The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-09-15

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Aaron asked gravely: You mean that
the ladies' go to your plantation, Judge
Pleydell. while we remain for tie os-
tensibIe purpose Of formally handing
over the estate toto that man? The
ladies are to be kept In Ignorance Of
our real purpose?
I'D shoot him and be done with it.
smiled young Randall. He'll slip
through your fingers again-see # he
doesn't
Yes, the ladies are to be kept In
entire ignorance" agreed Pleydell, ig-
noring the boys observation. like
wise Mr.. Kirby and that fat scoundreI
who accompanies him-no warning.
mind, for they are desperate charac-
tiers who hesitate at nothing. Miss
Adele will naturally abhor the idea of
remaining under this roof one minute
longer than is absolutely necessary.
To complete our ostensible purpose in
form the servants we are leaving, ney-
er to return, and let Miss Adele pack
up and take with her such things as
belonged to her mother and upon
which this scoundrel can haze
claim. BY the way, we must ass
charge of Colonel Moreau's portman-
teau, with such effects as it may con
tain. It is our duty to inquire il he
left any next of kin and to return his
belongings TO them. Poor gentleman
so honorable, chivalrous and coura-
geous. / regret that / had not the ex-
treme honor Of meeting him while he
vas yet living"
As, in quest of the -portmanteau,
Aaron entered the deserted drawing
room Kirby. pacing the balcony, hail
ed him from the window.
'Mr. Randall, If you think that ex-
citable young cousin Of yours is ready
to listen to me there's something I've
got to tell him. he said quietly,
tering his irritation.
1T is our intention that you shall sec
him, sir, as soon as the ladies have
gone" replied Aaron, with a sfgnif-
canoe lost on the other.
when the ladies have gomez echoed
Kirby, entirely without comprehension,
for he had never contemplated such a
move.
Mr.. Randall nodded.
mr.. Kirby" he said coldly, sin their
sense of honor to the dead man who
lost this place to you his children dc
not oppose your possession. But you
can scarcely imagine they would be
willing to pass the night under this
roof once you had claimed It."
Without comment Kirby returned to
the balcony. He looked old and care
worn, for the words had stung him to
the quick. Twice within the past hour
he had sent a request for an interview
to Adele, and as yet she had made no
answer. This, then. was the explana-
ton. Evidently he was deemed too
uncIean a thing even to look upon. He
did not greatly wonder, for he could
never efface the memory of her horri-
fed look and cry when the mask had
fallen and the bad prince stood reveal-
ed, After all, the penalty for his re-
manning had been immeasurably great.
er than he had anticipated.
Meanwhile Aaron had bent over the
portmanteau, which still lay open upon
a chair as Judge Pleydell had left 1t.
In searching for Colonel Moreau's Der
ringer the contents Of the suit case
had been somewhat disarranged, and
the methodical Aaron now withdrew
a badly crumpled coat, intending to
fold it neatly before replacing 1t. As
he did so a red moroc box fell from
one OF the pockets. Aaron, about to
return it, suddenly started and held it
under the light OF an adjacent lamp.
for the inscription on the lid which
had arrested his attention was: Mar
garet Randall to her husband, John
Randall"
Margaret Randall-that was Adele's
mother" he exclaimed in wonder.
What is that?' asked M. Veaudry,
entering the room and noting the 9TH
er's interest.
Something that fell from Colonel
Moreau's portmanteau," replied Aaron,
opening the box and examining its con-
tents. "You see, it is the miniature Of
Adele's mother that that gambler won
the night he won the plantation" nod
ding TO the balcony where Kirby could
be heard pacing back and forth. you
know he got even my poor cousins
Jewels. This is set with diamonds.
Look-half OF them r gone"
"To the pawnshop, eh" ventured
M. veaudry. "Yet you found it in
Colonel Moreau's portmanteau? 1t is
very strange. How has it come there? '
mo one knows but Colonel Moreau,
and he can't answer anything now"
said Aaron .solemnly. you better give
this box TO Tom"
ru-o ~, aiaAr bro+her tha CanoroI
has proved an unwilling participant IN
Judge Pleydelrs maneuver. The child
strongly disapproved Of the idea, for
he al now summRrily hauled out or
bed and forced to exchange the known
comforts OF that article for the doubt
ful accommodations Of the drawing
room sofa.
what for do they make me get up
In the middle of the night?" he sleepi-
iv ,domando6 no GroT1n ma6o nm fho