Jasper County Democrat, Volume 13, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 September 1910 — Page 6

CAMEO KIRBY

By Booth Tarkington AND Harry Leon Wilson

Adapted From the Play of the Same Name by W. B. M. Ferguson Copyright. 1905. by the Ainelee Mlgeziae Company

CHAPTER IX. f S' I VEN a more obtuse and inexI I perienced man than Eugene QKI Kirby would not have failed •‘■Bl to interpret Adele’s words and bearing, the cause of which was as yet beyond her understanding. Kirby knew that he was dealing with no coquette, who sought to pander to vanity or who considered al! men the playthings of an idle hour. It was not so much Adele’s words as her manner, which betrayed a frank liking and interest. which, despite his modest arguments to the contrary, could no longer be attributed to an impersonal regard for his safety and welfare. He saw that, unknown to herself, she was rapidly passing through the various stages of liking and interest, heading straight for that inevitable climax which is dignified by the term love. In view of the fact that he had already arrived there and had made every effort to assist her, toward the same goal, the present njisgivings and self censure .which now assailed him were decidedly out of place. True to his character, he had acted first and considered last. He had put

"forth every effort to please, to awaken her heart, and now that there were signs that it was answering he was dismayed. In the flush of his new and .welcome experience fie.had forgotten his calling, his reputiiti.n-forgotten that he was a common gambler, with no claim upon such society as he was now enjoying—forgotten everything but that, by some miraculous fortune, he had been transplanted to the land of his dreams, had met its central figure and bad promptly plunged head over heels in love. Kirby’s thorough if tardy self censure, however, was hardly justified, for he had made no conscious efforts to enlist Adele’s regard, and their mutual attraction had been as instantaneous and spontaneous as it was natural and to be expected. But the knowledge of her identity had awakened him to a lively sense of his true position, and. although he was far from being the scoundrel which Moreau had pictured and Adele believed him, his regard for her clearly showed him that by remaining he was jeopardizing her future peace and happiness. He must save her from herself and from him and, no matter how difficult it, would prove, kill her dawning interest, which naturally was based on ths supposition that he was a gentleman privileged to associate with one of her standing. Filled with this resolution, he now turned and said: “Miss Randall, you’ve been kinder to me than any woman ever was. You saved my life this morning. But my friend is right. I’d better go. Already you’ve helped me more than you ought.”

Instantly the angelic, wrapt expression was sponged from her face, and, astonished, almost angry, she turned upon him. “Why? What right have you, to say that?” she demanded. “Do you think I don’t want to?” “No,” he admitted. “But—but I can’t stay.” “Do you want me to believe that you’re afraid?” “Yes, I’m afraid.” “Afraid because we expect the real Colonel Moreau tonight or tomorrow? I’m not afraid of his coming, and you can’t make me believe that you are. I don’t believe you were ever afraid of a man in your life.” She stood very straight and looked into his eyes, an incredulous, challenging smile on her lips. 1 “No, I was never afraid of a man,” he admitted quietly. “But I am afraid of”—

“Of me?” she whispered interpreting the pause. “Yes,” he said simply. Her eyes battled to meet his own, but every effort proved futile, and at length, coloring vividly, she sought the garden seat, half turning her back, while he pre-empted the arm, toying restlessly with the white camellia he still carried. “I gather from the stories you read the General,” he continued, beuding toward her. while he smiled half cynically. "that the bad prince always keeps following the beautiful princess, and of course she always finds him out Now. it looks to me like a weakness in his character that he doesn't quit before she has the chance to. In my opinion, he’s a fool to take the -Tisk.” Her answer came tremulously, but - withal brave and to the point. “I suppose 1 could find a story in which she would want him to take the chance Now—now, are you going to stay?” turning and looking up, half daringly, into his eyes. “I can’t” he said doggedly. “And the sooner I go the better. Don’t let anything ever make you sorry that you helped me. Goodby.” And, throwing the camellia on the bench, he resolutely offered tils hand.

But she ignored the hand and picked up the discarded flower. “Not yet. not yet.” she whispered. “There is Anu calling me. and I must dress for dinner. But 1 shall expect to see you again before you leave. You will' wait here? You may tell me good by then-if you wish to.” He bowed, seating himself dejectedly on the garden seat, while she flew into the house. The sun had set, and twilight was fast approaching, the shadows of the trees blending in one solid gray impalpable mass. It seemed as if the disappearance of the sun and Adele had been coincident, productive of the same effect. Without warning the day’s work seemed to be clamoring for toll, demanding more than Kirby owned. He felt weary, spent, utterly forsaken and alone, the bleak and barren future stretching interminably before him. Hostage of his bitter humor, be was oblivious to the fact that the old negro, Croup, watching his opportunity, had stolen from the house and was now regarding him fixedly, and he started when at length the other timidly ventured to address him. “Marse. yo’ scuse me, sab. Could yo’ be so ’bligin’ an’ kind fo’ -me to ask yo’ a question?” prefaced Croup, with a humble bow. “I got a very strong membunce o’ de way yo’ is favored in de profyle. but it must ’a’ been a long time since yo’ was here, kase 1 don’t place yo’ das right, specially by de name, sab.” “I have never been here before," replied Kirby truthfully. “Well, I ’clah ole Croup got a rack his wool some, kase I knows yo’ face as well as 1 knows my own. I bet I ain’t goin’ to get to sleep a wink tonight tryin’ to ’tuembeh whah it was I know’ yo’, sah.” Amused by the other’s evident perplexity, Kirby in his characteristic fashion temporarily dismissed his own trouble and said. with.a smile: “Come, cheer up. It isn't as bad as that.” Instantly Croup turned, electrified, while he clapped both hands behind outstanding ears. “What yo’ say, sah?” he cried. “Blass God. ‘LIT Marse Come Cheer Up!’ It’s done come to me. It’s Marse Gene Kirby”-“S-sh! Don't can me that,” warned the’ other, jumping to his feet.

“No, sab. I don’t say dat name no mo’,” replied Croup, with an effort restraining his excitement and pleasure. /•’Twas your own pa done riz me, sah, an’ yo’ can trust me clean throo to de bone. I’m Croup, what done knowed yo’ was HT marse. But what yo’ doin’ here? ’Tain’t safe. Dey das nachally goin’ to kill yo’, Marse Gene. Honey, yo’ must git off’n dis land as quick as yo’ kin.” “Thank you for the warning, Croup,” said Kirby, offering his hand. “But don’t you worry about me. I’m going. Can you get two horses for me? Good! Have them saddled and bring them around on the road.” As the old serving man ambled away Larkin Bunce appeared. The plethoric gambler was thoroughly miserable with his surroundings and had decided to make a last appeal to his partner. “Praise the Lord,” he began earnestly, “that the nigger’s given you sense enough to see that you’ve got to

“S-SH! DON’T CALL ME THAT.”

go. , You know where you are now, don’t you? I heard you askin’ for horses. Well, you kite for the river. I’m too fat to keep up, but I’ll ketch you later on. Come. We can’t get off too soon.” “I can’t leave until I’ve seen Miss Randall,” replied Kirby, with quiet finality. “I have told her that I would Wait for her here.” “Why, you gosh a’mighty idiot!” exploded Bunce. “Don’t you know Tom Randall’s liable to be here any minute and a posse with him? If I could track you out here from Noo Orleans, he kin, kain’t he? Ain’t you ever goin’ to quit doin’ these reckless, .fool things? Surely you ain't reached your time of life without knowin’ what a woman means when she says ‘Wait a minute,’ and she didn’t even say that. You kain’t wait for her, I tell you.” “I’d wait for her till the Lord quit making minutes,” replied Kirby. “When she comes I’ll go.” , Once more Bunce helplessly appealed to an invisible audience for pity, for compassion, at his thus being associated with an utter lunatic. “You pore lost soul!” he finally groaned. “Do you think I don’t know what’s the matter with you? I seen you look at her. What business have you got Bangin’ around a lady, even if you wouldn't git shot for just copin’ here? What chance have you got with a lady anyway? Ain’t there women enough in the World? You know no lady would have anything to do with our kind. You got no business”—

“I don’t hurt her if I only look at her. do I?” snapped Kirby, whirling

upon his partner in sudden passion; “My God, if a man’s been outside the walla for years you can’t blame him for wanting to look at the flowers a minute if be gets into the garden some day. That can’t harm them.” “Gene, do you know you’re crazy yourself?” sadly pronounced Bunce, with a shake of the head. “They say them loonies dp know it sometimes. And a nice, crazy turn you done me, too, tying me up here with folks like these,” he added, with vehement reproach as full realization of his many wrongs overcame him. “You know I never had nothin’ to say to no ladles, and as soon as I ever see one I choke up, and my neck gets? hot and my ears git red. Interduced me as his secretary,” again appealing to the invisible audience. “Waugh! Secretary! I’d make a h— of a secretary, wouldn’t I? Come on. Gene. Pry yourself loose from all this darn foolishness before it’s too late”— “I’ve already given you my decision,” interrupted Kirby, with some asperity. “But, Larkin, don’t let my affairs detain you." Bunce, after a farewell invocation of the heavens, resigned himself to the Inevitable and, seating himself on the garden seat, proceeded to pick his teeth, while he fastened a plaintive and expectant eye on the distant house.

The partners sat in moody silence for some time until at length their reveries were interrupted by the advent of Judge Pleydell, Mr. Randall and M. Veaudry. The judge had but returned from the steamboat landing, and as he approached the occupants of the garden seat his expression was of so serious a character that Bunce, ever on the lookout for trouble, now scented danger and, nudging his companion, jumped to his feet. But Kirby, though wary .eyed, remained outwardly cool and entirely self possessed and. embracing this heaven sent opportunity of further aggravating his partner, promptly introduced the latter as “my secretary."

“Colonel Moreau, sir.” began the judge, somewhat astonished at the ferocity of Mr. Bunce's bow. “I have the most astonishing piece of news for you. Whit would you say if I told you that you had no right to be here at all. sir?” As Pleydell. preserving his stern demeanor, laid a hand on Kirby's shoulder his coinpanions exchanged startled and significant glances, while Mr. Bunce grew apologetic and edged nearer his partner. All eyes were now on Kirby, but his expression of mild surprise and courteous interest never changed. “Well, 1 reckon I’d have to say that the joke was on me, judge,” he calmly replied. Pleydell began to laugh. “Well, sir, according to rumor, you ain’t here. According to rumor, you ain’t anywhere, because you’re dead.” To him it was a huge joke, and he roared until the tears mingled with his snowy mustache, all ignorant of the fact that he had propounded a literal truth; ignorant of the fact that his companions were still significantly eying each other and that Mr. Bunce was having exceeding difficulty with his collar. .In fact, Kirby was the sole member bf the interested audience who appeared to appreciate the full humor of the situation.

“When is my funeral ?” he asked, with a smile. “I don’t want to miss that.” His composure somewhat recovered; but, Still chuckling and occasionally going off into another spasm of laughter, the judge proceeded to explain the manner in which he had gained the interesting information. “The afternoon steamer does not stop, sir, and I am obliged to row out In a boat to get my letters. The news was shouted to us from the deck as she moved away. All I could catch was the words, ‘Colonel Moreau dead,’ and I think they added, ‘This morning.’ The distance was too great for me to secure any further items from that interesting liar, sir.” And, still laughing, Pleydell clapped Kirby on the shoulder, while Mr. Bunce, drawing his first long breath, mutely thanked the Almighty that all guilelessness and innocence had not entirely deserted mankind when the serpent entered Eden. But it was apparent that Mr. Randall and M. Veaudry owned more discernment and that their quick, suspicions, previously aroused, had now become active, pregnant with danger. It so happened that they Were now augmented by~hone other than the General, who would have died rather than wittingly betray his trust. During the judge’s discourse the boy had joined the group, seeking out Kirby as his natural companion. Looking at the other’s hand and again at his breast, the General suddenly exclaimed: “I know what all those things are that you wear. They’re cameos.”

“Cameos,” exclaimed Aaron under his breath, his eyes returning to those of M. Veaudry. Meanwhile Adele had been busily preparing for her last mute appeal to Kirby to remain. For the first time since her father’s death she discarded mourning and In its place arrayed herself in a treasured evening gown of white satin purchased in Paris before the long shadow had descended unon uiv mmuj coriunes. sne was determined to look her best that night and in this feminine maneuver was enthusiastically supported by her aunt and Ann Pleydell, who, if they did. not suspect the cause, were entirely happy with the result, for they had long been urging the girl to discard the morbid preoccupation and settled misery which had threatened to sap vitality, embitter life; anxiously sought and honed for some means, .of ..trans?

"I HAVE THE MOST ASTOUNDING PIECE OF NEWS FOR YOU.”

forming her into the girl she once had been. It now appeared as if their most optimistic desires had materialized, for it had been many a long day sjpce Adele had evinced such anxious care and pride in her toilet, assumed the necessary fluty with such lightsome heart and eager, feverish fingers. With pardonable vanity she closely scanned her reflection in the mirror, s ■:.? ; ! :• i-li and finding ft jjot Indeed. !>.: cliet finished, the result more tl;.i . J :. i;dcd her elaborate and careful preparation. As a finishing touch she pinned in her coiffure the white camellia which Kirby had discarded, and. conscious that she had done her very best in this important detail of her maneuver, she repaired to the veranda, accompanied by Mme. Davezac and Miss Pleydell, suitably attired for the evening. The moon had now risen, flooding the garden with its brilliant light and disclosing Mr. Randall and M. Veaudry standing a little apart from the others, their attitude eloquent of hostile suspicion. A pregnant silence had succeeded the General’s exclamation, a silence broken at length by a tense whisper from Bunce. “Come. Gene,” he urged, catching the other’s arm. “The boy has let it out. Look at that man’s face,” indicating Aaron Randall. Kirby uddded imperceptibly while he calmly patted the General’s head. “Gentlemen." he said, bowing to the others, “I regret I am taking my leave. I only wait to say goodby to Miss Randall.”

“Who is it speaks of leaving?" suddenly demanded Adele's clear voice, and. turning, they all saw the ladies watching them from the veranda. “Colonel Moreau,” added the girl, coming down the steps and approaching Kirby, while Mme. Davezac and Ann Pleydell echoed her protests, “you cannot think of leaving. Dinner is served, and your place at table is next to me. Will you give me your arm?” smiling up into his eyes. The full significance of her change of attire, the delicate but overwhelming compliment paid by the white camellia and the message it mutely conveyed, the great honor shown him, the overpowering appeal which this new, wondrous, resplendent Adele made to his already captive senses, wiped out in a breath all Kirby's hitherto adamantine resolution and fixity of purpose, obliterated all thoughts of the future or care for his present danger. “Now git to those Bosses,” implored Bjjnce, sensing that his partner was in peri} of yielding dominion to this feminine appeal. “Git to the bosses, Gene.” “Hang the horses!” cried Kirby recklessly. “I’m going to dinner with a lady.” Throwing whip and hat on the garden seat, he bowed to Adele and offered Bis arm, while Larkin Bunce, inwardly raging at this new and sublime aet of lunacy, turned helplessly to his sympathetic but invisible audience. (To be Continued.)

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F. H. Hemphill, M. D. ' PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. Special attention given to diseases of Women and low grades of fever. Office in Williams block, opposite Court House. Formerly occupied by Dr. Hartsell. , Phone, Office and Residence, 442. S. Herbert Moore, fl. D. PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON. All calls will receive prompt attention night or day from my office over the Model Clothing store. Telephone No. 251. Rensselaer * - Indiana. H. L. Brown, DENTIST. Office over Larsh’s drug store. .& Dr. J. H. Hansson VETERINARY SURGEON—Now at Rensselaer. Calls promptly answered. Office in Harr's Bank Building. Phone 443. J. F. Irwin. 8. C. Irwis Irwin & Irwin, Law, Real Estate and Insurance 5 Per Cent Farm Loami. Office m Odd Fellows’ Block. RENSSELAER. IND. E. C. English, Physician & Surgeon. Opposite the Jasper Savings A Trust Company Bank. Office Phone 177. Residence Phone, 1141.

W. W. Merrill, M. D. Eclectic Physician and Surgeon, RENSSELAER, - - INDIANA Chronic Diseases a Specialty.

I. O. O. F. Bldg. Phone 159 John A. Dunlap, LAWYER. Practice in all courts. Estates settled. Farm Loans. Collection department. Notary in the office. Rensselaer, Indiana. Edward P. Honan, ATTORNEY AT LAW. Law, Abstracts, Real Estate, Loans Will practice in all the courts Offic* over Fendig’s Fair. RENSSELAER, INDIANA. Arthur H. Hopkins, Law, Loans and Real Estate. Loans on farm and City property, gsrsonal security and chattel mortgage uy, sell and rent farms and city property. Farm and city fire insurance Attorneys for AMERICAN BUILDING LOAN AND SAVINGS ASSOCIATION Office over Chicago Department Store RBNSSEIAER. IND. Dr. E. N. Loy HOMEOPATHIST. Office East Side of Court House Square. Phones—Office 89, Residence 169. TELEPHONES Office, 2 on 300 Residence 3 an 300 Dr. F. A. Tuiffer OSTEOPATHIC PHYSICIAN. Graduate American School of Osteopathy. Post. Graduate American School of Osteopathy under the founder, Dr. A. T. SUII. Office Hours —9-12 a. m., 1-5 p. m. Tuesdays and Fridays at MonUceUo, Ind. 1-2 Murray Building * Rensselaer, Ind.

lllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllHlHlHlinillU I Farm Insurance I The Home Insurance Co., ■ s of New York E Surplus to Policy Holders,. ■ 5 ..... $13,682,821.51 £ E Losses paid over One Hundred 2 S Million Dollars E INSURES AGAINST LOSS BY 1 FIRE, LIGHTNING, WIND-STORMS, | AND TORNADOES. : On the Installment, Cash or »■ » Single Note Plan, and refers £ to any of the many thou- s sands who have been prompt- E ly paid for loss by Fire, 2 E Lightning, Wind-storm, or | Tornado, or to any Banker ® or Business Man in America. : THE BEST IS CHEAPEST j INSURE IN THE HOME. I h. D. THOMPSON, Agent I RENSSELAER, IND. E niiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiHtiiT

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Chicago Northwest, Indlanapo'ls, Cincinnati and the South, Louisville and French Lick Springs. RENSSELAER TIME TABLE. In Effect June, 1910. SOUTH BOUND. <o.Sl—Fast Mall 4:46 a. m. No. 6—Louisville Mall (dally) 10:54 a. m. No.33—lnd’polis Mail (daily).. 1:69 p. m. 4o.39—MUk accomm (dally).. 6:03 p. m. No. 3 —Qhi. to Louisvillell:os p.m. NORTH BOUND. * io. 4—Mail (da11y)..,......... 4.69 a.m. N 0.40 —Milk accomm. (daUy) 7:31 a. m. No.33—Rast Mall (dally) 10.06 a. m. No. S—Mail and Ex. (daily).. 3:17 p. m. No.39—Cin. to Chi. Vea. Mail «:M p. m. No. 4 will atop at Rensselaer to let off passengers from points south of Monon, and take passengers for Lowed, Hammond and Chicago. Nos. 31 and 33 make direct conlection at Monon for Lafayette. FRANK J. REED, G. P. A., W. H. McDOEL, Pres, and Gen’l Mgr., CHAS. H. ROCKWELL, Traffic Mgr,, Chicago. W. H. BEAM. Agent Rensselaer.

OFFICIAL DIRECTORY. * CITY OFFICER& Mayor G. F. Meyers Marshal J. K. Davis Clerk Chas. Morlan Treasurer R. D. Thompson Attorney .......Mose Leopold Civil EngineerL. C. Klosterman Fire ChiefJ. J. Montgomery Fire WardenC. B. Stewart Counclimen. Ist Ward George Hopkins 2nd Ward Elzie Grow 3rd Ward Frank Kresler At Large.C. J. Dean, A. G. Catt JUDICIAL. Circuit Judge Charles W. Hanley Prosecuting Attorney Fred Longwell Terms of Court —Second Monday in February, April, September and November. Four week terms. COUNTY OFFICERS.

Clerk... Charles C. Warner Sheriff..... Louis P. Shlrer Auditor.... James N. Leatherman TreasurerJ. D. Allman RecorderJ. W. Tilton SurveyorW. F. Osborne CoronerW. J. Wright Supt Public Schools Ernest Tamson County Assessor..... John Q. Lewis Health OfficerE. N. Loy COMMISSIONERS. Ist District. John Pettet 2nd District Frederick Waymire 3rd District. Charlee T. Denham Commissioners’ Court—First Monday of each month. COUNTY BOARD OF EDUCATION. Trustees Township Wm. Folgar .....Barkuy Charles May.... Carpenter J. W. Selmer Gillam George Parker........ Hanging Grove W. H. Wortley Jordan Tunis Snip Keener John Shlrer Kankakee Edward Parkison .....Marlon George L. ParksMilroy E. J. Lane.... Newton Isaac Kight .Union S. D. Clark Wheatfield Fred KarchWalker Ernest Lamson, Co. Supt ßensselaer E. C. English, Rensselaer James H. Greenßemington Geo. O. Stembel Wheatfield Truant Officer. .C. B. Stewart. Rensselaer TRUSTEES’ CARDS~ Z ■ . ’ •. i JORDAN TOWNSHIP. The undersigned trustee of Jordan Township attends to official business at his residence on the First and Third Wednesday of each month. Persons having business with me will please govern themselves accordingly. Postoffice address, Rensselaer, Ind., R-R-4. W. H. WORTLEY, Trustee. NEWTON TOWNSHIP. The undersigned trustee of Newtoa township attends to official business at his residence on the First and Third Thursdays of each month. Persons having business with me will please govern themselves accordingly. Postoffice address, Rensselaer, Ind., R-R-3. E. P. LAKE, Trustee. UNION TOWNSHIP. The undersigned trustee of Union township attends to official business at his store in Fair Oaks on Fridays of each week. Persons having business with me will please govern themselves accordingly. Postoffice address, Fair Oaks, Indiana. ISAAC KIGHT.

Millions to Loan! We are prepared to take care of all the Farm Loan business In this and adjoining counties at Lowest Rates and Best Terms, regardless of the “financial stringency." If you have a loan coming due or desire a new loan It wIH not be necessary to pay the excessive rates demanded by our competitors. FIVE PER CENT. small commission ■ POTDIMce Irwin & Irwin Odd Fellows Bldg. Rensselaer. 63C9L3LK3C3C3K3C3C3S3CSC3L3C5C5C3C3S3C9S363CS ►♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦♦l FOR SALE 6, 7 or 8 per cent First Mortgages secured by Improved Real Estate worth from three to five times the amount of the mortgage. We collect and remit interest and principal without charge. $2,000,000 in First Mortgage Loans, without one dollar loss, is our record. Write us for map l of Oklahonia and for information concerning our First Mortgage Loans and Oklahoma Alfalfa lands. A. C. FARMER & CO., 208 North Robinson St., Oklahoma City, Okla.