The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-08
AiNsLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY

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carriage. It's 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.
IL was an unwonted sound. and more
than once he caught himself comment
Ing that Ii was as unwelcome.
Meanwhile Kirby's good angel-if a
professional gambler may be permit
ted to own .One-was In another direc-
tion looking after his interests with
unabated zeal, postponing his exposure
and consequently prolonging his in
dmacy with the Randalls.
II must be remembered that only
Tom Randall and his cousin Aaron
had rnet 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 short cut through a lane which
connected the two estates, unwilling
ly 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 flush
ing by turns, boldly introduced the
pseudo Moreau to her family's old
friend.
Colonel Moreau, this Is indeed a
happy and propitious OCCASION" warm
ly responded the judge, while he shook
Kirby by the hand And never In my
life have I seen so delightful and well
come an alteration as is apparent In
the health and spirits OF the young
mistress of this plantation. What is
the magic secret to account for so
great a change since last evening"
'Ah. IL was the rider demurely sug-
gested his daughter, glancing from
Adele TO Kirby.
"The rider echoed Mime. Davezac
"Mais-non. 1t was that charming
Colonel Moreau. / think he brings the
sunshine we have been waiting for so
long"
While the others, with the exception
Of the moody and despondent Nj. Veau-
dry. entered the house. Adele. offering
the excuse that she wished to see her
roses again. sought flower basket and
scissors and. accompanied by the in.
domitable Kirby. repaired to the gar
den, Anatole watching them with
broody, longing eyes.
Presently he became aware that an
other was as interested as himself,
and. turning. he found Group at his
elbow. The old serving man contin-
ued for some time to silently scan
Kirby's retreating figure.
"Who you say were dat genaman's
name, Marse Anatole?" he at length
inquired
Colonel Moreau." abstractedly re.
piled NJ. veaudry.
"Yes. sch. Yes. seh." acknowledged
Group. Oats de name what he done
give. Yes. sch" But he was far from
satisfied and. still shaking his head
and mumbling to himself. returned In
doors. Certainly neither Kirby nor
Croup-quondam servant and youthful
master-had the remotest idea that.
after separation Of so many years.
they had finally met
Meanwhile Aaron Randall had re-
turned from his abortive mission only
10 learn that the elusive Judge Pley-
dell had again left, this time to ride
over TO the steamboat landing for ex-
pected letters. But Adele's elderly cous-
In was too excited to longer trouble
himself concerning the judges erratic
movements, for he had learned that
Colonel Moreau had. after all. accom-
panied the ladies' and was at that very
moment with Adele In the garden
why, then" he exclaimed to NJ.
Veaudry. who had been his informant,
"this can mean only one thing-Cameo
Kirby Is dead" And he tersely relat-
ed the meeting at the oaks even down
to the detail OF Moreau taking the late
John Randall's pistol. TON secretly
followed the colonel" he finished. land
It's devilish strange he didn't return
with him. I don't understand It,"
But NJ. Veaudry was only thinking
Of this added advantage which his