The Whitefish pilot., 1910-09-08
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plantation. occupying full
E5SsSsSNj day. marked an epoch in Eu
XzJ gene Kirby'S life-a fact Uf
which from it's inception he was ell
tirely unconscious. Without Il single
exception it was the first time IN ff-
teen years that he had been received
GU Il foating OF equality even init
macy-with that high type OF woman
hood to which his birth entitled him
and which had been forfeited when he
bad yielded to the lure Of the river and
the wi!es of evil companions. And,
even though he did not forget that his
present standing had been won by
grace of IL girls ready sympathy. the
knowledge did not Interfere with a
thorough enjoyment and appreciation
Of the moment.
Under the impression that they were
entertaining Colonel Moreau. benefac-
tor and cha mpiOn Of the Randall fam.
lily. Miss Pleydeil and Nine. Davezac
yielded the more readily to Kirby's
charm of manner. while the General,
Conscious that he was acting in some
mysterious way Is the secret and
trusty friend of his hairbreadth escape
hero. hung on the latter's every word.
Indeed. more ilupregnable audience
would have found their entertainer ir-
resistible. for Kirby put forth every
effort 10 please. his payment laugh
from Adele or IL flush in her pale cheek.
Nor were his efforts prompted by ego
ism. any longing for self exploitation:
rather. In fact. they were spontaneous.
a tribute to the goddess Fortune. which
had graciously associated him with a
type Of femininity which he had long
ed to meet and despaired of so doing.
Thus. with it's 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 clucking ut the horses. jog
ged placidly over the sllnlit roads.
while Anatole Veaudry. riding gloom
lily behind, WINGED whenever he heard
Adele's fresh and care free laughter
1t was an unwOnted sound. and more
than once he caught himself comment
Ing that it was as unwelcome.
Meanwhile Kirby's good angel-if a
professional gambler may be permit
ted to own one was in another direc-
tion looking after his interests with
unabated zeal. postponing his exposure
and consequently rrolonging his in
timacy with the Randals
1t must be remembered that only
Tom Randall and bis 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 pianta-
'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 to the plantation.
where he confidently expected to find
Judge PleydelI. who had preceded him
thither: but. learning ON his arrival
that tue latter had ridden over to his
plantation. Aaron immediately follow
ed. 1t 80 happened. however. tina.
DNN6C Z Ky OCAs uupiCtluS OIS CIlul1O
had returned to the Randalls and. TAX
ing short cut through a lane which
connected the two estates, unwitting-
" passed Aaron. who had followed the
highr0ad. Thus when Kirby aud the
ladies' eventually arrived the old Judge,
supported by jubilant crowd of ne
gro field hands and domestic servants.
was the only one to welcome them.
Standing on the steps Of the wide
veranda while she swung her bonnet
by its strings. Adele, smiling and flush
ing by turns, boldly introduced the
pseudo Moreau to her family's old
friend
Colonel Moreau. this Is indeed a
happy and propitious OCCASION" warm
ly responded the judge. while he shook
Kirby by the hand. "And never in my
life have seen SO delightful and vel
come an alteration as is apparent in
the health and spirits of the young
mistress Of this plantation. What is
the magic secret to account for so
great change since last EVENING""
'Ah. it was the ride" demurely sug-
gested his daughter, glancing from
Adele to Kirby.
"The ride!" echoed Nine. Davezac.
"Mais-non. 1t was that charming
Colonel Moreau. | think he brings the
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. offering
the excuse that she wished to see her
roses again. sought flower basket and
scissors and. accompanied by the in,
domitable Kirby. repaired to the gar
den. Anatole watching them with
broody. longing eyes.
Presently be ha0aDle aware that IN
other WAS aS Interested aS himself.
and. turning. Ep found Group at his
elbow The old serving man rp,lin