouring himself drink, sprawled elegantly over an adjacent couch.
 "Well, calculate that's the easiest mark that ever came our way" he observed, with a laugh. Green as the everlasting hills," quietly pocket ing MT. Randall's wallet, delicate maneuver which Kirby neglectea to note "I calculate this is the first time yoh and I ever played together, eh? Yoh're a deuce of hand at the cards, my boy-never saw yoh equal befoh. I take it, yoh partner, MT. Larkin Bunce, is not with yoh this trip or yoh wouldn't have so uncere- moniously doubled up with me. Or perhaps yoh two have fallen out, eh? If so, suh, I will be happy to make our impromptu partnership perma- nent.''
 Kirby swung slowly around and fix edly regarded his magnificent and amiable companion. Since when have you contemplated such an admi- rable partnership?' he blandly in-