The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-15


pretty for bad companions like that.
And then, one by one. those shabby
playing cards. lying on their backs in
the water began to sink under and
| drown. Then along came an eddy and
caught that pretty rosebush and swung
1t out into the current. and away 1t
went down the stream, happy and
proud in just glory Of sunshine and
sparkle. 1t served those old playing
cards right. They ought to have been
drowned for tying to keep company
so high above them. That's what |
thought looking down from the boats
rail"
Without conscious effort or any at
tempt at elocution Kirby had told the
little allegory with simple feeling ana
sincerity. his manner growing more
abstracted until at the conclusion it
seemed as If he were speaking to his
inner self, taking counsel with all that
was best In him. Silence ensued, while
Adele looked dreamily away, and he
continued to stare at the cards. but
seeing them not.
whether he has a right or not?" she
ventured at length. speaking so low
that he strained forward to catch the
words
Doesn't n woman always want him
to?" he gravely returned.
"Ah, but there Is something a wo-
man wants man to do more than
that-she wants him not to give up
anything till-he is beaten" she whis.
pered.
Suppose he is the kind Of man that
ought to be beaten?'
She arose. throwing the scarf about
her shoulders. and walked meditatively
to the door.
"But mightn't 1t be perhaps-perhaps
with one woman" she whispered. "he
couldn't be beaten even then?"
Astonished at her own daring, she
gave little gasp, then incontinently
fed. while Kirby stood staring after
her. fearing to interpret her words. He
turned with start as Bunce strobe
through the balcony window.
"Well. have you told her goodby 2"
snapped Larkin. who had interpreted
the foregoing passage as a species Of
farewell.
"No." said Kirby violently. irritated
at the interruption.
"Well, / reckon It's about time to
sit down and take good hard think"
warned the other. pacing the room like
an excited sentry. "Do you think you
could git this girl" he continued. with
heavy sarcasm. How about 1t when
she finds out who you are-Cameo
Kirbyr
Easy en- that name. Larkin!'
EASY on the namev" beloved
Bunce. appealing to the ceiling. "Why,
It's been shriekin' through this house
ever since you got here. There's been
two fellers within ten feet Of you all
the time who never took their eyes
onn you-that young Veaudry and
Aaron Randall. Do you reckon they
think you're Colonel Moreau? Why, I
seen them leave the house a short spell
back, and I'd be willin' to bet my i'm.
mortal soul they're on to our makeups
and are plannin' to raise h with us.
/ tell you this place is gittin' too hot
FOR Larkin Bunce. You haven't said
| goodby to her? Well, then, I'll say
| goodby to you. Somebody's got to be
loose. I wouldn't be no good to you
nor to me either-in jail. For the last
time." he pleaded. making an implor-
Ing gesture with his trembling hands.
'.are you comm with me?"
Kirby. who had quietly resumed his
place at the table, now slowly shuffied
| the deck and carefully inspected the
card that had turned up.
NO" he said, with grave finality,
I'm not going with you, my friend.
The hands dealt; Iii play it out"
For Gods sake, Genev implored
Bunce. "rhen got to quit you. You
know what this means to me-" he add
ed despairingly. 81 hate to go, but
there's no sense In my stayin'"
mo. And | thank you for staying
as long as you have" interrupted Kir.
by. with smile, rising and placing his
hand on the others shoulder. I'm
afraid | haven't been thinking very
much of you, old partner. But I'm go
ing to stay-call 1t what you like.
However, this is not your hand. Lar
kin. and Cont want you to help me
play 1t out. Go. by all means, and at
once. Did you get fresh horseY"
"A fresh horse? Why. wouldn't
even burst to ask for the one | come
on" cried Bunce. mopping his face.
you don't seem to rightly size up the
mess were IN, Gene. I'll be lucky to
git out on my own two feet. / don't
even know where they put my hat,
and I'm skeered to ask for it. Then it
amt no more use my askin' you to
Gomez
mo more use than In your staying"
said Kirby.