The Durham recorder. [volume] (Durham, N.C.) 1879-19??, 1910-08-11

mere setting to harmony the charm
q the young morning. And then Il
arose Ike sweeping curve Of beauty
until 1t resolved itself into the throaty,
melodious chorus Of mississippi Riv-
r."
Kirby shiyered. and his eyes came
back from the great beyond. while
Bunce shook himself Ike ! great dog
leaving the water.
There's the niggers goin' out to the
cane" he said laconically. The morn
ms here. Well. Gene?"
"Well. Larkin?"
Tho other hesitated. terrifying him
self With a cheroot. which he cc2tent-
ed himself with chewing. Finally he
arose. Offering elaborate signs Of de-
parture.
Il hate to see man lose out on
everything" he tentatively observed.
well. I'm goin'. Gene. reckon
they'll let me have boss now. Meb-
be better have two saddied. ehy
"Well. what do you thinkT parted
Kirby. slowly lifting the deck y cards
from the table. is that my wife! DO
turn back to the old river road with
you. or do r. He lifted his head
with Frightening vision. Have NO
saddled." be added quietly. with bitter
6nality.,
Bunce nodded slowly. understand
ingly.
Alone. Kirby remained at the table.
staring and seeing not.
flake one good look at yourself.
Gene Kirby; then take another at
her," be unused mechanically and
with dull monotony reiterating the
phrase. Take one good look at your
self. Gene Kirby I might never have
thought Of that-I have been 70 busy
looking at her"
As be sat there face to fnce with the
future. striving to learn remuneration
without enlightenment, the General.
now dressed In nightclothes. fiptoed
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. Il want TO know the end
Of that story. Tell me-
Kirby strovc to assume his wcuted
gaycty OF manner. How long ago u
seemed since In the closed carriage he
had prompted that light hearted laugh
ter.
so you. made another hairbreadfh
escape. General" he commented light
ly. "And you want to hear the end OF
the story-about the bad prince who
was half good? III don't know II I
can tell you the end"
"why7 Hasn't Tire end happened
yetrs
Yes: It's come"
But It ended all right. didn't it7-
persisted the General. with ali youths
confident optimism.
YES" said the man; at ended all
right
But want to know II he's still n
mixed prince-a mixed good and bad
prince"
Kirby pressed n weary hand over his
| throbbIng forehead. Il guess he's pref.
ty much mixed" he confessed. still
smiling bravely.
The child spondered over this state
ment until at length he began to nod.
"Did-dId he 20 awayf- 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 vexcd.
| protesting sigh: then his breathing
grew deep and regular.
Your sister VIII 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 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 spacious ev.
idence OF circumstance. lie know only
that be loved: that was faith aud trust
sufficient. A. yet he was only a very
small Juvenile member ia lifc's boys
brigade. but still be had bis own dim
notions Of standing true to the colors.
When at length Kirby turned away
II was TO find himself face TO face with
Adele. How long she had been stand
ing there be did not know. The fugi.
tive sunbeam had long since vanished
as II heartily ashamed OF taking prece'
dcnce over Its majestic progenItor. and
the room was now sufYuscd by dull
rosy glow. For space girl and man
eyed each other In silence. both walt.
ing for the other 10 speak. Finally she
whispered:
Am l to tell him the end OF the
storyr ncdding 10 the sleeping Gen.
ersI. But bell want you TO-"
I'm afraid Il won't be fixed 10 that
| I can. Miss Randall. You ace. 1 was