Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-07-16

best hand when. for a moment the
cards were in his power. and IL speaks
eloquentiy for Mr.. Jackson's large
charity OF judgment that he RETAINED
from criticism even when ecutely
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 skin az
that owned by Mr.. Jackson. the latter
handsomely won his fourth showdown
with surprising ease. verve and dash.
We'll, that winds her." airily re-
marked the colonel, arising and stretch
Ing his long arms. "One hundred thou
sand amt such a bad cleanup. l reck-
on. but yoh always were lucky, yoh
young scamp. and there's no playing
against it. YOh even topped my foh
kings / calculate the Randall luck
finished very pOh last How about
yoh theory now, suh?'
The planter did not reply. for Il IS
somewhat difficult for a but newly
ruined man TO sense the full humor OF
hls 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
CARS. total and complete. This was
the turning of the tide. his royal home
coming. For moment he bowed his
grizzled head; then. shutting his teeth
against all thoughts Of the future.
seized the quill pen. For a Randall
must show the world how il can lose.
Randall must be beaten at nothing
even at playing the fool
"YOh name. suhr' he courteOusly in
CURED. turning 10 the young stranger
who bad proved so fortunate.
Eugene Kirby. sir"
WHAT" exclaimed the planter in a
dazed manner. Il thought. sub
"Oh. the colonel sometimes calls me
Mr.. Jackson because he thinks / re-
semble the general" lightly replied
Cameo Kirby as. head between hands,
be stared gravely at the table ANY
one will tell you my name is Eugene
kirby-even the Texas tender knows
it."
All. the General have a boy. sub.
whom we anectiouately call by that
name" replied Mr.. Randall irrelevant
ly. staring at the ceiling. Il have
three children. sub. There IS Tom and
Adele and the General Their mother
is dead. sub. And yoh say yoh name
is Eugene Kirby. Very strange. sub.
1 know the Hirbys OF Plaquemine.
sub. No relation. ! suppose. But yoh
pardon, sub"
And, with hand now steady and
firm. be wrote and signed the deed TO
the Randall plantation and. with
bow. handed IL 20 the gambler whose
father he had befriended: the gambler
whose reputation was said 20 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 be turned and for moment
surveyed the smoke fouled room with
It's litter OF empty bottles. And II for
a moment dieting realization or the
very thorough manner I'm which he
had been victimized pcrmeated his
throbbiug brain no hint OF IL was de-
Dicted in face or bearing
Good evening gentlemen he said
gravely. land thank yoh for the obli-
CATION. 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 a cheroot aud pouring
himself a drink, sprawled elegantly
over an adjacent couch.
Well 1 calculate that's the easiest
mark that ever came our way" he
observed, with n laugh. Green as
the everlasting hills" quietly pocket
ing Mr.. Randalrs wallet. n delicate
vancouver which Kirby neglected to
note. Il calculate this is the first
time yoh and ] ever played together
Ell? You're deuce OF a hand at the
cards. my boy-never saw yoh equal
befoh. i take it. yoh partner. Mr.
Larkin Bunce. is not with yoh this
trip or yoh wouldn't have so uncere-
moni0usly doubled up with me. or
perhaps yOh two have fallen out, Ell?
II so. sub, ! will be happy to make
our imprompu 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 blandIy in
quired.
Ever since / first saw yoh play,
Kirby. Come; yoh partner. Bunce, is
crude-a blubber faced Yankee. with
no manners whatever, sub. But yoh
and / are gentlemen and would make
the best team ON the river. / consider
our play tonight the biggest haul in
a decade. and promise yoh moh like
IL, fob l never so I'm fob picayune az
fairs. My fingers are growing a little
too stin foh skiIlful manipulation, and
/ frankly own ! haven't yoh delicate
and admirable huesSe. But have the
manner, Kirby. and can rope the cat
tie for yoh to brand. sub. I'll guar
antee yoh the biggest game on the
river"
You viii Oblire me sir~ renlied tho