The Whitefish pilot. [volume] (Whitefish, Mont.) 1904-current, 1910-09-29

won't stay long enough in the same
room to wipe her shoes on YOU. Don't
that hurt you?"
1T 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 Runce. with a despairing shrug
Nov, I'll make her speak to YOU"
Kirby shook his head, his relaxed fig.
ure stiffening with sudden resolution.
NO" 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 abb
stractedly toying with the cards. utter
~ oblivious to surroundings. His feet
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
P1eydelPs plan was about to be exc
cuted. He did not know that Nine.
DaveZac. Miss Pleydell and the Gen
eral were already in the carriage wait
ing to be conveyed to their neighbours
plantation, waiting for the coming of
Adele. who had been inexplicably de-
layed at the last minute-delayed by
Bunce, who was putting forth every
persuasive effort, pleading, coaxing,
threatening all in one breath, in IL des-
perate attempt to bring her back to
the drawing room. to make her grant
a farewell interview to his partner.
AT length. in the midst of his brood
ings, a sound from the window at
tracted his attention. and, listlessly
turning. he discerned young Randall,
old Pleydell. Aaron and Nj. Veaudry,
all scrutinizing him intently with a
look there was no misinterpreting.
They considered the ladies safely away,
and the time had now come when a
judicial murder might be perpetrated.
Before word had been exchanged
Kirby fathomed their purpose, but no
hint of cogniZance was evinced in his
manner. He arose leisurely and with
the courtesy of guest to host rather
than with any intention Of self de-
tense, alarm or even interest. And
for space and in silence the four
men surveyed the one. Then young
Randall spoke ominously and, for him,
with admirable restraint.
Its pretty dark outside. Mr.. Kirby
too dark to shoot straight. Shall we
settle it here? We are going to give
you chance, and you'd better get
yourself ready to take it BANKED quick
unless you prefer to be shot like a
rat"
IF you leave it to me-" said Kirby
mildly. II prefer not to be shot at
ALL"
do you realize that in giving you
a fair show we do common gambler
an honor:" returned the boy. strug-
CLING hard against his passion. He re-
scented Kirby's serene composure, for
against it he was placed ut humiliat-
ing disadvantages. II
II am deeply sensible of your kind
ness to,one of my profession" observed
the common gambler" bowling with
courteous formality. "You seem to be
making quite elaborate preparations.
gentlemen. but | think you're putting
yourselves to unnecessary trouble. Mr..
Randall. YOU and your sister
Don't you dare mention The name
Of any lady of my family" menaced
Tom.
but that is necessary, SIR" suave:y
murmured the other. because you and
your sister. Miss Adele Randall
"You wolff" snarled the boy. and he
struck with all his strength.
The alert and pacific Nj. Veaudry
caught the descending arm. and before
the outraged and now thoroughly in
censed boy, furious at kirby's DELHI
crate repetition Of Miss Randalrs
name, could wrest himself free and
renew the attack Adele herself had
entered the room. followed by the sue
cessful Bunce. Her presence instant
ly prohibited further hostilities, and
young Randall sullenly turned away.
raging against her delayed departure
and unexpected intrusion. The self
satisfied and beaming glance cast upon
him by the portly veteran Bunce did
not improve his temper although in
measure it afforded an explanation
of Adele's presence.
Il have yielded to this gentleman's
request" said the girl stonily. waving
al ironic and contemptuous hand to-
ward Bunce. while her eyes looked ac-
curately through the top of Kirby's
head. Il grant your interview. What
is it you wish to say? Kindly be as
explicit and terse as possible
He handed her the slip Of paper
which before this he had sought to
offer.
II fear your brother may be too ex-
cited to read it," he said indifferently.
She eyed 1t wonderingly. scanning
It twice over and yet again before d.