The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-08

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 "suPPos1Na THAT sCoUNDREL INTENDS REAPISG THE REWARD OF HIS CRIME!" consider the thought of you and the General and me being rendered abso- late paupers? Think of what 1t would mean to leave the only home we have known"-
 "I have thought of all that until my brain is sick--sick like my heart," she would interrupt colorlessly. Il have long contemplated the possibility; thought that the deed might, after all, be enforced. l Owe 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-well. you and I must learn how to work. Tom. We must provide for the Generals schooling. and of course we cannot be a burden on Aunt Da- vezac one moment longer than is ab solutely necessary. Above all, there must on no account be any opposition to this MT. Kirby's claim. supposing he still lives"
 "Yes, suppose you're right, Dele" he would reluctantly agree. We could not dishonor fathers memory by re ststing 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, he 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 of his being alive and ever. claiming the plantation was finally abandoned by Adele But young Randall, although carefully professing to the contrary, still entertained the suspicion that his enemy lived. In time the thought be- came so insistent that he determined to quietly set on foot a thorough investi- gation. 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 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 concealing from his sister all hint of his mission. The girl had but lately expressed 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 opportune desire and keeping his real purpose in the back ground, Tom now suggested that the house be temporarily closed and the long contemplated visit paid.
 Securing Adele's 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. a neigh Dor, 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. To 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 and Randall families set out for the same destination. In the Cres- cent City there, resided another gentle man, NJ. Anatole Veaudry. who, -hav- ing for years sought an alliance with the Randall family through the medi- um of Adele. would naturally be ex- pected to concur heartily in the plans for the annihllation of Cameo Kirby. Four to one were heavy odds, but the scapegrace gambler in his day had accepted greater.
 In due time the Randalls and Piey- dells arrived at the home of Mme Davezac. but the weeks passed and as yet no information had been re ceived tending to show that Kirby con templated securing the property. In fact, Tom Randall. securing the city for the gambler, positively learned that the latter and his partner, Bunce, had left This was indeed the case, for Kirby's sole motive in coming to New Orleans had been the desire to run down a rumor to the effect that Jack Moreau had returned to his old haunts. The rumor proved authentic, but the colonel had already left for Baton Rouge, from which town he again headed for the Crescent City, Kirby and Bunce close upon his heels.
 Gro be continued.)