The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1910-08-18

hminary maneuvers, that this is bet
ter than where the good princes trusty
friend cuts his bonds. Which one are
your"
(which what am II" asked Kirby.
with perplexed smile.
81 mean are you the good prince or
the bad primer
'Oh. I see. Well. I'll try to be the
good prince for a few minutes If you'll
help me to get away. Suppose you find
me a hat, eh?"
The General. with that lively disre-
gard for another's property which
every loyal servitor of unfortunate
princes must possess. instantly seized
M. Yeaudryss hat, (which was reposing
on an adjacent chair @ ~
''Thank you," said Kirby gravely.
.coYertlyv examining the pistol in his
breast pocket. ''This door leads to the
street. you say? And there are five
me1AoD the Corner, two with guns?'
Yes. s5What do we do now?" briskly
asked the boy.
The other gravely offered his hand.
'Why, now" me said gently eve
shake hands. and l say thank you
And next We say goodbye
F.AA right Wait till get my Ratss
But we just said goodbyy' remon-
strated Kirby.
Yes. but I'm going with you. You
don't know what minute you may need
q strusfy friend, = Besides, I've got to
see what happens next"
"Thats just what you mustn't" re-
piled Kirby, shaking his head. Don't
you look out of that widow when
I've gone. and don't you come near
the door. What do they cal you?''
"GeneralS
I "WelI, General, I've only known you
about two minutes, but I'd hate to get
you into any trouble. Now. we both
would be in trouble If anybody came
in here, so I've got to get out pretty
quick, and Wen be in worse trouble
II you try to follow me into the street
So I put it to you this way: II you
really want to be my trusty friend
| just shake hands with, me again and
say goodby."
"Wili you promise / can be your
trusty friend?' said the boy earnestly.
mo matter whether you turn out to
| be the good prince or the bad prince.
I'll always be your trusty friend-al-
ways"
Always" pledged Kirby, with the
utmost sincerity.
''Then shake hands," said the Gen
eral.
They did so gravely. THANK you.
General said Kirby. 'I'-
/ He turned sharply at the sound of
"a softly closing door. A girl had en-
tered the room, a girl whose clear
! pallor was accentuated- by the deep
black of dress and hair. She had over
| heard the boys last words, had eSti-
mated the tableau. ana now as Kirby's
eyes met her own the warm blood
erept into throat and cheek; and she
said impulsively, a little catch in her
voice:
$50 1t Is the General who has had
the honor OF receiving you, after all
I am SO glad you have again changed
! your plans. Now you can go In the
carriage with u.s.
"ButP you don't understand, Adele, -
cried her brother, while Kirby looked
| his establishment His enemies are
after him, and he had to make hair
breadth escape through our window.
He lost his hat in his fight from some
! where
''Wait. General. Well finish the
story after awhile" she interrupted,
! smiling Understandings at Kirby.
"But / tell you he climbed in the
window persisted the. excited boy.
II gave him Anatole's hat"
-, Kirby. his eyes still on the gil, bow:
ed with courteous formaiity. -
cit is entirely true, madam" he said
! lightly. Unhappily it isn't story at
ALL L have not the honor to be here
by appointment, as you evidently in
fer, but simply by accident-by virtue
OF the only open windowin the street.
+ "And he doesn't know yet whether
he's going to be the good prince or the
bad prince" triumphantly added the
General. proudly eying his hero.
| Adele drew back, frightened. I'M
nerved. her hand creeping to the door
knob. fIt--it is mistake" she breath
ed, wide eyed with sudden fear. You
are a stranger o. f,sesr.F esigs g
please don't be afraid of my being
the bad prince" smiled Kirby in his
most reassuring and light hearted
manner. eff you will permit me. mad
am, to take this hat, I will vanish as
intended 81
/ ''There are men watching the streets"
she said steadily, holding him with her
eyes. st saw them from my window.
Isis it thatY
All fear had vanished, and in her
voice there was but apparent a con-
Germ for him, the stranger and inters
loper.
He nodded and turned to the listen
ing child. General, do you want to
be my trusty friend once more? Good:
Then do just what you did before--out
there on the balcony" When the