The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-10-13

plantation. occupying a full
day, marked an epoch In Eu-
gene Kirby's life-a fact OF
which from its inception he was en-
tirely unconscious. Without q single
exception it was the first time in If
teen years that he had been received
on a footing Of eQualiey-even ind-
macy-with that high type Of woman
hood to which his birth entitled him
and which had been forfeited when he
had yielded to the lure Of the river and
the wiles of evil companions. And,
even though he did not forget that his
present standing had been won By
grace Of a girls ready sympathy. the
knowledge did not interfere with q
thorough enjoyment and appreciation
of, tha moment.
Under the impression that they were
entertaining Colonel Moreau, bsnefac-
tor and champion Of the Randall fam
lily. Miss Pleydell and Nine. Dayezae
yielded the more readily to Kirby's
charm Of manner. while the General,
conscious that he was acting in some
mysterious way as the secret and
trusay friend Of his hairbreadth escape
hero, hung on the latter's every word.
Indeed. a more Improbable audience
would have found their entertainer ir-
resistible, for Kirby put forth every
effort to please. his payment q laugh
from Adele or flush In her pale cheek.
Nor were his efforts prompted BY ego
ism, any longing for self exploitation:
rather. In fact. they were spontaneous.
d tribute to the goddess Fortune, which
had graciously associated him with
type Of femininity which he had long
ed to meet and despaired Of so doing.
Thus, with its four occupants In the
happiest frame Of mind and on the
best Of terms, the roomy. close topped
carriage. its sleepy negro driver mo-
notonously clucking at the horses. jog
ged placidly over the sunlit roads,
while Anatole veaudry. riding gloom
lily behind. WINGED whenever he heard
Adele's fresh and care free laughter.
1t was an unwonted sound, and more
than once he caught himself comment
ing that it was as unwelcome.
Meanwhile Kirby's good angel-if Q
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.
1t 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. 1t so happened. however. that
Judge Pleydell, completing his errand,
had returned to the RandallS and, tax
ing Il short cut through Il lane which
connected the two estates, unwilling
" passed Aaron, who had followed the
highroad. Thus when Kirby and the
ladies eventually arrived the old Judge,
supported by 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 fusn-
ing by turns, boldly introduced the
pseudo Moreau to her family's old
friend
Colonel Moreau, this Is lndeed
happy and propitious occasion" warm
ly responded the judge, while he shook
Kirby by the hand. And never IN my
life have seen SO delightful and well
come an alteration as is apparent III
the health and spirits Of the young
mistress of this plantation. What Is
the magic secret to account LOT 80
great a change since last evening:
"Ah, it was the ride demurely sus-
4