The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-15
AINSLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY

ged placidly over the sunIit roaLs, while Anatole Veaudry, riding gloom fly behind, winced whenever he heard Adele's fresh and care free laughter. It was an unwonted sound, and more than once he caught himself comment ing that it was as unwelcome.
 Meanwhile Kirby's good angel-if a professional gambler may be permit ted to own one-was in another direc- ton looking after his interests with unabated zeal, postponing his exposure and consequently prolonging his in- timacy with the Randalls.
 It must be remembered that only Tom Randall and his cousin Aaron had met Colonel Moreau, and thus Kir- by's exposure as an impostor could only come from these two. The hot headed, vengeful boy was still busy securing New Orleans for his supposed enemy, and thus his presence at the planta- ton would be indefinitely postponed until he had either succeeded in track ing Kirby or had abandoned all hope of so doing.
 On the other hand, however, Aaron, needing his cousins wishes, had ac- companied Group to the plantation, where he confidently expected to find Judge Pleydell, who had preceded him thither; but, learning on his arrival that the latter had ridden over to his plantation, Aaron immediately follow. ed. It so happened, however, that Judge Pleydell, completing his errand, had returned to the Randalls and, talk connected the two estates, unwilling ly passed Aaron, who had followed the highroad. Thus when Kirby and the ladies eventually arrived the old judge, supported by a jubilant crowd of ne gro field hands and domestic servants, was the only one to welcome them.
 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 and propitious occasion" warm ly responded the judge, while he shook Kirby by the hand. And never in my life have I seen so delightful and wei 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 so great change since last evening"?
 "Ah, it was the ride!" demurely sug- gested his daughter, glancing from Adele to Kirby.
 1.-The rider echoed Mime. Davezac. 'Mais-non. 1t was that charming Colonel Moreau. I think he brings the sunshine we have been waiting for so long,"
 While the others, with the exception of the moody and Respondent NJ. Veau- dry, entered the house; Adele, offering the excuse that she wished to see her roses again, sought flower basket and scissors and, accompanied by the in- domitable Kirby, repaired to the gar den, Anatole watching them with broody, longing eyes.
 Presently he became aware that an other was as interested as himself, and, turning, he found Group at his elbow The old serving man contin- ued for some time to silently scan Kirby's retreating figure.
 ''Who you say were dat genaman's name, Marse Anatole?' he at length inquired.
 Colonel Moreau," abstractedly re- piled NJ. Veaudry.
 "Yes, sch. Yes, seh," acknowledged Group. Oats de name what he done give. Yes, sch" But he was far from satisfied and, still shaking his head and mumbling to himself, returned in- doors. Certainly neither Kirby nor Croup-quondam servant and youthful master-had the remotest idea that, after a separation of so many years, they had finally met.
 Meanwhile Aaron Randall had re- to learn that the elusive Judge Pley- dell had again left. this time to ride over to the steamboat landing for eX- pected letters. But Adele's elderly cous- in was toe excited to longer trouble himself cohcerning the judges cratic 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," he exclaimed to M. Veaudry, who had been his informant, ''this can mean only one thing-Cameo Kirby is deadw And he tersely relat- ed the meeting at the oaks even down to the detail of Moreau taking the late John Randall's pistol. From secretly followed the colonel" he finished, land it's devilish strange he didn't return with him. I don't understand it."
 But NJ. Veaudry was only thinking of this added advantage which his rival had gained in the eyes of Adele.
 "Ah, he has one more privilege-I have to envy him" he exclaimed. "I see he is a gentleman and does not boast. Also it is that he would not wish the ladies to know. I shall seek opportunity to congratulate him whel