Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-08-20

OF the young morning. And then il
arose like a sweeping curve OF beauty
until it resolved itself into the throaty.
meIodious chorus Of mississippi Riv-
or"
Kirby shivered. and his eyes came
back from the great beyond. while
Bunce shook himself Ike a great dog
leaving the water.
There's the nigEers goin' out 20 the
cane" he said laconicany. The morn
ms here Wen. Gene?"
''Well. I.arkinT'
The other hesitated. terrifying him
self with a cheroot. which he content
ed himself with chewing. Finally he
arose, Offering elaborate signs OF de-
parture.
Il hate 90 see a man lose out on
everything" ne tentatively observed.
/ well, I'm goin'. Gene. reckon
they'll let me have a boss now. Meb-
be betteE have two saddled. eh2'
Wei. what do you Think parted
Kirby, slowly lifting the deck OF cards
from the table. rs that my wife? Do
turn back 70 the old river road with
NNAH 20 NU L nc AANEA Ills ntMu
with Frightening vision. Have two
saddled," be added quietly. with bitter
fnaiity.
Bunce nodded slowly. understand
ingly.
Alone. Kirby remained at the table.
staring and seeing not.
Take one good look at yourself.
Gene Kirby; then take another at
her " be unused mechanically and
with dull monotony reiterating the
phrase. Take one good look at your
self. Gene Kirby ! might never have
thought OF that-I have been so busy
looking az her"
AS be sat there face TO face with the
future striving 10 learn remuneration
without embittermcnt, the General.
now dressed in nightclothes. tiptoed
softly into the room.
They sent me 20 bed again." he
whispered. triumphant at his evasion.
while he cuddlcd against the mans ex-
tended arm Il want to know the end
OF that story. Tell me"
Kirby strove 20 assume his wouted
gayety OF manner. How long ago IL
/ seemed since In the closed carriage he
had prompted that light hearted laugh
teri
so you made another hairbreadth
escape, General" he commented light
". And you want 90 hear the end OF
the story-about the bad prince who
was half EoOd2 IL don't know II
car tell you the end
"Why2 Hasn't the end happened
yet?'
YES: it's come"
But Il ended all right. didn't III"
persisted the General, with all youths
confident optimism.
Yes" said the man: 1T ended all
right"
But want 70 know II he's stin
mixed prince-a mixed good and bad
prince"
Kirby pressed a weary hand over his
throbbing forehead. Il guess he's pref
" much mixed" he confessed, still
smiling bravely.
The child pondered over this state
ment until at length he began 10 ned.
"Did-dId he go away1" he murmured
bly, against outraged nature.
"Yes-he went away" whispered the
man, his arm Tightening about the
small form. You're sleepy, General"
I'm not" protested the child, with
great earnestness. opening wide his
eyes only to promptly close them after
an Intellectual struggle. "I-want-tO-
know-the-end." He gave a vexed.
| protesting sigh: then his breathing
| grew deep and regular
Your sister Will tell you the end in
the morning." said the man.
Rising. he gently laid the now sleep
ing child on the sofa and with clumsy
| tenderness covered him with a rug.
For long time Kirby stood looking
down upon the faithful little General.
who or them all had from the first
given his full measure OF answering
loyalty and devotion without question
| and without price. and this despite the
influence OF family pressure, the ven
ON or lying tongues or the specious ev-
tdence or circumstance. He knew only
that he loved. that was faith and trust
sufficient. AS yet he was only a very
] small Juvenile member in life's boys
brigade. but still he had his own dim
notions OF standing true to the colors.
When at length Kirby turned away
it was to find himself face TO face with
Adele. How long she had been stand
ing there he did Tot know. The fugi-
tive sunbeam had long since vanished.
as IL heartily ashamed OF taking prece-
dence over its majestic progenitor, and
the room was now suffused by a dull,
rosy glow. For a space girl and man
eyed each other IN silence, both wait
ing for the other to speak. Finally she
whispered:
"Am / to tell him the end OF the
storyT' nodding to the sleeping Gen
eral. but he'll want you to-"
''I'm afraid 1t won't be fixed so that
( / can, Miss Randall. You see. | was
only waiting TO say goodby 10 you"
"He'll-he1l be disappointed" she
ventured. with pitiful attempt at
composure. "And-you are only wait
ing to say GOODBYE
He nodded. smiling wanly.
"You remember that story told you