The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-16

welcome experience he had forgotten his calling, his reputation-forgotten that he was a common gambler. with no claim upon such society as he was now enjoying-forgotten everything but that, by some miraculous fortune, he had been transplanted to the land of his dreams, had met its central fig ure and had promptly plunged head over heels in love.
 Kirby's thorough if tardy self cen sure, however. was hardly Justified, for he had made no conscious efforts to enlist Adele's regard, and their mu- tual attraction had been as instan- taneous and spontaneous as 1t was nat ural and to be expected. But the knowledge of her identity had awak- ened him to a lively sense of his true position, and. although he was far from being the scoundrel which Mo- reau had pictured and Adele believed him, his regard for her clearly showed him that by remaining he was leopard izing her future peace and happiness. He must save her from herself and from him and no matter how difficult it would prove, kill her dawning inter- est, which naturally was based on the supposition that he was a gentleman privileged to associate with one of her standing. Filled with this resolution. he now turned and said:
 Miss Randall, you've been kinder to me than any woman ever was. You saved my life this morning. But my friend is right I'd better go. Already you've helped me more than you ought
 Instantly the angelic, wrapt expres- sion was sponged from her face, and. astonished, almost angry, she turned upon him.
 "Why? What right have you to say that?'' she demanded. Do you think I don't want top
 ''No,'' he admitted. "But-but I can't stay"
 "Do you want me to believe that you're afraid?'
 'fYes, Pm afraid.''
 Afraid because we expect the real Colonel Moreau tonight or tomorrow? I'm not afraid of his coming, and you can't make me believe that you are. I don't believe you were ever afraid of man in your life" She stood very straight and looked into his eyes, an incredulous, challenging smile on her lips
 ssNo, I was never afraid of a man, he admitted quietly 'But am afraid of
 "Of me?" she whispered Interpreting the pause.
 'sYes,'' he said simply. Her eyes battled to meet his own but every effort proved futile, and al length, coloring vividly, she sought the garden seat, half turning her back while he pre-empted the arm, toying restlessly with the white camellia he still carried.
 'I gather from the stories you read the General he continued, bending toward her, while he smiled half cyn- ically, ''that the bad prince always keeps following the beautiful princess, and of course she always finds him out. Now, it looks to me like weak ness in his character that he doesn't quit before she has the chance to. In my opinion, he's a fool to take the risk"
 Her answer came tremulously, but withal brave and to the point.
 'I suppose l could find a story in which she would want him to take the chance. Now-now, are you going to stay?" turning and looking up, half daringly, into his eyes
 'I can't" he said doggedly. "And the sooner I go the better. Don't let anything ever make you sorry that you helped me. Goodby." And, throw ing the camellia on the bench, he res olutely offered his hand.
 But she ignored the hand and picked up the discarded flower.
 "Not yet, not yet" she whispered .aThere is Ann calling me, and I must dress for dinner. But I shall expect to see you again before you leave You will wait here? You may tell me goodby then-if you wish to-
 He bowed, seating himself dejected' ly on the garden seat, while she flew into the house.
 The sun had set, and twilight wal fast approaching, the shadows of the trees blending in one solid gray i'm palpable mass. It seemed as if the dis appearance of the sun and Adele haG been coincident, productive of tht same effect. Without warning tht days work seemed to be clamoring fol toll, demanding more than Kirby own ed. He felt weary, spent, utterly for saken and alone, the bleak and barrer future stretching interminably before him. Hostage of his bitter humor, h' was oblivious te the fact that the ole negro, Group, watching his opportu nifty, had stolen from the house ant was now regarding him fixedly, and ht started when at length the other tim idly ventured to address him.
 "Marse, yo' scuse me, sah. Coul6 yo' be so 'bligin' an kind fo' me tt CrnnD