Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 August 1910 — CAMEO KIRBY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

CAMEO KIRBY

By Booth Tarkinigton

AND Harry Leon Wilson Adapted From the Play of the Same Name by W. B. M. Ferguson Copyright, 1909, by the Ataslee Mlftuine f Company

CHAPTER V. *•1 1 HIS trouble has driven Tom 111 Pretty near crazy.” went |g*r<Fru on the "and I’ve put off his and my daughter Aim’s wedding until we’ve settled Mr. Kirby, for the fact is I don't want her to take any chances of being a widow so young, sir.” > l “Do the ladies know what is going forward?” » “No. and I cannot impress that fact upon y< t> t< <■ -uo.igly. sir. They believe ana ,ir. iv bv kept in the belief that if ColotH-J M oreau accepts our invitation. w inch no doubt he will do, we are all merely making a pleasure jaunt to the Randall plantation. We treat the whole affair in that light, sir —a visit in honor of Colonel Moreau, so that the family may make his acquaintance at last and show some measure of their gratitude to him for shooting down the despoiler of their father.” The entrance of Mme. Davezac prohibited further discussion of the subject. “Ah,” she exclaimed suspiciously, “the gentlemen talk secrets already! M. Aaron," she added graciously, “you and I have not mot for many years.” “A great loss to me," he gallantly replied, kissing her proffered hand. “A happy meeting, mad ame The judge and I,” he continued unblushingiy. “were discussing plans for the probable entertainment of Colonel Moreau.” “Then yon must not talk of gloomy subjects, as I saw you were doing.” the replied. “No denials, please, for It is always when I see two heads together in this house it must be that they talk of their hatred for that poor Eugene Kirby.” “Poor, madame?” echoed Aaron, turning in amazement to Judge Pleydell. “I should nave warned you. sir,” explained the latter, “that my dear old friend has retained her sentimentality With her youth." Considering that Mme. Davezac was past fifty-five, this was indeed a doubly remarkable performance. “Did you know this Kirby, madame?” gravely inquired Aaron. “No, monsieur, never; but I knew his father, and I cannot make myself to feel about the son as do all these others. I know his reputation. M. Aaron. But just think—a boy who had no one to watch him. no one to care! He drifts with bad companions; he must live somehow. Oh. I could believe he became a gambler, but that one with such blood in him could do what you all believe he has done—it is impossible.” “But. madame,” protested Aaron, “this gentleman, this stranger. Colonel Moreau”— “Ah,” she quickly interrupted. “I think Colonel Moreau acted from the highest motive. None of this family has a greater wish to make his acquaintance and ‘thank him than have L But lam still sure there was something be did not see, something he did not understand, something which would take the stain from the action of that poor young man. Yes; you think me a fool, you laugh at me.” she added as both gentlemen smiled ironically. “but it is what I think, and it is good to see some one laugh in this house even if it is at my expense." As she turned to leave an old negro entered and announced that the “French niggehs” would serve coffee in fifteen minutes. “Wait. Croup." commanded Mme. Davezac. Then, addressing the two gentlemen, she added: “Listen. This negro belonged one time to the father of Eugene Kirby. Croup, tell the gentlemen what you have told me once of that time your young M. Kirby has fall from the oak tree.” “Well, suh, it Were like dis heah." began the old negro, turning to Judge Pleydell. “’Twere long time ago, ’fo’ Marse Randall done buy me to keep me from bein’ sold at auction. Den I b’long to ole Marse Kirby, what's been long dead and gone Dat liT Marse Gene Kirby in dem days round de place all de niggehs done know him by de name of 'LiT Marse Come Cheer Up. kase dat what de liT boy alius say fo* greetin’, But de way what de nickname got fixed on him is dis: He sich a tendah hahted lad seem Lahk he jest kain't stan' fo’ to have nobody in trouble nohah An’ one day a liT ya Her, no count, ornery brown pickaninny done dim’ up in de high branches of a tree fo’ to rob de aigs outen a mockin' imbd s nes.’ Li’l' Marse Gene Kirby he ketch sight of him up dere. an’ he holler fo’ him to come down. He say: ‘What yo’ doin’ up dere, pickaninny? Don’ yo* know dat ole xnotheh mockin* buhd come back, fin’ de nest robbed, the das goin' to break huh beabt a-mou’nin’ ? Come down from dere.’ “But de pickaninny mighty sassy an’ 'spends. ‘I ain’t meanin’ to come down from heah—gwine to git.de aigs.* “Den Maree_Gene any: ‘No, yo* jaß*t

I goin’ to fetch yo* dofcm from dah an* tan yo’ hide.’ An’ fo’ anybody could stop him he’s halfway up de tree aft eh dat pickaninny. Pickaninny crope out bn a mighty slendehf branch but 11’1* marse right along afteh him and grab him under the ahms. Den blimblam ■wer. i *je i-ir x-b and down dey come, boffeip r<.gi<d;-r My ignd. I thought deto plum killed, but as dey fall Marse Gene he manage to swing his body underneaf de pickaninny—what’s even littler-dan Marse Gene an’ only a wuffless slave anyhow—so dat when dey hit de ground dat pickaninny land on top o’ liT marse. But he ’gun to yell lahk he’s kilt. Den liT marse all be do is to smile when we bend oveh him, an’ he say to de pickaninny, ‘Come, cheer up.’ Dat’s all he say, lyin’ dere wif his lalg broken. Dat’s all, sufi.” Croup hesitated and then added: “I ain’t seen li’l marse sence he was a liT boy. and dey say he tuhn out very bad. But lahk 1 tole yo’ is de way he done when he was a 11T boy, an’ dey call him ’Li’l’ Marse Come Cheer Up.’ Thank yo’, suh.” And. with a bow, the old serving man withdrew. “Perhaps you can understand,” commented Mme. Davezac.

“My dear lady." replied the judge, “I fear the argument is wasted. It is a fact that the late Emperor Nero, a well known but disreputable character in Roman history, was very tender hearted during bis boyhood.” “And,” added Aaron, with much bitterness. "that a soul of such promise as a child should have fallen so low as a man makes him all the less deserving of your pity. The case against this Kirby is quite clear.”

“Perhaps I am ver’ foolish that I can’t believe with you.” she returned. “But are we not going to the plantation to forget all such things? Let us not discuss the matter further.”

It was not long before young Randall arrived and acquainted the others with his happy meeting with Colonel Moreau, it was then agreed that the boy in order to prepare his home for the honored guest should precede the others to Plaquemine. Jndge Pleydell having orders to leave at bis plantation, proceeding from there to the Randalls’ home, the pleasure of receiving Colonel Moreau was thus left in the hands of Aaron.

“He may be here at any moment” explained Tom. “and as I must change into riding togs you will- have to receive him, cousin. One of our blood must be here to welcome him. I don’t think we can show tbo much honor to the man who tried to avenge my father. So far l am the only member of the family who has made his acquaintance. I will come down as soon as I can. but you will pot find him difficult to entertain. He’s a fine fellow in every sense of the word.” Shortly after Judge Pleydell had departed, while the ladies were busily engaged with their packing and young Randall was dressing, the»tall figure of the flower of southern chivalry, portmanteau in band, arrived at Mme. Davezac’s and was heartily greeted by the expectant Aaron, who. sensible of his duties as host, put forth every effort to receive this distinguished visitor in the manner befitting one who owned such presumable rank and virtue.

“Allow me to welcome you. sir.” he said. “My name is Aaron Randall, and I have the honor to be cousin to the poor children you have befriended. May I offer you a morning dram, sir?” Moreau accepted the glass with his native courtesy and. raising it. murmured: "With yoh. suh! 1 regret,” he added in his best manner, “that 1 have never been able to meet the ladies of yob cousin’s household, and I was delighted to hear today from Mr. Randall that 1 am to have the pleasure of helping to complete t tbe punishment I began moh than a year ago on the destroyer of this family’s happiness. I allude, suh. tp the notorious Cameo Kirby-*'

“You call a pistol Sall through the right lung only a beginning, colonel?” mildly inquired Aaron, impressed by his visitor’s evident prowess. “The ball I put through Kirby's rigtt lung, suh, was the result of my indignation foh others,” replied Moreau “The one I shall hope to put through his heart is foh myself. Yoh famfly’s plan foh ,dispbsing of the scoundrel has my entire approval* suh. I have the honor to tell yoh that Cameo Kirby's continued existence has achieved this importance. It has become an annoyance to me—Colonel Jacques Gaspard Deschamps Moreau—and I shall wipe him from the earth.” “Let us hope so!” agreed Aaron.

“Miche Larkin Bunce fo’ to see de genaman what's jest come.” announced old Croup, popping his head around

the door and making a polite bow. Before the gentleman could arise Kirby’s partner shouldered his way past the negro and strode into the room. “Well. Moreau, I've run you down at he exclaimed cynically, eying the startled gambler “I’ve hunted the town for you. from the Salle de ' Conde to Congo square. I reckon you know who I come from.”

Moreau. momentarily staggered, quickly recovered his wonted composure. His immediate task was to get rid of Aaron before the latter was In possession of any plain truths—truths with which the overheated Bunce seemed to be bursting.

“Mr. Randall,” he said politely and with no evidAce of haste, “my business with this gentleman is private Might I beg of you”— “He kin stay for all I care.” interrupted Kirby’s partner “Not at all. not at all," apologized Aaron “The house is yours, sir.” he added, turning to bis honored guest. With another bow. which this time included Mr Bunce, he hastily left the room

“Seemed kinder anxious to git him out o’ the way.” commented the intruder after a moment’s silence. “I reckon you didn’t hardly calkilate on Gene Kirby’s turning up here in Noo Orleans Just about now. I reckon If > - a in rui have stayed hid in . Mexico “ '■

"You thin'; r<l hide from Gene Kirby?” den.:, .leil Moreau, folding his arms and riariug at the other. “I don't think you will no more,” replied Bunce laconically. “You know, Jack, what 1 admire about you is the Impidence a good skeer puts into you. You're so sheered of Kirby’s getting you you’ve got the impidence to be here with the Randall family because you think It's the last place he’d look for you.” “Well?" demanded Moreau.

“Yes; he’s pretty well again, and he’s waiting for you, colonel. He don’t know these folks, and be don't care what they think of him. It’s you he’s after, and 1 guess you wouldn’t exactly like him to have a talk with Tom Randall. That's where I've got you. You’ve got to meet Kirby yourself ’stead o’ waiting for this young Randall to try it for you. You’ve got sense enough to know that If Tom went you might have both of them after you.” “I suppose,” said the other suavely, “you mean 1 may hope for a settlement of my affairs with Kirby?” “Oh, you bet you can hope,” chuckled Bunce. “When 1 left Gene two hours ago 1 said I'd find you for him. He went to .the dueling oaks’—you know them—and will there for you. He’ll be at the fur end—alone. You go into the grove at this end—alone. After you've seen each other shoot when you please. Do you understand?”

“Tell him I’ll be there,” said Moreau grimly. On Bunce’s departure Colonel Moreau. with his usual amiable manner and native regard for the truth, acquainted Aaron and Tom Randall with the sudden alteration tn his plans, adding that for the present he must defer his meeting with the ladies. “Foh this.” he concluded, producing his Derringer, “means an appointment I cannot decline We dispense with

seconds, foh. already having had one encounter, we are permitted to meet alone. Gentlemen, I see yoh have guessed the truth. The fact is 1 am going to relieve yoh of the annoyance a certain plan might have occasioned yoh. 1 have just received word that Cameo Kirby is awaiting me now at the dueling oaks. We show our weapons on sight, and this time I shall kill him.” “No., by God, you don’t! I claim that right!” cried Tom. “Our plan is bad! 1 never liked it anyway. They kept me from going out after him yesterday. Now he’s where 1 can get him"— “This quarrel is between Kirby and myself, sub.” sharply interrupted Moreau. “The ,message was to me.” “I take it off your hands.” exclaimed Tom. laughing wildly. “It’s mine by right, and I claim IL Thank God, in half an hour I can look my family in the face without shamhT and Adele will at last take off her mourning.” “1 repeat sub.” returned Moreau, With quiet finality, “that this is my affair. I regard it as an execution. I cannot and will not permit any interference on yoh part. Merely tell the ladies that 1 was delayed and will follow on horseback later. And kindly take charge of my portmanteau.” Sullenly realizing the other’s fixity of purpose, the boy turned to his saddlebags, from which he produced a silver mounted pistol. White faced and trembling with Emission, he band-

ed it to the colonel. “At least.” he said, with an effort at dignity and self composure, "do me the favor of using this instead of your own. Since my father’s death I have always carried it It belonged and is the one that scoundrel caukpd him to turn upon himself.” “I respect the sentiment and yoh wishes, sub.” replied Moreau, handipg his own weapon to Aaron, who gingerly placed it In the colonel’s portmanteau. “Won’t you even take me as a witness?” pleaded Tom. “He won’t see me. for I’ll hide in the underbrush.” “Impossible. Mr. Randall. I ask yoh word to continue yoh journey exactly as yoh have planned. Never fear; 1 shall see yoh at the plantation this evening. When, yoh come tn sight of yoh fields today look- upon them In peace, foh by that time there will be no one to dispute them with yoh. Yoh servant. ge:itlemen.” And. bowing, the good colonel blithely stepped forth into the morning sunshine and headed for the distant dueling oaks From the window Tom Randall impatiently watched the other's departure, and when at- lengtlPthe estimable defender of the family, serene upon his coming interview with Kirby. had turned a nearby .corner the boy sprang offthe window seat and seized his hat “Where are’you going?” sharply demanded ' : , i, bar the other's w:;« “Don’t v. j », inp»“ violently warned Tom it ever a man had the right to ancihe: s life I have ib* right to Cameo Kirby's Colonel Kloreau may have taken it from me. but do you think I’m not going to see it done?” “Not in honor.” said Aaron sternly. “Each was to go alone.” “What honor did Kirby show tny father?” cried the boy “Get everything ready at the plantation and tell Adele that Colonel Moreau and 1 will follow on horseback. If Moreau doesn’t finish Kirby I will. 11l get him' somehow!” And, flinging aside Aaron's detaining arm. be dashed from the bouse. (To be Continued.)

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“ DEY CALL HIM ‘LI’L’ MARSH COME CHEER UP.”

“DO ME THE FAVOR OF USING THIS.”