The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-09-22

her ne mused mekhnnlcElH ana
with dull monot0ny reiteratinR the
phrase. Take one good look at vonr-
sell. Gene Kirby I might never have
thought OF that-T have been 50 busy
looking at herr
As he sat there face to face with the
future. striving to learn remuneration
without embitterment, the General.
now dressed in nightclothes. tiptoed
softly into the room.
They sent me to bed again. he
whispered. triumphant at his evasion.
while be cuddled against the mans ex-
tended arm. II want 70. know the end
Of that story. Tell me-
Kirby strove TO assume his wonted
gayety OF manner. How long ago il
seemed since in the closed carriage be
had prompted that light hearted laugh
teri
SO you made 9notba~ lla1rbreadth
escape. General he commented light
". And 0 want to bear the end OF
the storg-abous the bad prince who
was half good: III don't know If /
can tell you the cad.
why Hasn't the end happened
yetg
"Yes: its come.
"But 1t ended al rai. didn.s Htsn
persisted the GsaleraI Nt5h all YOUTHS
confdept optimisas.
Yes" said the mao. iii ended All
right
"But ] want to know If Les stlil j
mivod nrinoe-a r7ivrsT oand o1,d hacI
prince"
Kirby pressed a weary hand over his
throbbing forehead. Il guess he's pref
ty much mixed" he confessed. still
smiling bravely.
The child pondercd oyer this state
ment until at length he began to nod.
"Did-did he go away?" he murmured
drowsily. inquisitiveness battling no
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 a long time Kirby stood looking
| down upon the faithful little General.
who of 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 Of lying tongues or the specious ev-
tidence Of 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 W dim
notions Of standing true to the colors.
n 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 not know. The fugi-
tive sunbeam had long since vanished.
as If heartily ashamed 9f taking prece-
dence over its majestic progenitor, and
the room was now sufused 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
story p nodding to the sleeping Cen
eral. 'But he'll want you to-
"I'm afraid it won't be fixed so that
l can. Miss Randall. You see. / was
only waiting to a goodby to you"
"He'n-he'II be disappointed" she
ventured. with a pitifui attempt at
composure. "And-you are only wait
ing t o say Goodbye"
He nodded. smiling wanly.
"You remember that story l told you
Of the rosebush and the playing
cards?'
Are you and like that?"
"Just like that" he said.
"But some time She broke of.
making a hopeless. pleading gesture.
TELL him when he aWakes," said
Kirby. taking a great breath and hold
ing high his head. the end Is that for
one great day. from sunrise to sun.
rise. the mixed prince was with some
body so good that he went away to
try to make himself all over. And If
he cam He FILTERED and stopped;
then, taking courage hom her eyes.
began again. And il be cam
And if he can" she prompted. a
cgreat wave Of color surging to cheek
and neck. ''And if should wait for
that-that wouldn't he the endE
"No. That would be-"
1T would be- she whispered, bold
| ing him with her eyes.
just the 3ss alsng, aftsrsall"
TRF I'M