The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-08-04

"Yoh must learn to control yourself
sir" interposed the judge, somewha
testify, irritated at the boys mad out
bursts Il think You can safely leav,
the honor Of the family In the matur,
and capable hands Of your cousin. You
have misinterpreted my words" BIZ
added. ignoring the Others shrug Al
the mention Of Aaron's supposed abil
tiles, "for Anatole Is quite right. Mr.
Kirby evidently has one virtue-ht
knows his limits--and your sister Ii
not one TO be impressed by such q
character even II masqucrading under
such an honorable name as Colonel
Moreau. To return to the real theme
is 1t agreed. then. that we adhere to
our origina! planf"
As Tom sulkily refused to speak,
Aaron asked gravely: 'lou mean that
the ladies' go to your plantation, Judge
Pleydell. while we remain for the os.
tensible purpose of formally handing
over the estate toto that MANI The
ladies are to be kept in ignorance Of
our real purposes''
I'D shoot him and be done with It."
smiled young Randall. Hell slip
through your fingers again-see II he
doesn't"
.Yes. the ladies' are to be kept in
entire ignorance agreed Pleydell, ig-
noring the boys observation. like
wise Mr.. Kirby and that fat scoundrel
who accompanies him-no warning.
mind. for they are desperate charac-
tiers who hesitate at nothing. Miss
Adele win naturally abhor the idea OF
remaining under this roof one minute
longer timn Is absolutely necessary.
To complete our ostensIble purpose in
form the servants we are leaving, nev-
er to return. and LET Miss Adele pack
up and take with her such things as
belonged to her mother and upon
which this scoundrel can have no legal
claim BY the way. we must assume
charge Of Colonel Moreau's portman-
teau. with such effects as II may con-
tain. II Is our duty TO inquire IL he
left any next OF kin and TO return his
belongings 10 them. Poor gentleman
80 honorable. cAvaIrous and coura-
geous. regret that l had not the ex-
IRENE honor OF meeting him while he
was yet living"
A. n Qasst o. the rortmantcau.
Aaron entered the deserted drawing
room Kirby. pacing the balcony, hail.
ed him from the window.
Mr.. Randall. n you think that ex-
citable young cousin OF yours IL ready
to listen TO me there's something I've
got to tell him." he said quietly, mas
tering his irritation.
1T Is our intention that you shall see
him. sir. as soon as the ladies have
gone" replied Aaron, with signin-
canoe lost on the other.
when the ladies' have gomez" echoed
Kirby. entirely without comprehension.
for he had never contemplated such a
move.
MFR. Randall nodded
Mr.. Kirby" he said coldly. "in their
sense OF honor 10 the dead man who
lost this place TO you his children do
not oppose your possession. But you
can scarcely imagine they would be
willing to pass the night under this
roof once you had claimed H."
Without comment Kirby returned to
the balcony. He looked old and care
worn, for the words Ind sfung him 20
the quick. Twice within the past hour
be had sent request for an interview
to Adele. and as yet she had made no
answer. This. then. was the expIana-
ton. Evidently he was deemed too
unciean thing even 70 look upon. He
did not greatly wonder. for he could
never effacc the memory OF her horri-
fed look and cry when the mask had
fallen and the bad prince stood reveal
ed. After all. the penalty for bis re-
had been UNNECESSARILY great
er than he had anticipated.
Meanwhile Aaron had bent over the
portmanteau. which stiIl lay open upon
q chair as Judge pleydelI had left II.
In searching for Colonel Moreau's Der
ringer the contents Of the suit case
had been somewhat disarranged. and
the methodical Aaron now withdrew
a badly crumpled coat. intending to
fold IT neatly before replacing II. As
be did 80 a red morocco box fell from
one Of the pockets. Aaron. about to
return II, suddenly started and held IL
under the light Of an adjacent lamp.
for the inscription on the I'D which
had arrested his attention was: MAR.
garet Randall to her husband, John
Margaret Randall-that was Adele's
mother" he exclaimed IN wonder
"What Is that?s asked n. ycaudry.
entering the room and noting the 9TH
er's interest.
Something that fell from Colonel
Moresu's portmanfeau.v replied Aaron.
opening the box and examining Its con-
tents. You see. IL Is the miniature Of
AdcIs's mother that that gambler won
The night he won the plantation" nod. |
ding to the balcony where Kirby could |
be heard pacing back and forth. You
know he got even my poor cousins
Jewels. This Is set with diamonds. |
Look-hnlf Of them are gone"
ITO the pawnshop. ehf" venturcd |