The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-09-01


coLDLY. >
the window. while: the gentlemen re-
NAMED on the balcony, a prey to- the
most disQuieting thoughts.
"You see how she have change-in
this one day-with him." bitterly ex-
claimed Anatole, pointing through the
open window to where in a distant
corner of the room Kirby sat at the
card table Mr.. Randall merely nod
ded and gloomily chewed his cheroot.
he was facing a difficult problem and
praying for the arrival of young Ran
dali
Presently from the music room there
came the subdued harmony Of guitar
and harp, and when the soft prelude
had finished Adele's fine contralto took
up the theme, singing. 81 sent thee late
rose wreath, not so much honoring
thee" 1t was Ktrby's faYorite song,
snatches Of which Anato1e had heard
the other humming at intervals since
bis arrival. Clearer, sweeter, purer
sounded the words until the music as
cended like an anthem and came steal
ing out Of the window to mingle with
the soft murmur Of the night, to blend
with the unheard. far distant harmony
Of the stars. Anatole stood tEansflxed,
prey to the bitterest emotions to
which man was ever hostage.
''You hear?" he cried passionately,
turning to Aaron. For the first time
since how long? Now she wear no
more black. Now she is no more ST.
lent. Now she sing. not for her broth
er, not for those who love her, not for
me-
mo; it's for Colonel Moreau." fin
shed the older man. throwing away
his cigar.
The creole laughed harshly, contemp-
tuously, his black eyes swapping with
passion. For Colonel MoEeauY
dare you-look me in the face and
say that man is Colonel Moreau," wav-
Ing a trembling hand to the window.
I shall tell you nothing" replied
Aaron sternly. mo matter what sus-
nan be killed until / do know"
When you met this man you did not
Know him." said Anatole. with slow
significance. 81 think to myself-who
can he be? make a guess and an
Otner guess and another guess. but /
am not sure"
Exactly" commented Mr.. Randall.
WIN some sharpness. ''There you are.
lou are not sure. Neither am /.
1nere Is nothing to do but to await
1Om Randalls arrival or, failing that,
soule authority from him, instruct1ng
70 now to act; otherwise our honor
oluuS US, and we: must meet this diff
acult matter with such patience and
aOfutude as we may possess. at the
D0lne time l thoroughly understand
Sout feelings. and you have my entire
~, Let us pray this unbear-
Ole suspense will soon be terminated,
Epirator." r
o M,ednWhile. at the card table, Messrs.
nirOy and Bunce had been acting, for
sue benefit Of the audience, a farce
NJ IUneuy bordering on the burlesque.
a a"o seasoned gamblers, men who knew
10y game and trick embraced in
SatuS and to whom the. pasteboards
we're as familiar as ones knife and
n rTaA' It was somewhat difficult to sim
sa "'e mat chronic state Of ignorance
=, tOr which their self relegated position
society should, attest.
.b moreover, Kirby's native histrionie
t fDanty was badly handicapped by his
tSO Ousnts being solely conferred upon
S NE now absent Adele, while the
o 1Osany Bunce's natural clumsiness was
e mr enhanced by anxiety over their
sn Stual safety, Reinforced by a per-
s pslng embarrassment at finding him
se en a unit Of such society. Happily
s Ua tnem their partners were hot OF a
N'pielous or inquiring turn Of mind