Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-06-16


obeyed. spelling 1t out as IL it were
written in some strange language with
which she was but vaguely familiar.
He wrote that the first day the doc
tors let him set up to table after
Jack Moreau shot him." sharply ex-
planned Bunce. angered at the recep-
ton accorded what he considered a
sublime act Of generosity. forbearance
and asininity.
Slowly Adele raised her eyes from
the paper and looked steadily at the
common gambler" ''This was in re-
morse-for my father?'' she whispered.
mo" 1t was said quite simply and
emotionlessly. as IL the question were
too absurd to seriously consider. He
would have employed the same tone in
refuting the statement that he was q
Chinaman.
THAT doesn't agree very well with
Colonel Moreau's story" sneered young
Randall. loath to credit such an enemy
with one worthy motive.
"You bet your bottom dollar it DOM"
agreed Bunce.
"That will do. Larkin." said Kirby
sharply. There's nothing more to be
said. We're through here"
Despite Adele's earnest request to
remain and the plea that she had the
right to know the meaning of this
strange contradiction Of evidence. he
resolutely turned to leave the room. his
partner obediently following.
But once again NJ. veaudry. sinking
his own interests In those Of justice.
stepped forward and detained his
sometime rival.
MAKE him speak, Tomv he cried.
turning to young Randall. "This min
iature of your mother we found In
Colonel Moreau's portmanteau." And
he handed the other the red morocco
box.
"But-but my father lost it to you"
exclaimed the bewfldered boy. turning
to Kirby.
mo. not to me, Mr.. Randall" Again
that same patient. emotionless tone, to-
tally devoid of resentment or even in
terest.
tiff we've been in the wrong"
TREMENDOUSLY whispered Adele. raising
her head proudly, but pleading suppli-
cation speaking strongly from her eyes.
"you will set us straight. you will be
fairT"
For long moment Kirby hesitated.
then finally turned to the now eagerly
waiting boy.
"Mr. Randall" hs said. with elabo-
rate irony. 1.-THE question involved in
my conduct is SO purely professional
that it may be almost impossible to
clear it up to the satisfaction of lay
man. Mr.. Bunce. being one Of the
brethren. would comprehend me per-
fectly. but l shall have to point out
that in my profession there are sepa-
rate castles. both high and low, each
controlled by its own standards"
"You accuse Colonel Moreau Of being
a gambler" said young Randall as
the other paused.
II regretfully admit that he had
some claim to the title" replied Kirby.
with intentional elegance of manner,
"for the group to which the colonel
belonged countenances certain prac-
tees. such as the intoxication Of Op-
ponents and the elimination Of chance
in the fall Of the cards. and this. we
feel. shows lack Of foresight tending
to bring discredit on the entire profess
sion, which might in time drive its fol-
lowers from their legitimate field Of
industry. For that reason. when
the late Colonel Moreau in
a private stateroom Of the Shotwell
a gentleman who was-who
was not himself. l took charge Of the
of what remained. intend
ing to make restitution In the morning.
when the victim should be In better
Young Randall being one who cher
ished his hatreds and affections and
them with difficulty. this
new and obviously accurate version Of
bis fathers suicide left him in a state
Of mental fog. Where Adele was only
too willing and eager to believe. the
boy was loath. To the girl Kirby had
once appeared all that woman can
think Of man. but to her brother he
had ever been the pers0nification Of
evil. Tom had blindly nourished his
hatred. Now he felt strangely bewil-
lered. self distrustful and unclean.
His credulity had been shattered with
his self respect. He flushed hotly ut
the thought Of how implicitly and %
such meager evidence he had believed
the specious and totally interruptions
how from such tissue Of
he had carefully erected his
elaborate feud. He had even stopped
to the unutterably foul act Of swear
Ing a murder upon this man. who.
rather than being an enemy. had stood
his fathers sole friend. To him It was
difficult to relegate unto himself new
with the common gambler
as an object for admiration rather
than vilifcation. to dislnter and trans
fer the halo which Moreau had calmly
and taken with him to
the grave to this erstwhile master
rogue. this arch fiend. titles for which
bis name Of Cameo Kirby had been
synonym.
"You meant TO protect my fatherY'
be faltered at length.
"For the honor Of the profession"
said Kirby. That's all right, Mr..
he added gently as the boy.
utterly crushed and filled with bitter
self hatred. strove to verbally inter
pref his abject thoughts. to frame
some sort of fitting apology. IF you'll
lend me a horse to get back to the
:ity we'll call it square. I'm ready.