The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-09-22
kIRBY
Adapted From
the Play of the Same
Name by w. B. N.
Ferguson
AlNsLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY

shuttle that settled it long ago"
II don't think, sir. that you've said
anything that concerns you and me
very much" she commented, glancing
up shyly.
Concerns you and me-" he echoed
sadly, and. rising, he began to pace
the room. Miss Randall, let me tell
you something" he added at length
halting and regarding her fixedly.
Zone evening toward sunset l was
leaning over the rail of Mississippi
river steamboat. and. not finding much
pleasure in what l was thinking about.
l put my hand casually into my peck
ct and drew out deck of playing
cards, cards that had been used-well,
considerably. l contemplated them
moment and then let them fall from
my hand. They dropped into the wa
ter in a kind of little shower And
then a curious thing happened. Those
shabby old playing cards tlOated along
side rosebusl all in bloom that some
body had evidently planted too near
caving back upstream. 1t seemed
as If they kind of hoped to go along
with it on its journey, but it didn't
look right. The rosebush was too
pretty for bad companions like that
And then, one by one those shabby
playing cards. lying on their backs in
the water, began to sink under and
drown. Then along came an eddy and
caught that pretty rosebush and swung
1t out into the current, and away it
went down the stream, happy and
proud in just Il glory of sunshine and
sparkle. 1t served those old playing
cards right. They ought to have been
drowned for trying to keep company
so high above them. That's what l
thought looking down from the boats
rail-"
Without conscious effort or any at
tempt at elocution Kirby had told the
little allegory with simple feeling and
sincerity. his manner growing more
distracted until at the conclusion it
seemed as if he were speaking to his
inner self, taking counsel with all that
was best in him. Silence ensued, while
Adele looked dreamily away, and he
continued to stare at the cards. but
seeing them not
"DOeS man always stop to think
whether he has right or not?' she
ventured at length. speaking so low
that he strained forward to catch the
words
Doesn't a woman always want him
tor he gravely returned.
"Ah. but there is something a wo-
man wants man to do more thai
that-she wants him not to give up
anything tili--he is beaten" she whis-
pered.
Suppose he is the kind Of man that
ought to be beaten?''
She arose. throwing the scarf about
her shoulders, and walked meditatively
to the door.
"Bnt mightn't it be perhaps-perhaps
with one woman" she whispered. "he
couldn't be beaten even them"
Astonished at her own daring, she
gave a little gasp. then incontinently
fed. while Kirby stood staring after
her, fearing to interpret her words. He
turned with Il start as Bunce strobe
through the balcony window.
wei, have you told her goodbye"
slapped Lark1n. who had interpreted
rte foregoing passage as a species Of
farewell.
NO." said Kirby violently. irritated
at the interruption.
"Weil. l reckon it's about time to
sit down and take good hard think"
warned the other. pacing the room like
an excited sentry. do you think you
could git this grip he continued, with
heavy sarcasm. How about 1t when
she finds out who you are-Cameo
Kirby?" .
Easy on that name, Larkinr'
EASY on the namev" beloved
Bunce, appealing to the ceiling. why,
it's been shriekin' through this house
ever since you got here. There's been
two fellers within ten feet OF you all
the time who never took their eyes
of'n you-that young Veaudry and
Aaron Randall. Do you reckon they
think you're Colonel Moreau? Why,
seen them leave the house a short spell
back, and I'D be willin' to bet my i'm
mortal soul they're ON to our makeups
and are plannin' to raise h. with us.
l tell you this place is gittin' too hot
for Larkin Bunce. You haven't said
goodby to her? Well, then, I'll say
goodby to you. Somebody's got to be
loose. wouldn't be no good to you
nor to me either-in Jail. For the last
time." he pleaded. making an implor-
ing gesture with his trembling hands.
"are you comm with me?"
Kirby, who had quietly resumed his
place at the table, now slowly shuffled
the deck and carefully inspected the
card that had turned up.
"No," he said, with grave finality,
I'm not going with you, my friend.
The hands dealt: I'll play it out"
For Gods sake. Gene"' implored
Bunce. Then got to quit you. You