The Irish standard., 1911-01-21

access of fury.
NJ. Yeaudry laid restraining hand
upon his arm. 1T is that do not
think Mr.. Kirby has acted as other
than Il gentleman to a lady," he SAID
pacitically, glancing significantly at
Pleydell.
"Gentleman" sneered young Ran
dali. las if he knew the meaning of
the word! But if he had dared to adj
dress Adele 1 would go down now
and
You must learn to control yourself,
SIR" interposcd the. Judge somewhat
testify, irritated at the boys mad out
bursts. II think you can safely leave
the honor of the family in the mature
and capable hands of your cousin. You
have misintcrpreted my words" he
added. ignoring the others shrug at
the mention Of Aaron's supposed abil-
tiles. flor Anatole is quite right. Mr.
Kirby evidently has ono virtue-hc
knows his limits-and your sister is
not one to be impressed by such a
character even if disappearing under
such an honorable name as Colonel
Moreau. TO return to the real theme.
is it agreed, then, that we adhere to
| our original plan?"
| AS Tom sulkily refused to speak,
Aaron asked gravely: You 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 man? The
/ ladies are to be kept in ignorance of
our real purpose?"
I'D shoot him and be done with it,"
shifted young Randall. Hell slip
J through your fingers again-sce if lie
/ 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 will naturally abhor the idea OF
remaining under this roof one minute
longer than is absolutely necessary.
To complete our ostensible purpose in
form the servants we are leaving, new
err 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 Morcaus portman-
teau, with such effects as 1t may con-
tain. 1t is our duty to inquire if he
| left any next Of kin and to return his
belongings to them. Poor gentleman
so honorable, chivalrous and courn-
geous. ] regret that ] had not the eX-
IRENE honor of meeting him while he
was yet living"
AS, in quest of the portmanteau.
Aaron entered the deserted drawing
room Kirby. pacing the balcony, hail
ed him from the window.
MIR. Randall, if you think that ex-
citable young cousin of yours is ready
to listen to me there's something I've
got to tell him. he said quietly, mas
tering his irritation.
ut is our intention that you shall see
him, sir, as soon as the ladies have
gone" replied Aaron, with signiii-
canoe lost on the other.
when the ladies have gone" echoed
Kirby, entirely without comprehension,
for he had never contemplated such Il
move.
Mr.. Randall nodded.
"Mr. Kirby" he said coldly, Gin their
sense of honor to 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 il.
without comment Kirby returned to
the balcony. He looked old and care
worn, for the words had stung him to
he had sent Il request for an interview
to Adele, and as yet she had made no
answer. This, then, was the cxplana
/ ton. Evidently he was deemed foo
unclean thing even to look upon He
did not greatly wonder, for he could
never efface 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 his re-
manning had been UNNECESSARILY great
er than he had anticipated.
Meanwhile Aaron had bent over the
portmanteau, which still lay open upon
a chair as Judge Pleydell had left it.
In searching for Colonel Moreall's Der
ringer the contents Of the suit case
had been somewhat disarranged, and
the methodical Aaron now withdrew
a badly crumplcd coat. intending to
fold it neatly before replacing it. As
he did so red morocco box fell from
one Of the pockets. Aaron, about to
return it, suddenly started and held il
under the light of IN adjacent lamp
for the inscription on the lid which
had arrested his attention was: "Ma,
garet Randall to her husband, John
Randall"
| "Margaret Randall--that was Adele's
mother" he exclaimed in wonder.
"What is that" asked NJ. Veaudry
1 l.