The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-08-18
CAMEO KIRBY
By Booth
Harrington and
Harry Leon
Wilson
= COPYRIGHT. 1908. By the

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And. with hand now STEADY ana
drn he wrote and signed the deed to
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
anu closest friend.
This accomplished. Mr.. Randall arose
unstradiIy aud walked to the door.
where he turned and for moment
surveyed the smoke foulrd room with
its litter of empty bottles. And if for
u moment a tieeting realization of the
very thorough manner in which he
had been victimiZed permeated his
thrubbing brain no hint of it was de-
pictexl In face or bearing
Good evening. gentlemen" he said
Rravely. land thank yoh for the obli-
gntion Good evening"" Head erect,
h. walked out and very softly closed
the door.
Kirby resumed his preoccupied atti-
tutie at the table. while Moreau. care
lessly lighting cheroot and pouring
oamse1f a drink. sprawled elegantly
over IN adjacent couch.
well. l calculate that's the easiest
mark that ever came our way" he
observed. with a laugh "Green as
the everlasting hills" quietly pocket
ing Mr.. Randall's wallet, delicate
maneuver which Kirby neglected to
70 &C.
time yoh and ever played together.
eh? Yoh're deuce of hand at the
cards. my boy-neyer saw yoh equal
befoh. take it. yoh partner. Mr..
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. sub. will be happy to make
our impromptu partnership perma-
nent."
Kirby swung slowly around and fix
eddy regarded his magnificent and
amiable companion. ''Since when
have you contemplated such an admi-
rable partnership he blandly in
quired.
ct'Ever since l first saw yoh play,
Kirby. Come; yoh partner. Bunce. is
erude-a blubber faced Yankee, with
no manners whatever, sub. But yoh
and l are gentlemen and would make
the best team on the river consider
our play tonight the biggest haul in
o decade. and promise yoh mob like
1t, fob 4 never go in fob picayune If
fairs My fingers are growing little
too stiff fob skillful manipulation, and
frankly own | haven't yoh delicate
and admirable finesse. But l 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 will oblige me. SIR" replied the
other. carefully lighting cheroot, ''by
employing the prefix to my name-if
ever in the future l am unfortunate
enough to have you address me- Per-
init me to inform you that you are
blank scoundrel. sir! cannot be too
emphatic concerning that statement.
whenever ! form II partnership with
you ! will be more qualified for a
front seat in hades than l am at the
resent moment. Why. you low, thiev-
ng swamp cat" he cried. losing all
self control. "hOw dare YOU think |
srmble like you-by getting unsuspect-
ng victims drunk and then robbing
hem? watched you outrageously
heat Mr. Randall and ply him with
liquor in order to cover your charac-
eristically clumsy manipulation of the
ards. and If stepped in tonight and
ftooped to emulate the type of game
which you solely play it was in order
o save your victim from complete and
ota ruin. 1t is unnecessary to say
nat when Mr. Randall is capable Of
Estimating what has occurred and is
snce more himself this deed will be
Osurned to him.
Now. Kirby. yoh can't play that
came on me-" cried Moreau, jumping
10 his feet. "Yoh come in on nv kill
nd then try to do me out of the spoils
NAT don't go. Kirby I'm too old
fand. Keep that line of talk for sap
leads. The Randall plantation is sold
tnder the hammer. and l get two
birds orr
"Or what?" coldly demanded Kirby,
srefnlly pocketing the deed. "You
now me, Mr.. Moreau. so don't try
pull derringer.. It's considerably
afer to wait until my back is turned
say Mr.. Randall himself will destroy
his deed and that his plantation will
lot be sold. and you may believe it
not. just as You like. That ten thou
and you virtually stole cannot. un-
prtunately. refund: but, believe me.
pat Is the entire extent of your steal
ags. For once in your life you are
Ding to release victim before he has
cen completely sucked dry; for once