The Whitefish pilot., 1910-09-08
you KNEW MY FATHER7"


people-Mme. Davezac. MISS rley-
dell and her father, a creole named
Veaudry and Miss Adele
Miss Adele who?" beloved Bunce.
Il don't know. That's all I've heard
them call her."
Here the fates again intervened in
the name Of procrastinatiOn, for before
Bunce could inform his partner that
he was the guest of the family which.
thanks to the efforts of Colonel Mo.
reau. was his sworn enemy the ladies
entered. and to the feshy gamblers
infinite disgust. anger and misery be
was again promptly introduced by Kir-
by as my secretary" Moreover, de-
spite his utmost efforts he eventually
found himself pledged to remain the
night.
but dursn't do it, ma'am," he had
expostulated to the smiling and in
domitable Nine. Davezac. me and
Kirby-1 mean me and Colonel Mo-
reau got to git right out of here.
There's some mighty pressin' business
waitin' for us-'specially for him.
ma'am."
"Ah, but you will make postpone that
business" she returned. 1--WE al
ready had your horse taken to the sta
bles. Colonel Moreau. he says he will
do us the honor to dine with US and
remain the night. and that decides 1t.
You are his friend and secretar'- So
shall see you at dinner, Nj. Bunce.
Group. the gentleman's ROOM"
And Larkin. making an uncouth bow.
swallowed his curses and followed the
old servant. Passing Kirby. he breath
ed scornfully. III was some people
I'd find out more about other people,"
Alone with Adele. Kirby leaned
against the old sundial and attentively
watched her deftly arrange in the bas-
ket her freshly gathered bunch of
flowers.
"Your friend evidently thinks you
are not safe here" she said at length.
but you won't 60? IL know you
are safe here"
II doubt it," he calmly interrupted
"WhyY' sharply. looking up with
startled. wounded eyes.
Because you are giving me longer
time to remember your kindness than
l expected. and I'm afraid I'm finding
that that isn't the safest thing in the
world for me-"
Great danger in that. sir" she gay
ly asked.
He joined III her laugh. but his eyes
were half serious. "People who play
with fire.
"Ah. but don't believe you are
coward, sir. OF what was your friend
afraidY'
"Well, mainly he seemed disturbed
because l didn't know your name,"
smiled Kirby. s.
But you do"
"Pardon, don't. This Is the first
time I've been alone with you since we
started. I've only heard you called
Miss Adele don't even know whose
plantation this is"
"Neither-do-we." she added sadly.
IL want to show you something"
And, as If yielding to a sudden i'm
pulse, she unfastened from about her
neck a jeweled miniature and handed
it to her companion.
Kirby instantly recognized it as a
portrait Of the late John Randall. and
In breath the full Significance OF
Bunces observations came to him.
Amazed. he looked from, the miniature
to Adele. then to the house and back
again to her. Observing his emotion.
she whispered, "You knew my ia.
ther?"
Il met him-once." replied Kirby.
taking a deep breath.
II was proud Of him." she continued
steadily. refastening the miniature
about her neck, land am not the less
proud of him now. You have heard
how he died? Then you understand
why we do not know whose plantation
this is; that we hold it at the mercy
of-CameO Kirby" She dragged forth
the name with an accent and gesture
Of unspeakable fear and loathing.
"Your brother took MOreau's word
for what happened that night, didn't
he?" asked Kirby steadily.
certainly. Had not Colonel Moreau
shown himself my fathers friend?"
she returned.
ut seems to me that Moreau's word
has gone for good deal with your
family" he commented. with yelled
bitterness.
"And why not? Do we need any
ones word upon a notorious adven-
turer who lives by gambling" she
asked. with some asperity. 'any ones
word upon creature who preyed upon
the weakness of good man like my
fatherY'
but has 1t ever occurred to you."
he returned quietly, that possibly this
Kirby might never intend to claim the
plantation
mo! Not" she interrupted vehe-
mently, shaking her head. HE is too
Infamous. But don't want to think
of him today. A change has come