New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1915-12-04

settled his brothers gambling debts
Mrs. Kelton was giving a reception
and among the invited guests were
! Ethel Porter and Irving and Robert
Randolph. For months Irving haC
known of his brothers infatuation fol-
the pretty Mrs Kelton. 1t was Nc
secret. All the county knew that she
numbered Robert Randolph among bel
conqueSts and that her husband looked
with a jealous eye on her fiirtatlons
There had been no open break between
the two. KeltOn could accuse his wife
of nothing worse than fiirtatious desire
to keep the young man dawdling at
her side.
Kelton warned her: Your guests
will talk about you. Let young Ran
dolph alone this evening"
VERY well, my dear she had prom
Used. But the light in the conserva-
tory was dim. and perhaps both Mrs
Kelton and Bob had had just one OF
two glasses of wine. and their heads
were Just a wee bit too close together
when Kelton came seeking his wife.
To Keton's credit be it said that he
spoke not a word to his wife or to Bob
Randolph He did not even look at
the young man as he offered his arm
to his wife The young woman could
do nothing but accept his escort back
to the parlor, to her neglected guests.
They left Bob standing sheepishly in
the conservatory. but he was not alone
long. Only a minute after the keltons
left Irving entered.
Bob" said he. you know this won't
do. just passed Kelton and his wife.
and his face shows how angry he Is,
He's insancly jealous of her, and
there'n be an explosion if you don't
Quit flirting with her"
Bob interrupted him with an angry
exclamation, but he went on:
Perhaps you mean no harm, but
Kelton doesn't see it that way. We're
lucky he didn't make scene tonight
For mothers sake. Bob
You'd better go back to Ethel and
let my affairs alone, Irving. l can
manage them myself"
And with that Bob flung himself Out
of the conservatory, to spend the rest
Of the evening sulking in a corner
while firtatious Mrs Kelton for once
remained discreetly near her husband
1t was some weeks later that the
explosion came. Despite Irving'S warn
ing and Kelton's open jealousy Of his
wife and dislike of Robert Randolph.
the young man and the woman contin
ued to play with fire. The burning
came one day when Mrs. Kelton and
Robert met by arrangement in a res
taurant for luncheon. There had been
telephone talk after Kelton had
seemingly left his home. An appoint
ment was overheard at the one end by
the jealous husband and at the other
by Irving.
But Kelton restrained his turbulent
heart and watched his wife go out
without Interference; then he followed.
AS was his wont when troubled, Irv-
ing turned to his violin for comfort
But the melodies would not come; his
hands seemed to have lost their Gun
ming when his mind lost its rest. So
be laid by the violin and the bow and
followed Robert and Mrs Kelton and
the injured husband to the restaurant.
Intent only on themselves. Mrs. Kel-
ton and her companion were shown to
seats. Under the pendent cloth Rob
ert grasped the woman's hand and
pressed it.
You silly boy. Some one will see
u.s. she said. but she made no attempt
to withdraw her fingers.
Isn't it a jolly lark. lunching here.
just you and together" said the in
fatuated young fellow. The head wait
ter. all attention. came for his order
and sent it 70 the chef. Then he bur
ried away to the entrance to direct to
a seat the mOnocled. frowning. burly
man, who asked for "a seat near that
young couple there" And few min
utes later, when the head waiter had
shown Irving Randolph to seat near
by. the stage was set for the tragedy.
For few minutes Kelton watched
his wife and Bob laugh and talk. and
then his patience broke He rose with
a muttered oath and moved quickly to
the side Of his wifes table. She was
too intent on Bob and he on her for
either TO notice Kelton's arrival, and
be stood there several seconds before
the woman looked up and met her hus-
bands eye There was Just a tiny
shrek as she rose. and Bob. seeing
kelton. rose also
You cur said the older man. and
ne lifted bis cane to strike at Bob. |
The cane was caught by Irving. who |
had stridden quickly to the table. Be
fore the older brother could say
word Kelton turned on him In fury
How dare yon interfere between this |
yheip and me" be exclaimed.
Irving held his arm firmly and tried |
o calm him. Mrs. Kelton had sunk |
,ack into her seat. and Robert. fearing
o face the music or perhaps perceiv
ne favorable opportunity to escape.
an rapidly to the door and left the |
BY this time the place was in a tur