New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1916-02-26

/ it into the garden.
Before the bewildcred man realized
| fully what was happening, he found
himself before his old friend Irving
Randolph and listening to a plea for
aid in the plan to escape.
For Old times sake. John take me
with you as your man They will not
suspect friend of the governor gener
al and the fiance of Ethel Porter OF
harboring an escaping criminal Ethel
has told me that my name has beef
cleared in England. If can get back
to the Old country safely, no one need
know there that | was Stingaree, the
bushran9er. He can disappear and
shall again he Irving Randolph of Ran
dOlph Towers
1t needed no strong plea to persuade
John Kent, stanch friend Of Irving in
the olden days. But a momentary
hesitation took possession of him as
the thought of the threefold relation
ship Of the three flashed into his mind
She had loved Irving before the un
just accusation drove him to Australia
and the life In the bush Perhaps she
loved him still. although she had prem
Used to wed him. John Kent. and he
loved her And Irving-uid he still
care for her? What would it mean to
himself If the two were free to know
again the old fondneSs!
Only for a moment did such thoughts
fill the mind of Kent Loyalty to his
friend won the day: and he clasped
Irvings hand with u promise:
IAN right. old man! I'll see you
through
Good old john said Randolph.
While all this took place at Govern
ment House the city of sydney was in
an uproar There were goinGs to and
fro and searching of houses and pa.
trolling of highways and byways.
Stingarce. the redOubted. the terrible
Stingaree. bushranger and convict. was
loose
Everywhere the search led. save to
the place where Stingaree waited for
John Kent and where Ethel Porter
and John Kent gathered in haste their
luggage and prepared to embark. When
they did embark they were followed
not only by the good wishes of the
governor general and his consort and
of the sbeaming and secretive Profes
sOr Lucius Brady, master Of crilninol
ogy. and Of all the gay company in
Government House. but by a quiet tall
man bearing some Of the bugs and
boxes Of John Kent
Never once did the hue and cry lead
to Government House. Had 1t done
so who can say that the combined
wits of loving Ethel Porter. loyal John
Kent learned Lucius Brady and willy
Stinsaree would not have found way
to OutWit the officers Of the law?
Exit Stingaree from Australia. scene
of as daring exploits as were ever re-
corded in the criminal annals Of
British colony.
And enter again Irving Randolph. Oh
Lis way to England to reclaim his
rig:i:ful place as lord of Randolph
brother Robert. now sleeping the last
sleep. If not the sleep Of the just, in
the ancestral burying ground next to
the village church For Robert had
died not long before, and the manner
Of his taking of was told to Irving as
the steamer slOwiJ drew out Of Sgd |
ney harbor.
when you were safely out Of Eng. |
land on your way to Australia" John
began. as he. Ethel and Irving sat |
quietly in the steamer chairs on the |
dcck-Ethel. be it noted. just a trife
closer to Irving than to joint made
up my mind tina: would do all could
to clear your name.
"Of course there was Robert In the !
way. Ills need Of money led him. as
you know. to denOunce you. so that he
might have the handling Of your es
tate-of your father. Your mother.
who will be overjOyed to see you again
trusted him in all things For time
the tragic death of Kelton seemed to
sober him. and he walked the straight
and narrow path. But the ole habits !
were too strong for him. and he went
wild gait. ! assure you.
II decided to cultivate his friend
ship. In the hope that by so doing |
could help you in some way to clear
you name. So 1t happened that was
with him when the events occurred
that led to his end"
He paused for u moment Evidently
the recollection was painful. But
Ethel smiled on hun. and John clasped
his hand He went on:
well. one day Bob felt lonely and
telephOned me to meet him at a restau-
rant-the same one you will remem
Der. where you bad the row with Kel
ton over him. l did not want to go
because could tell from his voice that
he had been drinking and | was afraid
he might make q scene But he urged
me to go. and consented
II found him waiting for me at Ia
BILE. and. as ! feared. he mad drunk
just enough to make him obstinate and
ugly. But he was friendly enough to
me. and joined him at the table
Near BY there was young SmithsOn
and his wife-you remember Smith