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

| "A
Bunce eventually found kir
7SS by. From the balcony win
dow the fat veteran had wit
messed Adele's silent contempt. ant
he now laid . sympathetic hand upor
his partners shoulder.
"You see how you stand with her
don't your he said quietly. II won'
say she amt a fne enough woman t
make any man act the fool about her
But, Gene, you've got to hold up YOU
head and ct over 1t. It's too late fol
you to start your life again. and yor
can't drag her into 1t. Take one good
look at yourself. Gene Kirby. then tax.
another at her. But. say, she wouldn't
take you II You was an angel stepped
right out Of the first front floor OF
heaven. What could you ever be tc
her? Nothin' but q Id gambler
I seen the way she treated you"
That's because she doesn't know
what I'm going to do" replied Kirby
striving to convince himself. Look al
that paper"
Bunce examined the deed, then turn
ed Indignantly upon the signer thereof
I've seen you give some pore young
Teller biz money back after you'd won
1t, but I never knowed you to do it II
the Teller slapped you In the face
frst," he said witheringly. "The girl
won't stay long enough in the same
room to wipe her shoes on you. Don't
that hurt you?"
1T won't hurt 30 much after this, -
replied Kirby. indicating the paper.
"when the fool maker made you l
reckon he quit work. He knowed he'd
reached his high water mark com
mented Bunce. with q despairing shrug.
'Now. I'll make her speak to you"
Kirby shook his head, his relaxed fg.
ure stifKening with sudden resolution.
NO." he said quietly. You and I'll
get out Of here. won't see Miss Ran
dali again"
But the other. giving no heed to the
words, quietly left the room, while Kir-
by remained seated at the table alb
stractedly toying with the cards. utter.
~ oblivious to surroundings. His feet.
ing resolution had already vanished.
His grip on the present had relaxed.
He felt singularly hopeless. heartsick
and utterly alone.
He did not know-nor. knowing.
would greatly have eared-that Judge
Pleydell's plan was about to be exc.
cuted. He did not know that Nine.
Davezac. Miss Pleydell and the Gen
eral were already in the carriage wait
ing to be conveyed to their neighbours
plantation, waiting for the coming of
Adele. who had been inexplicably de-
layed at the last minute-delayed by
Bunce, who was putting forth every
persuasive effort. pleading. coaxing.
threatening all in one breath. in des-
perate attempt to bring her back to
the drawing room. to make her grant
a farewell interview to his partner.
At length. In the midst Of his brood
ings. q sound from the window at
tracted his attention. and. listlessly
turning. he discerned young Randall.
old Pleydell. Aaron and NJ. veaudry.
all scrutinising him intently with u
look there was no misinterpreting.
They considered the ladies safely away.
and the time had now come when a
judicial murder might be perpetrated.
Before q word had been exchanged
Kirby fathomed their purpose. but no
hint Of cognizance was evinced In his
manner. He arose leisurely and with
the courtesy Of guest to host rather
than with any intention Of self de-
tense. alarm or even interest. And
for u space and in silence the four
men surveyed the one. Then young
Randall spoke ominously and. for him.
with admirable restraint.
Its pretty dark outside. Mr.. Kirby
too dark to shoot straight. Shall we
settle 1t here? We are going to give
you a chance, and you'd better get
yourself ready to take 1t blanked quick
unless you prefer to be shot like
rat
If you leave 1t to me-" said Kirby
mildly. II prefer not to be shot at
ALL"
do you realize that in giving you
q fair show we do common gambler
an honor?'' returned the boy. strug-
Cling hard against his passion. He re-
scented Kirby's serene composure, for
against 1t he was placed at a humiliat-
ing disadvantage.
II am deeply sensible Of your kind
ness to one Of my profession" observed
the common gambler" bowling with
courteous Formally. 'You seem to be
making quite elaborate preparations.
gentlemen. but ! think you're putting
yourselves to unnecessary trouble. Mr..
Randall, you and your sister
Don't you dare mention the name
Of any lady Of my family" n,enaced
Tom.
'.But that Is necessary. SIR" suavely
murmured the other. because you and
your sister. Miss Adele Randall
"You wolf!'' snaried the boy. and be
struck with an his strength.
The alert and pacific NJ. veaudry
caught the descending arm. and before
the outraged and now thoroughly In
csnsed boy. furious at Kirby's delib-
ente repetition Of Miss Randalrs
nAme. could wrest himself free and
renew the attack Adele herself had
ontered the room. followed by the sue
eeasful Buncs. Her presence Instant
y prohibited further hostilities. and
young Randall sullenly turned awtV.
raging against her delayed departure
and unexpected intrusion. The self
and beaming glance cast upon
him BY the portly veteran Bunce did
not improve his temper. although In
\ r1,oA auna n afforded an eYnlanafion