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

band" said Ethel. He found you
there. If there was any other man,
who was he?"
Again the loyalty to the family name
checked Irving. IF you Will not take
nv word that l am innocent 1t will be
Of no use for me to try to convince
YOU" he said sadly and turned away
| to rejoin the party on the lawn, While
Ethel sought forgetfulness in a com
| Portable armchair and a book.
Song and talk and merry chaff filled
the pretty scene on the lawn. Robert,
for all his faults. knew how to make
himself agreeable and was the life or
many a group. Irving, tall and ath-
letic, thoughtful and somewhat re
served, was hardly less popular. The
courses of the brothers generally lay
far apart, but they swung together in
far corner of the grounds, where
group Of men were testing their skill
at target shooting.
The range was long. and at the far
Their end was small hill into which
went the bullets which missed the
target In the shooting party were
some good shots; both Irving and Rob
ert were skilled with the rife, but the
former had devoted more time and
attention to revolver shooting, and he
had attained high proficiency with the
shorter weapon.
Hit after hit evoked applause: The
guests shot in turn. and as there were
many DESTROYS of trying their skill and
as Robert and Irving were late in
joining the shooting party. it was some
time before their turn to shoot came.
Robert fitted from group to group. ex-
changing comments on the merits OF
the craftsmanship displayed.
kelton was not numbered in the
shooting party. His tastes did not lie
in that direction; perhaps the monocle
which he affected and which was con
tinually falling from his right eye at
fected his aim. Besides. he had Occa
sion to keep not only both eyes. but
also the mOnOcle on his vivaciOus con-
sort. The little woman could not re-
strain her propensity toward Irritation.
Her favorite subject. Robert Ran
dolph. having escaped for the nonce
from her wiles. she cast about for an
other victim.
But, unhappily. she chose time
when her husband was watching her.
not escape him. AS had been the case
SO many times in the past. her conduct
led to a violent quarrel.
First there was that Randolph fell
low; now it's this chap This will have
to STOP" he warned her. and for the
thousandth time she denied any wrong
doing and qrarreled with her husband.
1t ended, as it always did, in his leav-
ing her and going for walk to cool
off his rage.
His way led him back of the rife |
range. Oblivious to his surroundings, |
conscious only of his anger against his |
wife, Kelton walked on.
There was a little squabble in the |
group at the range, now reduced to |
Irving. Robert and Kent Selfish and
inconSiderate as ever, Robert insisted |
on shooting first, and thus it came
about that it was Irving's turn just as
Kelton appeared behind the head Of
the range. Through the shrubbery his
form was dimly visible 1t was hard
ly perceptible-one could barely see
that something was there, without dis
corning the details. John kent's quick
eye caught it first. AS Irving pulled
the trigger Kent exclaimed:
MY GodT'
But 1t was too late. Irving had fred,
and the bullet sped past the target into
the heart Of James Kelton. He whirled
about and fell. dying just as Kent and
the brothers rushed to him.
you've killed him. Irvingw said
Kent
Into the heart of Robert Randolph
entered an evil, fratricidal purpose.
Kelton killed-Irving accused Of will.
full murder-convfcted on the damning
evidence of the quarrel in the restau-
rant-he himself. Robert, in possession
of the family estates
We'll. you've done it, Irving" he
said
What do you mean. Bob? Do you
mean to say that shot him intention
allyn
1T looks that way. You did it de-
liberately, and III not lie to save your
ife!"
The words reused Irving from the
half trance in which he stood. With
an oath he rushed at his brother, and
before Kent could drag him off he had
,hoked Robert half to death In his
'age he would have made himself real
y guilty Of murder had not his friend
oy main strength dragged him off.
BY this time the alarm had spread
among the members of the gay house
party. There were hurrying to and
no and talk in whispers and the dis
patch OF servants. Only a few min
ties passed before the body of James
helton was borne to the house. the
historical widow was led away nv
trends. and the party broke up.
throughout the horrors of those few
MINUTES Kent stood steadfast at the
,lue of Trying Rando1ph