The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-07-21


no lady would have anything to do
with our kind. You got no business
Il don't hurt her IL | only look at
her, do II? snapped Kirby. whirling
upon his partner in sudden passion.
MY God. IL a mans been outside the
walls for years you can't blame him
for wanting to look at the flowers n
minute If he gets into the garden some
day. That can't harm them" III
Scene. do you know you're crazy
yourselfy" sadly pronounced Bunce.
with a shake Of the head. They say
them loonies do know 1t sometimes.
And nice. crazy turn you done me,
too. tying me up here with folks like
these" he added. with vehement re-
proach as full realization Of his many
wrongs overcame him. "You know I
never had nothin' to say to no ladies,
and as soon as ever see one choke
up, and my neck gets hot and my ears
git red. introduced me as his secre-
tary." again appealing to the invisible
audience. Waugh. Secretary. I'd
make a h. Of a secretary. wouldn't
I? Come on. Gene. Pry yourself
loose from all this darn foolishness
before it's too late
I've already given you my deci-
sion." interrupted Kirby. with some
asperity. But. Larkin. don't let my
affairs detain you"
Bunce. after a farewell invocation OF
the heavens. resigned himself to the
inevitable and, seating himself on the
garden seat. proceeded to pick bis
teeth. while he fastened plaintive
and expectant eye on the distant
house.
The partners sat IN moody silence
for some time until at length their
reveries were interrupted by the ad-
vent Of Judge Pleydell. Mr.. Randall
and NJ. veaudry. The Judge bad but
returned from the steamboat landing,
and as he approached the occupants
OF the garden seat his expression was
OF so serious a character that Bunce.
ever on the lookout for trouble. now
scented danger and. nudging his COM
panion. jumped TO bis feet. But Kir-
by. though wary eyed. remained out
wardly cool and entirely self possess
ed and. embracing this heaven sent
opportunity Of further aggravating his
partner. promptly introduced the lat
ter as my secretary"
Colonel Moreau. sir began the
Judge. somewhat astonished at the fe-
rocity Of Mr.. Bunce's bow. II have the
most astonishing piece of news for
you. What would you say II told
you that you had no right to be here
at all, sirT
As Pleydell, preserving bis stern de.
meanor. laid hand on Kirby's shout
der bis companions exchanged startled
and significant glanccs. while Mr..
Bunce grew apologize and edged
nearer his partner. All eyes were now
on Kirby. but his expression Of mild
surprise and courteous interest never
changed.
"well. I reckon I'd have to say that
the joke was on me, Judge" be calmly
replied.
Pleydell began to laugh.
well. sir. according to rumor. you
amt here. According to rumor, you
amt anywhere. because you're dead"
To him 1t was a huge Joke. and he
roared until the tears mingled with
bis snowy mustache. all ignorant OF
the fact that he had propoundcd o
literal truth; ignorant Of the fact that
bis companions were still significantly
eying each other and that Mr.. Bunce
was having exceeding difficulty with
bis coIlar. In fact, Kirby was the
sole member OF the interested audi
ence who appeared to appreciate the
full humor OF the situation.
"when Is my funeralY' be asked,
with smile. Il don't want to miss
that"
His composure somewhat recovered;
but. stiIl chucklIng and occasionally 20.
ing on into another spasm Of laughter.
the Judge proceeded TO explain the
manner In which be had gained the
Interesting information.
ssTbe afternoon steamer does not
stop. sir. and am obliged TO row out
In n boat 70 get my letters. The news
was shouted to US from the deck as
she moved away. All I could catch
was the words, Colonel Moreau dead
and think they added. This morn.
ing The distance was too great for
me 20 secure any further items from
that interesting liar. SIR"
And. still laughing, pleydell ciapped
Kirby on the shoulder. while Mr.
Bunce. drawing his Hrst long breath.
muteiy thanked the Almighty that all
guiIelessness and innocence had not
entirely deserted mankind when the
serpent entered Eden.
but n was apparent that Mr. Ran
dan and NJ. yeaudry owned more dis.
cernment and that their quick suspi.
cIons, previously aroused. had now be-
come active. pregnant with danger. II
90 happened that they were now aug.
mented b. none other than the Gen.
eraI, who would have died rather than
Willingly betray his trust During the
judges discourse the boy had Joined