The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-12

violated. Moreover. Adele In whose
integrity and force Of character be
had the firmest belief and for whom
he had the highest regard and proof
Of whose acumen he had had ample
testimony. vOuched for the imposture
and even confessed completely If not
actual initiatiye in the same. In the
absence Of Tom Randall she was alb
sOlute mistress. with the right to act
as she deemed fit, and had. moreover.
exasted his word of honor that he
would trust her until the arrival Of
her brother. Even had he been salts
fed with The truth Of his conjectures
regarding Kirby's identity this prom
tse to Adele would have pledged
Aaron to secrecy. and NJ. Veaudry, be-
ing subsequently acquainted with the
compact, likewise agreed that 1t could
not be violated.
For the young creole this passive
role was extremely difficult. and it
was eloquent proof Of his self COM
mand and personal integrity, coupled
with those refined instincts bestowed
BY gentle birth and breeding. that he
considered Aaron's promise equally
binding upon himself and, repressing
all promptings Of jealousy. refrained
from denOuncing Kirby as an impos-
tor. The successful suit of an hOnora-
ble rival would have been difficult
enough to recognize. but this encroach-
ment Of stranger who at the best
was masQuerader If not a character
more sinister and disreputable was in
tolerable. for NJ. Veaudry had gath
cred from Mr.. Randall's manner that
he suspected their guest of beirg
guilty of something more criminal
than assuming name to which he
had no right.
Thus, even while the young creole
and Aaron prayed that Tom Randall's
arrival would be fastened and coinci-
dent with it free vent could be given
to their suspicious. Larkin Bunce ear
nestly hoped to the contrary-hoped
that Kirby would suddenly realize his
danger. growing the more deadly and
certain as every minute passed. and
would ride for the river before the
coming Of Nemesis.
But evidently nothing was more re-
mote from that reckless young gentle
mans intention, for. unmindful of his
partners increasing uneasiness and
that both were the object of watchful,
hostile eyes. he continued to act as if
time and opportunity had been created
solely for Adele and himself. Dinner
finally at an end. he and his young
hostess. entirely absorbed in each 9TH
er's society. sought the drawing room
balcony. while the others. with the ex-
ception Of Bunce. INDUCED in a game
OF piquet. M. veaudry proving
wretched partner. his entire attention
being occupied with the couple on the
balcony.
NJ. Veaudry. owing to his preoccu-
patton. proving such thankless part
ner. Nine. Davezac at last turned to
Bunce and suggested that he and Kir-
by Join the game in lieu of the young
creole and the Judge.
"Eh. truly. Anatole." she added. with
some asperity. tapping the others arm
with her fan. ''yoU cannot keep your
mind on the game. and so we are un-
able to play. Will you surrender your
place to Colonel Moreau?'
1T seems to me that | have already
done that" he responded gloomily.
With as good grace as possible yield
Ing to the dictates of courtesy. Kirby
unwillingly terminated his tete-a-tete
with Adele. and as he approached the
card table his place was promptly pre-
empted by the young Creole, who fol-
lowed Miss Randall to the balcony. 1t
was the first time he had been alone
with Adele. and his long repressed
emotion and bitterness found vent.
"Ah. mamzelle. 1t is true" he said
reproachfully. "You are changed-so
quickly. Yes. you will say wanted to
see you happier. but also had wished
to be the one to make you so. Adele"
he added earnestly. striving to take
her hand. III this difference In you
comes only from the gratitude you
feel toto Colonel Moreau because he
tried to protect your father l shall be
happy. But how have this man be-
witched you that
II don't understand you, Anatole."
she said quietly. drawing away.
"'Tis / that do not understand you.
Adele. think you know from the
nrst he Is not Colonel Moreau. have
some very strange suspicion of him"
Instantly the woman In her was up
In arms. seeking to defend. eager to
DO battle for the object it sought to
shield. 1T Is enough that | know he
is man who has had a great wrong
done him. That's one way of making
q woman believe that you love her
when she's trying to help some one in
trouble. make 1t harder for her-be
Jealous" she finished. with a bitter
laugh.
II am jealous-I do not deny that.
But ! am. first Of all things. q man of