University of South Carolina Libraries
CAMEO By Booth Tarkington and Harry Leon Wilson A COPYKMPT IW, MX THE servant obeyed, picking up the late Colone I Moreau'a green port to no tea a. a ad when she had gooe Miss Randall cried: -Now I know* Now 1 bare found the way r MBut? 1 don't understand." stammer ad Klrby. "I cannot permit you to I MADAM. COLOXKL MOSKAU WOST'T GJLAJIOB MIS PLAXS AO A IN." make any effort on my behalf. And. then, there Is your family"? ??Hnsb?' sbe whispered. "Here comes the family now." Klrby oncoaecloosly started, then drew blmeelf up as tb> door opened, die. losing lime. Davexac, Ann I'ley dell and Aaatole Veeudry. "Aaatole." cried Adele as thty paused, astonished, "we must ask you to glTe up yoar aeat In the carriage. YdS) gas, oar friend baa come, after ail" "Cm friend r echoed af me. Davexac. eagerly forward. "What- - is it i% Yow mean. Adele, that this gaattleman "Yam." cried Adele, ber eyes smolder lag wltb excitement. "Quite possible, aa you sea. Aunt Davexac, Miss IMey- ' M. Anatole Veaudry. 1 wlsb to It?Colonel Mureau. The colo aat'S plane bare changed He rides Wltb as to tbv plantation." "Kb bleu! Delightful." exclaimed Hate Davexac. while the others ex- ' tbelr astonlshmeut and pleas "tbat is.' aba added playfully. wltb an an b glaoce at the pseudo Mo "tf Colonel Morean will not change bis plana again." Accustomed to such astounding turns ?f fortune. Klrby quickly recovered taw composore shattered by the total? ly unexpected aod amaslng Introdue of Adele. "No, madam." be re grarely, bowing to the atlll arch? ly smiling Mine Davexac, "Colonel Bforeao won't change bla plans again." And In this unheralded manner, un awr false colors which bad been hoist ad by the protecting, merciful and Ig aoniTit hand of ooe who bad sbe kaowo bis Identity would have been taw last to act aa bla sav'or, came Oaaaeo Klrby to the bouse o' his ene CHAPTER TUX BflG Journey to the Randall plantation, occupying a full day. marked an ei>och In K.u gene Kirhy's life? n fnct of which from Its m ention he was en ttraly unconsclou* Without a single ?iceptlon it was the first time in fif? teen years that he had been received 00 a footing of equality ?ven inti ry-wltb that hitch type of woman- \ to which bis birth entitled him and which had been forfeited w Bt | In bad yielded to the lure of the river and the wiles of evil companions And. even though he did ted forget that bis it Mtaoding bad been won by of a girl's ready Bjmpathy. the know led 4** dkl not Interfere with a thorough enjoyment and appreciation af the moment Under tb* impresslou that they wer? tntertalning Colonel Moreau. benefae tor and champion of the l; und mi fam tly. Mlaa IMeydeil and Mine i yielded the more readily to Klrh.v* charm of manner, while the General. SWOSClona that be was acting In BOgM mysterious way aa tbe secret and truaty friend of hla hairbreadth escape hero, bung on the latter's every word indeed, a more Impregnable audience would have f,?urwl their entertainer b raatatlble, * a Klrby put forth every effort to p.ease. his payment a laugh from Adele or a flush in lei i ile cheek HaW were bis efforts prompted by ego Ism, any longing for self exploitation; rather. In fact, they were spontaneous, a tr ibute to t lo- . <hh ? I ?rtune. uhl-h graciously associated him with a of femininity which ho had long rj to me#?t and despaired of so doing. Tbua. with its four occupants In the if fistne of mind and on the of terms, I ho roomy, close topped KIRBY Adapted From the Play of. the Same Name by W. B. N. Ferguson AIKSLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY 1 ?^?M?SS?> '?'?'?'??? carnage, its sleepy negro driver mo? notonously clucking at the horses, jog? ged placidly over the sunlit roads, while Anatole Veaudry. riding gloom? ily behind, winced whenever he heard Adele's fresh and care free laughter. It was an unwonted souud. and more than once he caught himself comment? ing that It was as unwelcome. Meanwhile Klrby's good angel?If a professional gambler may he permit? ted to own .one?was in another direc? tion looking after bis interests with onabated zeal, postpoulng his exposure and consequeatly prolonging his In? timacy with the Randalls. It must be remembered that only Tom Randall and his cousin Aaron bad met Colonel Morenu. and thus Kir by's exposure as an impostor could only come from these two. The hot headed, vengeful boy was still busy scouring New Orleans for his supposed enemy, and thus his presence at the planta? tion would be indefinitely postponed Lntil he had either succeeded in track? ing Kirby or had abandoned all hope of so doing. On the other hand, however, Aaron, heeding his cousin's wishes, had ac? companied (Aoup to the plantation, where he confidently expected to find Judge Pleydell, who had preceded him thither; but. learning on his arrival ttat the latter had ridden over to his plantation, Aaron Immediately follow? ed. It so bappeued, however, that Juc'ge Pleydell, completing his errand, had returned to the Randalls and, tak? ing a short cut through a lane which connected the two estates, unwitting? ly passed Aaron, who had followed the highroad. Thus when Kirby and the ladles eventually arrived the old Judge, supported by a Jubilant crowd of ne? gro field hands and domestic servants, was the only one to welcome tbem. Standing on the steps of the wide veranda while she swung her bonnet by Its strings. Adele, smiling and flush? ing by turns, boldly introduced the pseudo Moreau to her family's old friend. "Colonel Moreau, this is Indeed a happy aud propitious occasion," warm? ly responded the judge, while he shook Kirby by the hand. "And never in my life have 1 seen so delightful and wel? come an alteration as is apparent in the health and spirits of the young mistress of this plantation. What is the magic secret to account for ao great a change since last evening?" "Ah. It was the ride!" demurely sug? gested his daughter, glancing from Adele to Kirby. "The ride!" echoed Mme. Davezac 'Mais?non. It was that charming Colouel Moreau. 1 think he brings the sunshine we have been waiting for so long." j While the others, with the exception of the moody and des|x?ndent M. Veau? dry. entered the house. Adele, offering the excuse that she wished to see her roses again, sought flower basket and scissors aud, accompanied by the In? domitable Kirby, repaired to the gar deu. Anatole watching them with broody, longing eyes. Presently he became aware that an? other was as Interested as himself, and. turning, be found Croup at bis ' elbow. The old serving man contin ued for some time to silently scan Klrby's retreating figure. "Who you say were dat genaman's name, Marse Anatole?" he at length Inquire^] "Colonel Moreau." abstractedly re plied M. Veaudry. "Ves. seh. Yes. seh." acknowledged Croup. "Dat's dV name what he done give. Yes. seh." Hut he was far from satisfied and. still shaking his head ami mumbling to himself, returned in doors. Certainly neither Kirby nor Croup?quondam servant and youthful master?had the n tnotest Idea that, after a separation of so many years, they had finally met. Meanwhile Aaron Randall bad re? turned from his abortive mtsstoil only to learn that the elusive Judge Pley dell had again left, this time to ride over to the steamboat landing for ex pecbsl letters. Hut Adele's elderly cous? in was too excited la longer trouble himself concerning Jhe Judge's erratic movements, for he had learned that Colonel Moreau had. after all, accom? panied the ladies and was at that very moment with Adele in the garden "Why. then." lie exclaimed to M Veaudry. who gad been his Informant, "this cgn mean only one thing Cameo Kirby Is dead!" And he tersely relat ed the meeting at the oaks even down to the detail of Moreau taking the late John Randall's pistol "Tom secretly followed the colonel." he finished, "and IfS devilish strange he dldu't return with him I don't understand It." Hut M. Veaudry was only thinking Of this added advantage w hb h his rival had gained in the eyes of Adele. "Ah. he has one more privilege?I have to envy him!" he exclaimed. "1 see aS l.s a fSal Ig OH u and d SI M"! boast Abo It is that he would not wish |bS ladles t<. know. I shall seek opportunity to congratulate mm when L<? Is not In their presancs, 1 should not think it honor of me to be stow with my NHcttStloaa Ah. I shall do It now." lie laraad m Klrbj emerged from i the garden. Adele having halted some distance down the path. "1 have Just learn, air," began Ana tole, with a bow, "of the great privi? lege you have had today. We know by the pleasure to see you alive that there is one great scoundrel which is not." "Who's that?" asked Klrhy. lighting a cheroot. "I offer you congratulation," pur sued the young creole formally and rather stiffly, "that you have earn the gratitude of all good people." "What for?" "Because you have the honor to kill that Cameo Kirby." The other with perfect composure gruvely eyed his cheroot, while he suc? cessfully concealed all evidence of any other feeling. "Well." he said courteously, "I al? ways hoped that nobody but myself would kill that fellow. 1 suppose many have wished to, but they didn't have my luck." "But most I congratulate you. M. le Colonel," finished Anntole. his voice tremulous with emotion, "is that you have earn so much gratitude? here," making an eloquent gesture toward the house. This time Klrby could not conceal his astonishment. "Ami why should that have tented Be so much gratitude ?here?" he asked bluntly, Imitating the other's gesture. Before M. Veaudry could reply Adele had joined the group. "Anatole has presented you to the colonel'." she inquired, turning to her couslu. Then, heedless of his evident amazement, she gayly continued, turn? ing to Kirby : "This is our good cousin Aaron. Aaron, you will be glad to kuow that this gentleman is Colonel Moroau. I have the honor to present you." "Colonel Moreau!" gasped Aaron, aghast. "Why?why?1 met Colonel Moreau?this morning!" Adele started and paled as, too late, she fully realized the truth. But Kir? by remained the same coufteous. ami? able and cere free gentleman of the carriage, while he eyed Aaron steadi? ly. "Does it seem to you that 1 have changed since we last met?" he bland? ly inquired "Perhaps you would hardly know me for the same man? In fact, if Miss Adele hadn't told you that I nra Colonel Moreau you would not have believed it? But you take her word for it. don't you?" After a long, tense silence the bewil? dered Aaron gravely Inclined his head, saving, "Yes, I take her word." "Ah, I thought so," gently comment? ed Kirby. and, bowing, he joined Miss Pleydell and the General in the gar? den. "Cousin Aaron." said Adele earnest? ly, "I did introduce that gentleman as Colonel Moreau. I know just what 1 am doing. 1 ask you to trust me until Tom comes, because I ought to tell him first. Will you do It?" And. again. Aaron, after a momentary strug? gle, assented. When the girl had rejoined Kirby in the garden, M. Veaudry. who had been an interested spectator of the little tableau, exchanged with his compan? ion a significant glance of grave sus? picion. "He Una1 have changed quickly, this colonel, since you saw him this morn l?g,*1 he commented dryly. "1 think But who is this gentleman?" turning to confront Larkin Bunco, who, mop ping his inflamed face with a dusty sleeve, had thrown himself from his weary horse and boldly entered the gate. In fact, he had ridden at a breakneck pace all the way from New Orleans. "Your servant, sir," he greeted, bow? ing to Aaron. "I'm lookln' for the. gentleman who come here In the car? riage with the ladies." "Ah," exclaimed Mr. Randall, close? ly scanning the other, "you're the gen "BFCAUSBYOU II AVK TUB HONOR TO KILL TliAT CAMEO K I Kl. V. " tleman who came to see Colonel Mo? reau this morning. l>o you wish to see him DOW?" Bunce started violently, turning as pale as his overheated conditiou per? mitted. "Coed Qod, no!" he exclaim? ed. "But it was Colonel Moteau who accompanied the ladles." explained Aaron. "And. sir, here he Is now." The old gambler turned with u sub? dued exclamation of alarm, as if fully expecting lo see the gnoet of the late lamented Moreau. But instead his startled eyes met those of his partner, who, hemming softly to himself, was calmly approaching, a white camellia in his hand. "Come, cheer up, Mr. Bunco. I hopt1 1 sec you well,'' greeted Kirby. Then, politely turning t<? Aaron, he added: "Mr. Bonce Ii confused. His long ride in the he.it has been loo much for him. Mr. Bunco is my secretary. He looks robust, but la, in fact, very delicate. Might I m far ires pa as upon your boe pltelltj ii le beg i coollug draft for Aaron bowed gravoh end, ?ccontpo i niod by M. Veaudry. retired Indoors. They bad hardly left arbeu Bunce'a long repressed emotion overcame hint. "A eoolin' draft." he echoed, with violent scorn. "1 want a drink, and let it be strong, friend I always knowed you was a fool, dene Kir? by, but I never knowed it was as bad as tlua All the names in the "IT WAS THI ANOrij OF CHANCE WHO GAVE Ml THI IAMB." Wv,rld to pick from, and you chose the Dame of Jack Moreau! Why, dog my cats!' "Chance, Larkln, chance," returned Kirby, quite unmoved, "it was the angel of chance who gave me the name." "Angels? Angels?" caught up the other, his voice faint with the violence of his sarcasm. "Darned if I ain't lost my hearin*. I'll be dogged if 1 ain't delirious. Skin me if it don't seem like I'm scttin* out in a garden and beariu' Gene Kirby talkin' about angeJs. It sounded jest like his voice. 'Angels,' he says. II im?Cameo Kirby! Poor old Gene Kirby! Why. you mush brained chucklehead." he finished an? grily, "don't you know that Tom Ran? dall's been raisin* h? all over NOO Or? leans, try in' to run you down?" "Well, what of it?" Bunco, making a gesture eloquent of despair, feebly sought the garden seat and mopped his Inflamed face anew. "He asks me what of that." he wailed to the surrounding scenery. "You pore, wanderin' lunatic! You know blame well that of all places ou earth this is the last you should have tum? bled into. Now," with sudden energy and decision, "git ready ?o git out quick! My boss is dead boat, but git your angel to loan you one aud slope for the river. I'll catch you up at Natchez." But Kirby calmly refused the prof? fered riding whip. "What's all the reason 1 shouldn't stay here?" he demanded. "Why should 1 expect danger from these people?Mme. Davezac. a Miss Pley dell and ber father, a creole named Veaudry and a Miss Adele"? "Miss Adele who?" bellowed Buuce. "I dou't know. That's all I've heard them call her." Here the fates again intervened in the name of procrastination, for before Buuce could inform his partner that he was the guest of the family which, thanks to the efforts of Colonel Mo? reau. was his sworn enemy the ladiei> entered, and to the fleshy gambler's infinite disgust, anger aud misery he was again promptly introduced by Kir? by as "my secretary." Moreover, de? spite his utmost efforts he eventually found himself pledged to remain the night. "But 1 dursn't do it, ma'am," he had expostulated to the smiling and in- j domitable Mme. Davezac. "Me and Kirby?I mean me and Colonel Mo? reau got to git right out of here. There's some mighty pressin' business wnitln' for us?'specially for him. ma'am." "Ah. but you will make pos'pouethat business," she returned. "I've al? ready had your horse taken to the sta? bles. Colonel Moreau. be says he will do us the honor to dine with us and remain the night, and that decides it. | You are his friend and secretar'? So I shall see you at dinner, M. Bunce. Croup, the gentleman's room." And Lirkln, making an uncouth bow, swallowed his curses and followed the old servant. Passing Kirby, he breath? ed scornfully. "If 1 was some people I'd find out more about other people." I Alone with Adele, Kirby leaned against the old sundial and attentively watched her deftly urrange In the bas? ket her freshly gathered buuch of flowers. "Your friend evidently thinks you j are not safe here." she said at length. "But you won't go? 1 ? 1 know you j are safe here." "I doubt it," he calmly interrupted. "Why?" sharply, looking ap with startled, wounded eyes. "Because you are giving mo a longer j time to remember your kindness than I I expected, and I'D) afraid I'm finding that that Isn't the safest thing in the world for me." "Great danger in that, sir?" she gay ly asked. He joined in her laugh, but his eyes were half serious. "People who play with fire" "Ah. but I don't believe you are a coward, sir. Of what was your friend afraid?" "Well, mainly he seemed disturbed because I didn't know your name." smiled Kirby. "But you do." "Pardon. I don't. This Is the first time I've been alone with you since we Started. I've only heard you called 'Miss Adele.' 1 don't even know whose plantation this is." "Neither?do we," she added sadly. "I?I want to show you something." And, as if yielding to a sudden Im? pulse, she unfastened from about her Deck a jeweled miniature and handed replied Kirby, ' she con! Inued the miniature it to her cotnpanlon. Kirby Instantly recognized it as a portrait of the late John Randall, and in a breath the full significance of Bunco's observations came to him. Amazed, he looked from the miniature to Adele, then to the house and back again to her. Observing his emotion, she whispered. "You knew my fa ther?" "I met him?once." taking a deep breath. "I was proud of him steadily, refastening about her neck, "and I am not the less proud of him now. You have beard how he died? Then you understand why we do not know whose plantat'on this is: that we hold it at the mercy of?Cameo Kirby." She dragged forth the name with an accent and gesture of unspeakable fear and loathing. "Your brother took Moreau's word for what happened that night, didn't he?" asked Kirby steadily. "Certainly. Had not Colonel Moreau shown himself my father's friendV" she returned. "It seems to me that Moreau's word has gone for a good deal with your family," he commented, with veiled bitterness. "And why not? Do we need any one's word upon a notorious adven? turer who lives by gambling," she asked, with some asperity, "any one's word upon a creature who preyed upon the weakness of a good man like my father?" "But has it ever occurred to you," he returned quietly, "that possibly this Kirby might never intend to claim the plantation"? "No! No!" she interrupted vehe? mently, shaking her head. "He is too infamous. But I don't want to think of him today. A change has come over me. and?and somehow the world is a different place"? She stopped and then, with Hushed cheeks and hur? ried breath, added: "I feel as if I had boon living a long time in the shad? ows?shadows full of darkness and ugly thought But it has lifted today somehow. 'V it is it?" She turned, asking the question with wondering eyes, her face transfigured. "YOU KNEW MY FATHER?" And as if the heavens, bearing out her statement, offered a sign which pre? saged future peace aud happiness, a surcease from all tribulation and suf? fering, the final and complete oblitera? tion of the shadows of the past, t.i" homing suu, peeping from over the dis< taut house, bestowed its last caress upon Adele Randall, transforming her somber dress into one ot gayety aud splendor. True to M. Veaudry's proph? ecy, it appeared as if her long affected mourning was to be at length discard? ed; but, contrary to that gentleman's long cherished hopes, his was not the personality to induce the metamor? phosis. CHAPTER IX. |VEX a'more obtuse and inex? perienced man than Eugene Kirby would not have failed 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 co? quette, who sought to pander to van? ity or who considered all men the play thlugs of an idle hour. It was not so much Adele's words as her manner, which betrayed a frank liking and In? terest, which, despite his modest argu? ments 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 rap? idly passing through the various stages of liking aud interest, heading straight for that inevitable climax which Is dignified by the term love. It) view of th;* fact that he had already arrived there ami had made every effort to as? sist her toward the same goal, the present misgivings and self censure which now assailed him were decided? ly 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 sigus that It was answering he was dismayed. In the flush of his new and welcome experience he had forgotten his calling, his reputation?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 fig ttro ami bad promptly plunged head over heels in love. Kirby's thorough if tardy self ecu BUre, however, was hardly justified, for be had made no conscious efforts to enlist Adele's regard, and their mil tual attraction had been as instan teueous and spontaneous as it w.ts n.it lirai and to be expo led. liul t be knowledge of her Identity had uwak? ened him to n livelj souse ?o* ins (rue position, aud, although he was far from ht'tiitu Hie < H iiitiivi win ti .\\<t reuu bad pi lured and Adele believed him. bin regard for ti r . leurly showed him that by remaining b<? wtnt jeopard? izing bet ttiture \n*m e uud bn|?piiiemi. lie muni save her iroui nenwtf und from him ami. du matter bow diUiculi it wouid prove, kill bar dawning inter* est. which naturally was baaed imi the supposition Ibttt Ue was a gentleman privileged to seen late with oue of her stand lug. Killed with tbfsi resolut loa. he now turned and said: "Miss Randall, you've beea kinder to nie than any woman ever was Vou saved my life this morning. Bat my friend is right I'd better go. Already you've helped me more than you ought." Instantly the angelic, wrapt expres? sion was sponged from her face. and. astonished, almost angry, .she turned upon him. "Why'r 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 t'aat 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. "No. I was never afraid of a man," he admitted quietly. "But I am afraid of "Of me?" she whispered interpreting the pause. "Yes," be said simply. , Her eyes battled to meet his own, but every elf ort proved futile, and at length, coloring vividly, she sought the garden sea!, naif 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," be continued, bending toward her, while he smiled half cyn? ically, "that the bad prince always keeps following the beautiful princess, and of course she always tiuds him out. Now. it looks to me like a weak? ness in his character that he doesn't quit before she has the chance to. in my opinion, he's a fool to take the risk." Her answer came tremulously, but withal brave and to the point. "1 suppose 1 could find a story in which she would waut him to take the Chance? Now?now. are you goi^g to stay?" turning and looking up. half daringly, Into his eyes. "1 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. throw? ing the camellia on the bench, b? res olutely offered his hand. But she ignored the hand and picked up the discarded flower. "Not yet. not yet," she whispered. "There is Ann calling me, aud I must dress for dinner. But 1 shall expect to see you again before you leave. You will wait here? You may tell nie goodby then?if you wish to." He bowed, seating himself dejected? ly 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 im? palpable mass. It seemed as if the dis? appearance of the suu and Adele bad been coincident, productive of the same effect. Without warning the day's work seemed to be clamoring for toll, demanding more than Kirby own? ed. He felt weary, spent, utterly for? saken and aloue. the bleak aud barren future stretching interminably before him. Hostage of bis bitter humor, be was oblivious to the fact that the old negro. Croup, watching his opportu? nity, had stoleu from the bouse and was now regarding him fixedly, and be started when at length the other tim? idly ventured to address him. "Marse, yo' scuse me, sab. Could yo' be so 'bliciu' 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 fa? vored in de profyle. but it must 'a' been a long time since yo' was here, kase 1 don't place yo' das right, spe? cially by de name, sab." "I have never been here before," re? plied Kirby truthfully. "Well. 1 'slab ole Croup got a rack bis wool some, kase I knows yo' face as well as I knows my own. 1 bet I ain't goin' to get to sleep a wink tonight try in' to 'membeo whah it was I know yo', sah." Amused by the other's evident per? plexity. 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 behiud outstanding ears. "What yo' say. sah?' he cried. "BlaSS God. 'LIT Marse Come Cheer I p!' it's done come to> me. If* Marse Gene Kirby" "8-xb! Don'i call :ue that.' warned the other, juiUidng to bis feet. "No. sal, i uou*l sa.\ tiui name no nur." replied Croup with an etTort re straining uis excitement aud pleasure " "i was your own pa done rlz me. sah. an yo ?.tu iruai me clean thro., to do hone I'm Croup, wh.it done knowed yo' was in' niarse. Bui waat yo' doin' here? 'Taint safe. Dey das nacbally goin* to kill yo', Marse Gene. Honey, yo* must git off'u die land as qufs k as y o' kin." " Thank you for the warning, Croup," paid Kirby. offering his hand. "But don't you w<'tr\ about me. I'm going Can you gel two horses for me? Goad! Have Jhem saddled and bring then: around on the road." (To Be Continued.) The Clinchfield railroad has beet bio. ked by a mountain sliding ilowr and burj Ing the tr.u k.