The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-10-20
you. What would you say If l told
you that you had no right to be here

you that you had no right to be here
at all, sir?"
AS Pleydell. preserving his stern de-
meanor, laid a. hand on Kirby's shoul-
der his companions exchanged startled
and significant glances, while Mr..
Bunce grew apologetic and edged
nearer his partner. All eyes We're now
on Kirby, but his expression Of mild
surprise and courteous interest never
changed.
We'll, reckon I'd have to say that
the joke was on me, judge" he 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 it was huge joke, and he
roared until the tears mingled with
his snowy mustache. all ignorant OF
the fact that he had propounded
literal truth: ignorant Of the fact that
his companions were still significantly
eying each other and that Mr.. Bunce
was having exceeding difficulty with
his collar. 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 funeral?" he asked.
with a smile. 81 don't want to miss
that"
His composure somewhat recovered:
but, still chuckling and occasionally 60
ing off into another spasm of laughter.
the judge proceeded to explain the
manner in which he had gained the
interesting information.
"The afternoon steamer does not
stop. sir, and am obliged to row out
in boat to get my letters. The news
was shouted to us from the deck as
she moved away. All could catch
was the words, Colonel Moreau dead,
and 1 think they added, This morn
ing The distance was too great for
me to secure any further items from
that interesting liar. sir"
And, still laughing. Pleydell clapped
Kirby on the shoulder, while Mr..
Bunce. drawing his first long breath,
mutely thanked the Almighty that all
guilelessness and innocence had not
entirely deserted mankind when the
serpent entered Eden.
But 1t was apparent that Mr.. Ran
dali and NJ. veaudry owned more dis
cernment and that their quick suspi-
cions, previously aroused, had now be-
come active, pregnant with danger. 1t
so happened that they were now aug
mented by none other than the Cen
eraI, who would have died rather than
Willingly betray his trust During the
Judges discourse the boy had Joined
the group, seeking out Kirby as bis
natural companion. Looking at the
others hand and again at his breast,
the General suddenly exclaimed: Il
know what all those things are that
you wear. They're canoes"
Canoes" exclaimed Aaron under
his breath, his eyes returning to those
Of NJ. Veaudry.
Meanwhile Adele had been busny
preparing for her last mute appeal to
Kirby to remain. For the first time
since her fathers death she discarded
mourning and in its place arrayed
herself in a treasured evening gown OF
white satin purchased in Paris before
the long shadow had descended upon
the family fortunes. She was deter
mined to look her best that night and
in this feminine maneuver was enthu-
siastically supported by her aunt and
Ann Pleydell, who. II they did not
suspect the cause, were entirely hap
DIV with the result, for they had long
been urging the girl to discard the
morbid preoccupation and settled mis-
ery. which had threatened to sap VI
tality. embitter life; anxiously sought
and hoped for some means Of trans
forming her into the girl she once had
been.
1t now appeared as If their most op-
timistic desires had materialized, for
it had been many a long day since
Adele had evinced such anxious care
and pride in her toilet. assumed the
necessary duty with such lightsome
heart and eager. feverish fnGcrs.
With pardonable vanity she closely
scanned her reflection in the mirro-,
seeking a blemish and finding it not.
Indeed. her toilet finished. the result
more than justified her elaborate and
careful preparation. AS finishing
touch she pinned in her coifure the
white camellia which Kirby had dis.
carded. and. conscious that she had
done her very best in this important
detail Of her maneuver. she repaired
to the veranda. accompanied by Nine.
Davezac and Miss Pleydell. suitably
attired for the evening"
The moon had now risen. flooding
the garden with its brilliant light and
disclosing Mr.. Randall and NJ. Veaudry
standing a little apart from the 9th
l. IL "a