Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1910-07-30

would have found their entertainer ir-
resistible. for Kirby put forth every
effort to please. his payment a laugh
from Adele or flush in her pale cheek.
Nor were his efforts prompted by ego
ism. any longing for self exploitation:
rather. in fact. t-ss were spontaneous.
tribute TO the goddess Fortune. which
had graciously associated him with a
type OF femiuinity which he had long
ed TO meet and despaired OF SO doing.
Thus. with its four occupants in the
happiest frame OF mind and on the
best OF terms. the roomy. close topped
carriage. its sleepy negro driver mo-
notonously cluckinE at the horses. Jog
ged placidiy over the sunlit roads.
while Anatole Veaudry, riding gloom
ily behind, WINGED whenever he heard
Adele's fresh and care free laughter
It was an unwonted sound. and more
than once he caught himself comment.
ing that il was as unweIcome
Meanwhile Kirby's good angei-if n
professional gambler may be permit
ted 10 own onc-was in another direc-
ton looking after his interests with
undated zeal, postpOning his exposure
and consequently prolOnging his in
timacy with the Randalls
II must be remembered that only
Tom Randall and his cousin Aaron
had met Colonel Moreau. and thus Kir-
by's exposure as an impostor could only
come from these two. The hot headed.
vengeful boy was still busy securing
New Orleans FOR his supposed enemy.
and thus his presence at the planta.
tion would be indefinitely postponed
until he had either succeeded in track
ing Kirby or had abandoned all hope
OF so doing
On the other hand. however. Aaron.
needing his cousins wishes. had ac-
companied Group 20 the plantation.
where be confidently expected TO find
Judge Pleydeil, who had preceded him
thither; but. learning on his arrival
that the latter had ridden over TO his
plantation. Aaron Immediately follow
ed. IL SO happened. however. that
Judge Pleydeu, completing his errand.
had returned 20 the Randalls and. TAX
ing "a short cut through lane which
connected the two estates, inviting
~ passed Aaron. who had followed the
highroad. Thus when Kirby and the
ladies eventually arrived the old Judge
supported by a jubilant crowd OF ne
gro field hands and domestic servants.
was the only one 90 welcome them
Standing on the steps OF the wide
vegauda while she swung her bonnet
by its strings. Adele. smiling and dush-
ing 10y turns. boldly introduced the
pseudo Moreau 10 her family's old
friend.
Colonel Moreau. this IS indeed a
happy and propitious occasion" warm
ly responded the Judge. while ne shook
Kirby 10y the hand And never I'm my
life have / seen SO delightful and wei
come an alteration as is apparent in
the health and spirits Of the young
mistress OF this plantation. What is
the magic secret 60 account Ter so
great "a change since last evening""
"Ah. it was the rider dcmurely sug-
gcsted his daughter. glanciug from
Adele 20 Kirby.
The ride"' echoed Mime. Davezac.
"Mais-non. IL was that charming
Colonel Moycau. / think hc brings the
sunshine we have been waiting FOR SO
long"
While the others. with the exception
81 the moody and Respondent NJ. Neau-
dry, entered the house. Adele. Offering
the excuse that she wished Co see her
roses again. sought flower basket aud
scissors and, accompanied 10y the in
domitable Kirby. repaired 10 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 his
elbow. The old serving man conun-
ued FOR some time 90 silently sean
Kirbys retreatiug figure
"Who you say were dat geIS mans
name, Marse Anatolef" he at length
inquired.
colonel Moreau," absuactedly re
piled NJ Vcaudry.
yes. sch Yes. sch" acknowledged
Group. Oats dc name what he done
give. Yes, sch" But he was FAR from
satisfied and. still shaking his head
and mumbling 20 himself. returned in
doors. Certainly neither Kirby nor
| Croup-Quoudam servant aud youthful
master-had the rtmotest idea that
after a separation Of SO many years
they had finally met.
Meanwhile Aaron Randall had re
turned from his abortive mission only
to learn that the elusive Judge Pley
dell had again left. this time 10 rid,
over 10 the steamboat landing for ex
pected letters. But Adele's elderly couS
In was too excited 20 longer troubl,
himself concerning the judges erratiC
! 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 TO NJ
Veaudry. who had been his informant
"this can mean only one thing-Came,
| Kirby is dead" And he tersely relat
| ed the meeting at the oaks even dowI
| TO the detail OF M0reau taking the lat,
| John Randalis pistol Tom secretly
/ followed the colonel" ne finished. IAN,
| it's devilish strange he didn't return
| with him. don't understand it
Il