The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-26

WY
"HAvE TWO sADDLED, HE ADDED QUIETLY
mutely eying the cards, the other his
fingers. fugitive sunbeam. herald Of
the morning. stole into the room to
shame the smoky yellow Of the lamps.
In the sunbeam's golden wake there
followed faint breeze that stirred
the curtains and sent a current Of
cool. pure air swirling through the
stagnant atmosphere. Then there fell
upon the silence. with a softness so i'm
palpable that 1t seemed merely a pro-
gression Of the hush. the sound Of dis
tant singing. For some time strain
| and source we're alike indefinite,
mere setting to harmony the charm
Of the young morning. And then it
arose like sweeping curve Of beauty
until 1t resolved itself into the throaty,
melodious chorus Of mississippi Riv-
err"
Kirby shivered. and his eyes came
back from the great beyond. while
Bunce shook himself like a great dog
leaving the water
"There's the niggers goin' out to the
cane" he said laconically. THE morn
ms here. Well. Gene?"
"Well. Larkin?"
The other hesitated. fortlfying him
self with cheroot. which he content
ed himself with chewing. finally he
arose. Offering elaborate 81 of de-
parture.
Il hate to see man lose out on
everything" he tentatively observed.
"Well. I'm goin'. Gene reckon
they'll let me have boss now. Mcb-
be ! better have two saddled. eh:"
"Well. what do you Think" parried
Kirby. slowly lifting the deck of cards
from the table. lis that my wife: DO
! turn back 20 the old river road with
you, or do r. He lifted his head
with Frightening vision. Have two
saddled." he added quietly, with bitter
hnality
Bunce nodded slowly, understand
ingly.
Alone Kirby remained at the table.
staring and seeing not
Take one good look at yourself.
Gene Kirby: then take another at
her." he mused mechanically and
with dull monOtony reiterating the
phrase. Take one good look at your
self. Gene Kirby / might never nave
thought OF that-I have been so busy
looking at her"
AS he sat there face TO face with the
future. striving to learn remuneration
without embitterment, the General,
now dressed in nightclothes. tiptoed
softly into the room.
They sent me to bed again." he
whispered. triumphant at his evasion.
while he cuddled against the mans eX-
tended arm. Il want 10 know the end
of that story. Tell me-
Kirby Strove to assume his wonted
gayety Of manner. How long ag, il
seemed since in the closed carriage he
had prompted that light hearted laugh
ter!
$50 you made another hairbreadth
escape. General" he commented light
ly. And you want TO hear the end of
the story-about the bad prince who
was half good? IL don't know if /
can tell You the end"
"Why? Hasn't the end happened
YETI"
! "YcS; it's come"
: "But it ended all right didn't IT,"
persisted the General. with all youths
, confident optimism.
Yes" said the man; "it ended all
right"
: But | want TO know if he's still
mixed princc-a mixed good and bad
! prince"
Kirby pressed Il weary hand over his
throhbing forehead. 81 guess he's prct-
ty much mixed" he confessed. still
smiling hravCly.
The child pondcrcd Ger this state
! mcnt until mt length he began to nod.
/ "Did-did he 80 away" he murmurcd
. drowsiy, mquisitivcucSs battling no
bly, against outraged nature.
"Ycs- he went away" whispered the
man, his arm tightening about the
small form. "You'rc sleepy. General"