University of South Carolina Libraries
CAMEO By Booth Ttrkington and Harry Leon Wilson Jk COTTSJOIT M#9. BV 1 As the old serving man ambled away Lsrkln Bunce appeared. The plethoric gambler wss thoroughly miserable with hie surroundings *?nd bad decid? ed to make a last appeal to his part "Praise the Lord." he began ear try, "that tee nigger's given yon eaougb to see tost you've got to / Tf \ J I DOWT CALL HM THAT." go. You know where you sre now, 4ont yon? 1 hesrd yon ask?r,' for horses. Well, yon kite for ihe river. Pm too fat to keep op. but I'll ketch you later on. Come. Ws csn't get off tee soon." "1 caa't leave until I've seen libra Baodall." replied Klrby. with quiet inallty. "1 have told her that I would wait for her here.* "Why. you goah a'mighty Idiot!" ex? ploded Bunce. "Don't you know Tom aii-f ell's lieble to be here sny minute gad - posse with him? If 1 could you out here from Noo Orlesns, kin, ksln't be? Ain't you ever goln' quit doln' these reckless, fool i? Surely you sln't reached your of life without knowln* what a mesas when ehe says 'Walt a ?.' and abs didn't even say that. Ton ksln't wslt for her. I tell you." "I d wslt for her till the Lord quit snaking minutes," replied Klrby. "When ehe comee I'll go." Once more Bunce helpless*.y appeal si to in Invisible sndlence for pity, der compassion, at his thus being asso? ciated with an utter lunatic. ?Ton pore lost soul!" he finally groaned. "Do you think I don't know what's the matter with you? 1 seen iook st her. Whet business have got hangln' around a lady, even If pen wouldn't git shot for Just comln' here? Whst chance hsve you got with e lady snywsy? Ain't there wo gees enough In the wor d? Tou know no lady would have snythlng to do ? With our kind. Tou got no business"? ' "1 don't hurt ber If I only look at her. do IT snspped Klrby, whirling ?HI bis partner In sudden passion. j mm\j Ood. If s msn's been outside the wall* for years yon csn't blame hla ' far wanting to look st the flowers s selnote if he gets Into the garden some day. Thst csn't harm them." ?^Oene. do you know you're crasy yourself?" sadly pronounced Bunco, with s shske of the besd. "They ssy them loonies do know It sometimes. And s nice, crasy turn you done me, too, tying me up here with folks like these." be added, with vehement re? proach as full realisation of his many wrongs overcame blm. "You know I never had oothln' to ssy to no ladles, sad as soon ss I ever see one 1 choke up. end my neck gets hot sod my ears grt red. Interduced me ss his secre? tary." sgsln sppesllng to the Invisible audience "Wsugh! Secretary! I'd snake s b? of s secretsry. wouldn't It Come on. Oene. Pry yourself lasse from sll this darn foolishness before it's too late"? ?Tee si reedy given yon my deci tnterrupted Klrby. with some rrlty. "But Lsrkln. don't let ray affairs detain you." Bunce. sfter s farewell Invocation of heavens, resigned himself to the ttable end, eestlng himself on toe Ion eeet. proceeded to pick bis teeth, while be fastened a plaintive eipectant eye on the distant The partners eet In moody ellence for some time until et length their treeries were Interrupted by the ad sent of Judge Pleydell. Mr. Hsndsll and M Veaudry. The jmu-e bed but returned from the etesroboat landing, nnd ss bs eppmacbed the occupants of the garden seet his expression wss ef so serious a charscter thst Bunce. seer on the lookout for trouble, now scented dancer and. nudgttig his com? panion lumped to his feet. But Kir by. though wary eveil. remained out? ward It eool and entirely self |M?ssess sd and. embracing this aOaeOU sent opportunity of further aggravating his partner, ptomptly Introduced the 1st ter as "my aecr< ??Colon? I Moroni, sir," began the jn?V'e ?<?mewli Ished :it the fe roclty <>f Mr hunce's bow, "I have tho it astonishing piece of news for KIRBY Adapted From the Play of the Same Maine by W. B. M. Ferguson AEMSLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY X ee?e^eeje#?#e#e#e#e#e#e#e#eai you. What would you say If 1 told you that you bad no right to be here at all irj-r At Pleydell, preserving his stern de meaner, laid a hand on Klrby's shoul? der his companions exchanged startled and significant glances, while Mr Bunco grew spologetlc and edged nearer his partner. All eyes were now on Kirby. but his expression of uiiM 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 bis bnowy mustache, sll 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 of the interested audi? ence who appeared to sppreclate the full humor of the situation. "When is my funeral?" he asked, with a smile. "1 don't want to miss that." His composure somewhat recovered, hut. still chuckling and occasionally go log off Into another spasm of laughter, the judge proceeded to explain the manner In which he had gained the Interesting Information. "The sfternoon steamer does not stop. sir. and I am obliged to row out in a boat to get my letters. The news waa shouted to us from the deck as she moved away. All 1 could catch was the words, 'Colonel Moreau dead, and 1 think they added. 'This mom lng.' The dlstsnce 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 gullelessness and Innocence had not entirely deserted mankind when the serpent entered Eden. But It was apparent that Mr. Ran? dall and M. Veaudry owned more dis? cernment and that their quick suspi? cions, previously aroused, had now be? come active, pregnant with danger. It so happened that they were now aug? mented by none other than the Gen? eral, 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 band and again at bis breast the General suddenly exclaimed: "1 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 lu a treasured evening gown of white satin purchased In Paris before the long shadow had descended upon the family fortunes. She was deter? mined to look her best that night and la this feminine maneuver was enthu? siastically supported by her aunt and Aun Pleydell, who. If they did not suspect the cause, were entirely hap py with the result, for they had long been urging the girl to discard the morbid preoccupation and settled mis? ery which had threatened to Bap vi? tality, embitter life; anxiously sought and hoped for some means of trans? forming her into the girl she once had been. It now appeared as If their most op? timistic desires had materialized, for It had been many a long day since Adele bsd evinced such anxious csre snd pride In her toilet assumed the necessary duty with such lightsome heart and eager, feverish fingers. With pardonable vanity she closely scanned her reflection In the mirror. seeking a blemish and finding It not. Indeed, ber toilet finished, the result more tbsn Justified her elaborate and careful preparation. As s finishing touch she pinned In her coiffure the white ramellls which Kirby had dis? carded, and. conscious thst she bad done her very best In this important detail of her maneuver, she repaired to the veranda, accompanied by Mine Darezac 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 tittle apart from tlN oth? ers, their attitude eloquent of hostile suspicion. A pregnant silence had mic ceeded the General's exclamation, a silence btetHl It length by a tettSO whisper from Flu nee. "Come. (Jene." he urged, catching the other's arm. "The hoy Ins let It out Look at that man's fare." Indl eating Aaron K nidnll Kirh.v godded Imperceptibly while be calmly petted the Genernl'fl bead "Gentlemen," be seid, bowing to th etfceta, *1 regret 1 am taking my leave. 1 only wait to nay gi mTI miss Randall" "Who Is It speaks of IomvIi????'" denly demanded Adeie's n i n and, turning, they all saw the Im watching them from the >?> "Colonel Moreau." Added lilt* in lng down ihe steps and np| KIrby, while Mine l>a\e/u aii IMeydell echoed her protests, not think of leaving I'Inner - and your place at table Is nexi hi Will you give me your arm'''" sun np Into his eyes. The full slpnlheanee of bei cbai e of attire, the delicate but overwhelm* lng eonpllmeui paid by the whde ? a mellia and the message it umiel\ ? -n veycd. the treat honor shown btm. ihe overpowering appeal which I his new. wondrous, resplendent Adele made to Bis already captive seuses, wiped otll In a breath all Kirby's hitherto ada? mantine resolutton and fixity of pur pose, obliterated all thoughts ot the future or care for his preaeul danger "1 HAVJS 'U\K MOHT ^aTO?NDINO PIBOB OP NBWS POK TOO." "Now git to ihose bosses." Implored Bunce, sensing that bis partner was In peril of yielding dominion to this fern Inine appeal. "Git to the bosses. Gene." "Hang the horses!" cried Klrby reck? lessly. "I'm going to dinner with a lady.*' Throwing whip and bat on the gar? den seat, be bowed to Adele and of? fered his arm. while Larkln Bunce. In? wardly raging at this new and sublime act of lunacy, turned helplessly to his sympathetic but Invisible audience. CHAPTER X. UE in a great measure to Kir? by's and Adeie's high spirits, which in footed all but three members of the company, the dinuer in bouor of Colonel Moreau was au entire success and. In fact, could not have been surpassed hud that unfortunate gentleman himself been present. Judge IMeydell. believ? ing that he was assisting to entertain oue who by championing the cause of the Handalls, while at the same time ridding the community of the notori? ous Cameo Klrby. had earned his last? ing esteem and gratitude, told his best stories In his happiest vein, and Mine. Davezac. together with Ann Pleydell, suffering under the same delusion, put forth every effort to charm, even going to the length of heartily applauding the Judge's most venerable and moth ravaged yarns. No mean raconteur himself. Klrby ransacked his vast store of persoual experience for interesting topics of conversation that would bear rehearsat in the present company, and even Bunce. finally and unwillingly drawn by some mysterious spell into the vor? tex of small talk, carefully selected, as befitted a "secretary," the least in? nocuous of his many escapades and ventured to couflde it to the demure ear of his dinner partner. Miss IMey? dell. This heroic action of the old river gambler?for he was desperate? ly embarrnssed at the honor shown him and thoroughly cognizant what must be the inevitable and tragic end? ing of his partner's reckless action Is sufficient testimony to the fact that the preoccupied manner of M. Veau dry, coupled with Mr. Randall's grave silence and studied courtesy toward Klrby, had no effect upou the spirits of the company. If, Indeed, their de? meanor was even noted by the ma? jority. Before entering the house the two gentlemen In question had come to an understanding regarding the status of their guest, concurring lu the opinion that he was Impersonating the gentle mau In whose honor the dinner had been planned But Anron alone had found a sinister significance In the General's observation to the effect that Klrby wore a quantity of cameos, and, although he lacked authentic evidence upon which to erect his suspicions, wlille likewise granting that It was an ?Baaing and unbelievable action for one to deliberately walk into thebfnise of his enemies, he vaguely sensed that the paeudo Colonel Moreau WSI none other than Ihe notorious Eugene. Kir bjr. Still. Aaron Randall was a jtflCtly Just and upright man. who wr s fully aware of the many ?Times committed In the name of circumstantial evi? dence. Slow to pronounce Judgment he was quick to net when once assur? ed thai In no sense would justice be violated Moreover. Adele. In whose Integrity and force of character he had the firmest belief and for whom he had the highest regard and proof of whose acumen he had had ample testimony, vouched for the Imposture and even confessed complicity if not actual initiative in the same. In the absence of Tom Randall she was ab? solute mistress, with the right to aet as she deemed fit, and had. mrreover. exacted his word of honor that he would trust her until the arrival of her brother. Even had he been satis fled with -he truth of his conjectures regarding Klrby's Identity this prom tse to Adele would have pledged Aaron to secrecy, and M. Veaudry, be? ing subsequently acquainted with the compact, likewise agreed that it could not be violated. For the young Creole this passive role was extremely difficult, and it was eloquent proof of his self com? mand and personal Integrity, coupled with those refined instincts bestowed by gentle birth and breeding, that he considered Aaron's promise equally binding upon himself and, repressing all promptings of jealousy, refrained from denouncing Kirby as an impos? tor. The successful suit of an honora? ble rival would have been ditticult enough to recognize, but this encroach? ment of a stranger who at the best was a masquerader if not a character i more sinister and disreputable was In- I tolerable, for M. Veaudry had gath? ered from Mr. Randall's manner that ! he suspected their guest of beir.^ guilty of something more criirinal than assuming a name to whic!i he had uo right. Thus, even while the young creole and Aaron prayed that Tcm Randall's arrival would be hastened and coinci? dent with it free vent could be given to their suspicions, Larkln Bunce ear? nestly hoped to the contrary?hoped that Kirby would suddenly realize his danger, growing the more deadly and certain as every minute passed, and would ride for the river before the coming of Nemesis. But evidently nothing was more re? mote from that reckless young gentle? man's Intention, for. unmindful of his partner's increasing uneasiuess and that both were the object of watchful, hostile eyes, he continued to act as if time and opportunity had been created solely for Adele and himself. Dinner finally at au end. he and his young hostess, entirely absorbed in each oth? er's society, sought the drawing room balcony, while the others, with the ex ception of Bunce. indulged in a game of piquet. M. Veaudry proving a wretched partner, his entire attention being occupied with the couple on the balcony. M. Veaudry, owing to his preoccu? pation, proving such a thankless part? ner, Mme. Davezac at last turned to Bunce and suggested that he and Kir? by join the game in lieu of the young creole and the judge. "Eh. truly, Anatole," she added, with some asperity, tapping the other's arm with her fan. "you cannot keep your mind on the game, and so we are un? able to play. Will you surrender your place to Colonel Moreau?" "It seems to me that 1 have already done that" he respouded gloomily. With as good grace as possible yield? ing to the dictates of courtesy. Kirby unwillingly terminated his tete-a-tete with Adele, and as he approached the card table his place was promptly pre? empted by the young Creole, who fol? lowed Miss Randall to the balcony. It was the first time he had been alone with Adele, and bis long repressed emotion and bitterness found vent. "Ah. mamzelle, it Is true," he said reproachfully. "You are changed?so quickly. Yes, you will say 1 wanted to see you happier, but 1 also had wished to be the one to make you so. Adele." he added earnestly, striving to take her hand. "If this difference Id you comes only from the gratitude you feel to?to Colonel Moreau because he tried to protect your father I shall be happy. But bow have this man be? witched you that"? "I don't understand you, Anatole." she said quietly, drawing away. "'Tis I that do not understand you. Adele. I think you know from the first he is not Colonel Moreau. I have some very strange suspicion of him." Instantly the woman in her was up In arms, seeking to defend, eager to do battle for the object it sought to shield. "It is enough that I know he Is a man who has had a great wrong done him. That's one way of making a woman believe that you love her? when she's trying to help some one in trouble, make It harder for her?be Jealous." she finished, with a bitter laugh. "I am Jealous?I do not deny that But I am. first of all things, a man of honor." he said quietly enough, al? though white with anger. His voice trembled with emotion as he added, with simple dignity: "Do you think a man of honor have suspicion of a rival only because he Is jealous? Do you think I would suspect him only for that?" *i can't discuss It with you." she re? turned coldly. Leaning on the balco? ny railing, she promptly became ab? sorbed In the wonders of the ulght Recognizing the sign of dismissal, he yet hesitated, miserably conscious that he had offended, but still feeling |ustlfied In the position he bad as? signed, still holding that those emo? tions which had prompted his words were but natural, impersonal and sin? cere. It was his right to protect the girl he loved from the wiles of a name? less adventurer, of whose integrity he had the gravest doubts. It was his right to protect her from herself, for. deny It as she might. It was all too bitterly apparent that this debonair Impostor had succeeded where others had failed and that .'dele had discard et all sorrow with her mourning and was yielding to a fascination that he firmly believed would prove her ruin. While he still hesitated, afraid to make an enemy of the girl he loved, yet stubborn in his resolution to thwart Kirby, Aaron Randall, suspect? ing some such controversy as had tak? en place, joined them cn the balcony, and Anatole, with evident relief, turn? ed again to Adele. "Mademoiselle, here is your cousin. He will not be thought to be jealous," he said gravely, "l ask him to tell you what he will not tell me. I ask. aim to tell you what he thinks abont this gentleman." "Cousin Aaron." replied ihe girl, turning and confronting the two from whom she had most to fear, "In my brother's absence you respect my au? thority here do you not? Very well, then. My introduction of this gentle? man as Colonel Moreau is enough for you." "It must be. Cousin Adele," replle/j Aaron, evidently greatly perplexed and troubled. "And 1 am responsible for my ac? tions only to my brother," added the girl, looking directly at M. Veaudry. He flushed under the scrutiny of her eyes and the significant inflection of her voice. "In his absence I would protect you. I would act for him," he protested des? perately. "You may when youS^have his au? thority. Until then I bid you adieu." And. with an elaborate courtesy and pleasant smile, she vanished through "i CAN'T DISCUSS IT WITH YOU," SHE SAID COLDLY. the window, while the gentlemen re? mained on the balcony, a prey to the most disquieting thoughts. "You see how she have change--In this one day?with him." bitterly ex? claimed Anatole, pointing through the open window to where in a distant corner of the room Kirby sat at the card table. Mr. Randall merely nod? ded and gloomily chewed his cheroot. ! He was facing a difficult problem and praying for the arrival of young Ran? dall. Presently from the music room there came the subdued harmony of a guitar and harp, and when the soft prelude had finished Adele's fine contralto took up the theme, singing. "1 sent thee late i a rose wreath, not so much honoring thee." It was Klrby's favorite song, snatches of which Anatole had heard the other bumming at intervals since his arrival. Clearer, sweeter, purer Bounded the words until the music as? cended like an anthem and came steal? ing out of the window to mingle with the soft murmur of the night, ro blend j with the unheard, far distant harmony of the stars. Anatole stood transfixed, a prey to the bitterest emotions to j which man was ever hostage. I "You hear-?" he cried passionately, turning to Aaron. "For the first time since how long? Now she wear no more black. Now she is no more si? lent. Now she sing, not for her broth? er, not for those who love her, not for me ? j j "No; it's for Colonel Moreau." fin I Ished the older man, throwing away his cigar. I The creole laughed harshly, contemp ' tuously, bis black eyes snapping with passion. "For 'Colonel Moreau?' 1 dare you?look me In the face and say that man is Colonel Moreau," wav? ing a trembling hand to the window. I "I shall tell you nothing," replied Aaron sternly. "No matter what 1 sus? pect, 1 don't know. And 1 won't let a man be killed until I do know." ' "When you met this man you did not know him," said Anatole, with slow significance. "I think to myself?who can he be? I make a guess and an? other guess and another guess, but l , am not sure." "Exactly," commented Mr. Randall. I with some sharpness. "There you are. j You are not sure. Neither am 1. There is nothing to do but to await i Tom Randall's arrival or, failing that, some authority from him, instructing ; ns how to act; otherwise our honor ' binds us, and we must meet this dlf ' flcult matter with such patience and I fortitude as we may possess. At the same time 1 thoroughly understand your feelings, and you have my entire j sympathy. Let us pray this unbear? able suspense will soon be terminated. i for 1 make a poor and unwilling con i aptrator " I Meanwhile, at the card table, Messrs. Kirby and Bunce had been acting, for i the benefit of the audience, a farce i comedy bordering on the burlesque. 1 Two seasoned gamblers, men who knew every game and trick embraced In cards and to whom the pasteboards were as familiar as one's knife and fork, it was somewhat difficult to sim? ulate that chronic state of ignorance for which their self relegated position hi society should attest. Moreover. Klrby's native histrionic ability was badly handicapped by his en lend upon ? Ii. !H uielc while the wr'1" ? 's n ? u:ai clumsiness wai gre *: ? ?? a! hy anxiety over their nuit!- r' : ' re-enforced by I por iptrinj; euibi rrasstnent at finding him? self i unit of stirh society. Happily for them their partners were not of s suspicions , r inquiring turn of mind and were entirely engrossed with the game. "You gentlemen know the cards I little?" Mine. Dsvesac had ventured. With n rharming and guileless belief in their ignorance. "Well, we shall teach you something new of the game, maybe." Til be glad to learn something new about It." Klrby replied, with gravity and perfect truth. Mine. Davezac. with sadly amateur? ish fingers, assisted with many a flour ish, intended to impress the presuma? ble tyros with a fitting admiration for her skill, proceeded to cut the deck, while Bunce eyed her gloomily and mentally criticised what he termed a "dirty riffle." Fils professional dignity was outraged by the fact that she had cut to the last card and then serenely reunited the deck. and. forgetting him? self, he was about to assert his rights and demand a new shuffle when a warning kick from Klrby checked him. "Ah, 'tis your deal." Mme. Davezac at length exclaimed, tendering the cards to Bunce. "First you must make the cards well?mix them, so?like you saw me. See. you suf-fel, as tbey call It. You think you can do that?" "Yes'm, I reckon I can git that fur." he ventured modestly. Taking the deck, he promptly forgot his role and proceeded to give a very fine demon? stration of the professional shuffler spreading the cards in the air between his band" until ue resembled an ex? pert bartender mixing drinks. This completed to hi? entire satisfaction, he spouted out the pasteboards in a deal of lightning like rapidity, while Mme. Davezac and the old judge sat bolt upright v ith astonishment. At length an extra desperate end well executed kick from Kirby checked the old gam? bler's stirring exhibition, and, covered with confusion, he dropped several cards to the floor and. in order to hide his flaming cheeks, stooped and began to miserably grope for them. "YTou see." exclaimed Klrby, "my secretary is not so experienced as he might be. To speak confidentially, I would have let him go last month if It weren't that he Is the only support of a wife and eleven children." "I wish 1 was in the lower regions,'* groaned Bunce sotto voce. "I'll see that you get your wish If you don't sit up here." replied Kirby. But soon it was Kirby's turn to gain that state of absentmindedness for which he had censured his partner, for In the adjoining room Adele had com? menced to sing, and all his thoughts promptly went out to her, his Hps mutely repeating the words of the well remembered song, while his eyes grew as dreamy and abstracted as his mind. At length, when it was his turn to play, conscious only that be was holding a book of cards and conse? quently Inferring that he must be in? dulging in his bread and butter game of poker, he spread his hand face up upon the table. "Malheur!" exclaimed Mme. Davezac, aghast at this startling innovation. "He expose his band." "I fear." commented the Judge, ris? ing and pushing back his chair, "that Colonel Moreau finds it difficult to play cards and listen to the voice of a beau? tiful woman at the same time." MAnd you cannot say that he have not good taste." commented Mme. Da? vezac. "Tiens! We adjourn, then, to the music room. You will come. Colo? nel Moreau and monsieur the secre tar*?" Adele was still singing. Miss Pleydell accompanying her, aud. drawn by the ?oft harmony, M. Veaudry and Aaron at length forsook the balcony and. as had the others, proceeded to make their way toward the music room. Their goal, however, was never attain? ed, for as they stepped through the window into the deserted drawing room they were met by Poulette. one of the "French niggers." She carried a small bundle made of a knotted spot? ted handkerchief, and her manner at? tested that she was evidently laboring under the repressed excitement inci? dent upon discovering busiuess not in? tended for her cognizance. In fact, she had but completed a victory over old Croup, who had persistently annoyed her with his attentions and. when cen? sured for so doing by his ample wife, had promptly and quite untruthfully charged Poulette with making his life unbearable by her unrequited affection for his person. Since then Poulette. smarting under the calumuy, had ea? gerly sought some method of assuag? ing her outraged feelings, and now at last she had secured it "Miche Aaron." she whispered, pluck? ing Mr. Randall's sleeve as he was about to pass on?"Miche Aaron, dat black man. Croup, he have a secret. Dat secret it Is with Miche Moreau." (To Be Continued.) BUSK SHERARD HANGED. Negro Murderer Met Dentil Staging Hysens. Greenville, Oct. 7.?Singing hymns ami advising his race to avoid whi.s key and dice, Hunk Sherard, colored was hanged at OreenvlllO this morn ing for the murder last August o. Constable WabJrop, of Piedmont Sherard made a confession last week Sheriffs whit.. of Spartanburg, and i King, ot Anderson, were present bv , invitation of sheriff Perry Poole of . ?; reenville. Tbc stat.' r.ar examinations wll be held December and 7.