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

1T WAS THE ANGEL OF CHANCE WHO
GAVE ME THE NAME"
world TO pick from. and you chose the
name Of Jack MOreau. Why, dog my
cats!'
"Chance. Larkin. chance" returned
Kirby, quite unmoved. lit was the
angel of chance who gave me the
| name"
angels? Angels?' caught up the
other, his voice faint with the violence
of his sarcasm. "Darned If ain't lost
my hearin'. III be dogged if amt
deliriOus. Skin me if it don't seem like
I'm settin' out in a garden and hearin'
Gene Kirby talkin' about angels. 1t
sounded jest like his voice. Angels
he says. Him-Cameo Kirby! Poor
old Gene Kirby. Why. you mush
Drained chucklehead." he finished an
grily. don't you know that Tom Ran
dall's been raisin' h all over Moo Or
leans. tryin' to run you down.?
"Well, what of it?'
Bunce, making gesture eloquent of
despair. feebly sought the garden seat
and mopped his inflamed face anew.
He asks me what of that" he walled
to the surrounding scenery. You
| pore, wanderin' lunatic. You know
blame well that Of all places on earth
this Is the last you should have tum-
bled into. Now" with sudden energy
and decision. "git ready 40 git out
| quick! My boss is dead beat, but Git
your angel to loan you one and slope
for the river. I'll catch you up at
Natchez"
But Kirby calmly refused the prof
fered riding whip
whats all the reason l shouldn't
stay here:" he demanded. why
should l expect danger from these
people-Mme. Davezac. Miss Pley-
dell and her father, a creole named
Veaudry and Miss Adele
Miss Adele who?" beloved Bunce.
81 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 he
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-I 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 it.
You are his friend and secretar'-- So
shall see you at dinner, M. Bunce.
! Group. the gentlemans ROOM"
And Larkin. making an uncouth bow,
! swallowed his curses and followed the
old servant. Passing Kirby. he breath
ed scornfully. IF | 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 go? IL know you
are safe here"
! 81 doubt It," he calmly interrupted
"Why?" sharply, looking lp with
startled. wounded eyes.
! Because you are giving mo longer
time 10 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 in her laugh. but his eyes
were half serious. People who play
with fire.
"Ah. but don't believe you are a
coward, sir. or what was your friend
afraidY'
"Well. mainly he seemed disturbed
because l didn't know your name"
smiled Kirby.
'But you do"
( Pardon, ! don't. This Is the first
time I've been alone with you since we
started Eve only heard you called
Miss Adele don't even know whose
/ plantation this is"
| "Neither-do-we," she added SADLY.
/ II want to show you somcthng."
/ And, as If yielding TO sudden i'm
pulse, she unfastencd from about her