The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-14

announced the General at length. "Don't point" warned the man in the room. "Hew many men?"
 "Five. Two of them all got guns."
 "An right Don't turn your head when you speak to me"
 There's more men hunting through the garden across the street." piped up the boy, wallowing in the satisfying knowledge that at last, by some mirac- ulous intervention of a benefcent prov idence, he had become an indispen- sable character in a very real adven- ture which promised to eclipse the most thrilling hairbreadth escape he had ever read.
 "Are any of the men looking up here:" whispered Kirby. "No? Come in. then-qutck" The boy obeying. he cautiously closed one part of the win dow, but refrained from drawing the curtain.
 "I think" impressively announced the General, approving of these pre- liminary maneuvers, that this is bet ter than where the good princes trusty friend cuts his bonds. Which one are you"
 "Which what am I?" asked Kirby. with a perplexed smile. 'T mean are you the good prince or the bad prince?'
 "Oh, see. Well, I'll try to be the good prince for a few minutes if you'll
 help me to get away. Suppose you find me hat, eh?"
 The General. with that lively disre- gard for another's property which
 every. loyal servitor of unfortunate princes must possess, instantly seized
 M. veaudry's hat, which was reposing
 on an adjacent chair. 'Thank you," said Kirby gravely,
 covertly examining the pistol in his breast pocket. 'This door leads to the
 street. you say? And there are five
 men on the corner, two with guns?' "Yes. What do we do now?" briskly
 asked the boy.
 The other gravely offered his hand.
 'Why, now." he said gently, i've shake hands. and I say thank you. And next we say goodby."
 "All right. Wait till get my hat" "But we just said goodby," remon-
 strated Kirby.
 "Yes. but Pm going with you. You don't know what minute you may need a trusty friend. Besides. Eve got to see what happens next" "That's just what you mustn't" re- piled Kirby. shaking his head. Don't you look out of that window when I've gone, and don't you come near
 the door. What do they call you?' General"
 Well, General I've only known you about two minutes. but I'd hate to get | you into any trouble. Now. we both
 would be in trouble if anybody came in here, so I've got to get out pretty | quick, and we'll be in worse trouble | if you try to follow me into the street.
 So put it to you this way: If you really want to be my trusty friend just shake hands with me again and
 say goodby."
 twill you promise I can be your trusty friend?' said the boy earnestly. | 'No matter whether you turn out to be the good prince or the bad prince,
 I'll always be your trusty friend-al-
 ways"
 i Always" pledged Kirby, with the
 utmost sincerity.
 Then shake hands, said the Gen
 eral.
 They did so gravely. "Thank you.
 General" said Kirby. "I"- l He turned sharply at the sound of
 a softly closing door. A girl had en-
 tered the room, girl whose clear | pallor was accentuated by the deep
 black of dress and hair. She had over heard the boys last words. had esti- l mated the tableau. and now as Kirby's
 eyes met her own the warm blood
 crept into throat and cheek. and she
 said impulsively, little catch in he,
 voice:
 ''So it is the General who has had
 the honor of receiving you, after all.
 am so glad you have again changed
 your plans. Now you can go in the
 carriage with us'- | "But you don't understand, Adele ''
 cried her brother. while Kirby looked
 his astoniShment. His enemies are
 after him. and he had to make a hair.
 breadth escape through our window
 He lost his hat in his flight from some. where"-
 "Wait. General. We'll finish the
 story after awhile" she interrupted
 smiling understandingly at Kirby. l "But l tell you he climbed in the
 window" persisted the excited boy
 'T gave him Anatole's hat"
 Kirby. his eyes still on the girl, bow. ed with courteous formality.
 Ut is entirely true. madam" he said | lightly. Unhappily it isn't a story al all. I have not the honor to be here by appointment. as you evidently in fer. but simply by accidentally virtue | of the only open window in the street. And he doesn't know yet whether he's going to be the good prince or ths bad prince" triumpnantly added tn General. proudly eying his hero. Adele drew back. frightened, III
 nerved. her Eand creeping to the doc. l knob. lit is q mistake" she breatt cd, wide ey~ti with sudden fear. "Yo, are stranger "Please don't be afraid of my beins the bad prince." smiled Kirby in hi, most reassuring and light hearted manner. If you will permit me. mad | am, to take this hat, will vanish as l intended"-
 'There are men watching the streets. she said steadily, holding him win her