The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-09-22

ever practiced Well. let him make
good his claim II he can"
"But who will dispute itT" Adele
would lifelessly inquire. plucking at
her black dress, while twin patches Of
scarlet would begin to burn in the
dead white Of her face. DO you think
we could stoop to ask mercy from
man of that stamp? Whether the
deed was gained honestly or not. 1t
does not matter Fathers signature
is on the paper. and We must stand
by ii. Tom. You know that. Any
way" she would finish drearily. what
does It matter? What does 1t matter
where we 60. what we become: Let
this Mr.. kirby-if that be his name
finish the work be began so we'll"
IL wish you could pluck up
little more spirit. Dele" he would re-
turn. soicitous and resentful In the
one breath. Doesn't the thought OF
that scoundrers possible recovery
make your blood boil? Don't you ever
consider the thought Of you and the
General and me being rendered abso-
lutte paupers? Think Of what 1t would
mean to leave the only home we have
known
IL have thought Of all that until
my brain is sick-sick like my heart
she would interrupt coorlessly. Il
have long contemplated the possibility;
thought that the deed might. after all.
be enforced. have talked the mat
ter over with Aunt Davezac. We have
decided that the moment we learn
that this-this gambler Is alive we
will put the place in order and leave
Immediately for New Orleans-again
quarter ourselves on aunty. AFTER
that-wen. you and | must learn how
to work. Tom. We must provide for
the Generals schooling. and OF course
we cannot be burden on Aunt Da-
vezac one moment longer than Is abb
solutely necessary. Above all. there
must on no account he any opposition
to this Mr.. Kirby's claim. supposing
he still lives"
Yes. suppose you're right. Dele"
he would reluctantly agree. I'VE could
not dishonor fathers memory by re-
sisting the scoundrel's claim"
And had sorrow not blurred the girls
perception. rendered her indifferent TO
everything. she would instantly have
suspected her brothers ingenuousness.
for, hot headed and impulSive. be was
not one to heed advice. accept the pas
sive course that she had outlined.
AS the months passed and nothing
was heard OF Kirby the possibility or
his being alive aud ever claiming the
plantation was finally abandoned by
Adele. But young Randall. although
carefully prnfeSsin: to the contrary.
still entertained the suspicion that his
enemy lived In time the thought De-
came so inSiStent that he determined to
quietly set on foot n thorough investi-
cation. Visiting in person the town IN
which Kirby had fought his victorious
battle against death. he eventually sue
ceeded IN tracing the physician who
had attended the wounded gambler.
and by him the boys suspicious were
verified beyond the possibility OF a
doubt. His intuition was vindicated.
Kirby lived and. so far as the doctor
knew, was at that moment busily en-
gagged with his chosen profession.
Young Randall returned home. care
fully concealinS from his sister all hint
Of bis mission. The girl had but lately
expressed a desire TO visit their aunt in
New Orleans. for the plantation was
pregnant with memories and sorrows
that were fast growing unbearable.
Taking advantage OF this oppnrtune
desire and keeping his real purpose in
the background. Tom now suggested
that the house be temporarily closed
md the long contemplated visit paid.
Securing AdeleS assent TO this and
satisfied that Kirby was alive and that
justice had yet to be meted out. young
Randall, as was the custom in such
matters, promptly set about informing
his male relatives and friends. Among
the latter was Judge Pleydell. neigh
boz, whose plantation adjoined on the
west that Of the Randalls and to whose
daughter. Ann, the boy was engaged.
Toms sole surviving relative was an
elderly cousin. Aaron Randall. who,
ignorant Of the details connected with
his uncle's death. had for over year
been detained by business interests In
the north. 10 him Tom now urgently
wrote. requesting that he come to the
home Of their mutual aunt in New Or
leans. and the following morning the
Pleydell aud Randall families set out
for the same destination. In the CreS-
cent city there resided another gentle
man. VI. Anatole Veaudry. who. hav-
ing for years sought IN alliance with
the Randall. fanny through the medl-
um OF Adele. would naturally be ex-
pectpd 10 concur Ernrtily in the plans
for the anuihia!iGm Of Cameo Kirby.
Four TO one were heavy odds. but the
scappgra,rp .ariblrr in his day bad
accepted greater.
I'm due time thp RandailS and Pley-
,,, h., nf Nma