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

sunshine we have been waiting for so
long"
While the others. with the exception
OF the moody and respondent NJ. Veau-
dry. entered the house. Adele. ofrerIng
the excuse that she wished TO see her
roses again. sought dower 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 bis
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 Anatole7" he at length
| inquired
| "ColoneI Moreau.'' abstractedly re-
piled M veaudry. h7AN B q.
| eyes. sch 2 Yes, seh.3 acknowledged
Group. Oats de name what he done
give. Yes, seh." But he was far from
| satisfied and still shaking his head
and mumbling to himself. returned in
doors. Certainly neither Kirby nor
Group quondam servant and -yeuthful
master-had the remotest idea that,
after a separation Of so many years,
they had finally met. ~ 's'5. y .t1''
Meanwhile Aaron Randall had re-
turned from his abortive mission only
! to 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 errattc
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 ITO N.
| Veaudry, who had been his informant,
''this can mean only one thing Cameo
Kirby Is deadT' And he tersely relat-
ed the meeting at the oaks even down
to the detail Of Moreau taking the late
John Randalrs pistol. ''Tom secretly
followed the colonel he finished, "and
it's devilish strange he didn't return
with him. 1 don't understand it."
But NJ Veaudry was only thinking
Of this added advantage which his
rival had gained in the eyes Of Adele.
"Ah, he has one more privilege 4
! have to envy himr' he exclaimed. 81
see he is a gentleman and does not
boast Also it is that he would not
wish the ladies to know. shall seek
opportunity to congratulate him when
he is not in their presence. should
not think it honor Of me to be slow
with my fell citations All, shall do
it now"
He turned as Kirby emerged from
the garden. Adele having halted some
distance down the path.
81 have just learn. SIR" began Ana
tole, with bow, ''of the great privi-
lege you have had today. We know
by the pleasure to see You alive that
there is one great scoundreI which is
not. - =
| 'sWho's thatr' asked Kirby, lighting
a cheroot.
81 offer you congratulation," pur-
sued the young creole formally and
rather stif1y, that you have earn the
gratitude Of all good people"
"What for?"
Because you have the honor to kill
that Cameo Kirby"
The other with perfect composure
gravely eyed his cheroot, while he sue
cessfuIly concealed all evidence Of any
other feeling. .S
WELL he said courteously, 81 al
ways hoped that nobody but myself
would kill that fellow. l suppose many
have wished to. but they didn't have
my luck"
I "But most congratulate you, NJ. lie
Colonel" finished Anatole, his voice
tremulous with emotion, 'is that you
have earn so much gratitude-here,"
making an eloquent gesture toward the
house. go
/ This time Kirby could not conceal
his establishment. "And why should
that have earned me so much gratitude
-here?" he asked bluntly, initiating
the others gesture.
Before M. Veaudry could reply Adele
had joined the group. 93F
"Anatole has presented you to the
.colonel" she inquired, turning to her
cousin. Then, needless of his evident
amazement, she gayly continued, turn
ing to Kirby: "This is our good cousin
Aaron. Aaron, you will be glad to
know that this gentleman is Colonel
Moreau. I have the honor to present
you" fl1'ta
Colonel MoreauF' gasped Aaron,
aghast "Why-why--I met Colonel
Moreau-this morning"
Adele started and paled as, too late,
she fully realized the truth. But Kir-
by remained the same courteous, ami
able and care free gentleman Of the
carriage, while he eyed Aaron steadi-
". "Does it seem to you that have
changed since we last met" he bland
" inquired Perhaps you would
hardly know me for the same man?
In fact, If Miss Adele hadn't told you
that am Colonel Moreau you would