The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-09-24
CHAPTER XIV.


lXIl Bunce eventually found Kir-
}6SHS6J by. From the balcony win
v4sHeJ dow the fat veteran had wit
messed Adele's silent contempt, and
he now laid a sympathetic hand upon
his partners shoulder.
you see how you stand with her,
don't your he said quietly. II won't
say she amt fine enough woman to
make any man act the fool about her.
But, Gene, you've got to hold up your
head and git over 1t. It's too late for
you to start your life again, and you
can't drag her into 1t. Take one good
look at yourself, Gene Kirby. then take
another at her. But, say, she wouldn't
take you If you was an angel stepped
right out of the first front floor Of
heaven. What could you ever be to
her? Nothin' but u ID gambler.
seen the way she treated you.'
"That's because she doesn't know
what I'm going to do" replied Kirby,
striving to convince himself Look at
that paper"
Bunce examined the deed, then turn
ed Indignantly upon the signer thereof.
"I've seen you give some pore young
feller his money back after you'd won
1t. but I never knowed you to do 1t If
the feller slapped you in the face
first" he said witheringly. 'The girl
won't stay long enough In the same
room to wipe her shoes on you. Don't
that hurt you?'
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 despairng shrug.
"Now, I'll make her speak to you"
Kirby shook his head, his relaxed fig
ure stiffening 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-
by remained seated at the table alb
stractedly toying with the cards, utter
ly oblivious 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
Pleydell's plan was about TO be exc
cuted. He did not know that Nine
nayayao Mics DIavdaIl nn1 tho Gan.
eral were already In the carriage wait
ing to be conveyed to their neighbor's
plantation, waiting for the coming OF
Adele, who had been lnexplicably de
layed at the last minute-delayed by
Bunce, who was putting forth every
persuasive effort, pleading. coaxlng
threatening all In one breath. In des
perate attempt to bring her back t
the drawing room. to make her gran
farewell interview to his partner.
At length. In the midst of his brood
ings, sound from the window at
tracted his attention. and. listlessly
turning. he discerned young Randall
old Pleydel, Aaron and Nj. veaudry
all scrutlnizing him intently with |
look there was no mislnterpreting
They considered the ladies safely away
and the time had now come when
judicial murder might be perpetrated.
Before word had been exchange,
Kirby fathomed their purpose, but n
hint OF cognlzance was evinced In hi
manner. He arose leisurely and wit
the courtesy OF guest to host rathe
than with any intention of self d,
fense. alarm or even interest. An
for space and In silence the fou
men surveyed the one. Then youn
Randall spoke ominously and. for hin
with admirable restraint.