Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-05-09

ne pnroreu nave talked the mat.
ter over with Aunt DaveZnr 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 Oh aunty. After
that-weli. you and ] must learn how
to work, Tom. We must provide for
the Generals schooling. and OF course
We. cannot be burden on Aunt Da-
veznc one moment longer than is ab.
soIuteIy necessary. Above all. there
must on no account he any opposition
to this Mr.. Kirby's claim. supposing
he still lives"
Eyes. suppose you're right. Dele !"
he would reluctantly agree. I'VE could
not dishonor fathers memory by re-
sistlng 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 protesting 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 Il thorough investi
CATION. Visiting In person the town in
which Kirby had fought his victorious
battle against death. he eventually sue
ceeded 10 tracing the physician who
had attended tue wounded gambler.
and by him the boys suspicious were
verified beyond the possibility Of a
doubt. His intuition was indicated.
Kirby lived aud. so far as the doctor
knew. was ut that moment busily en-
gagged with his chosen profession.
Young Randall returned home, care
fully conccaling 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 aud keeping his real purpose in
the background. 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 Randals 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 uncie's death. had for over a year
been detained by business interests IN
the north 10 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-
fng for years sought an alliance with
the Randall family through the medt-
UNI Of Adele. would naturally be ex-
pected to concur hc0r'iiy 10 the plans
for the annihiiation Of Cameo Kirby.
Four to one were heavy odds. but the
scapegrace gambler in his day had
accepted grea'er.
In due time the RaNdalls and Pley-
deIls arrived o. the home OF Nine.
DaveZac. but ~. weeks passed and