The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-10-20
CAIlE0
By Booth
Harrington and
Harry Leon
Wilson
4 COPYRIGHT. 1903. BY TIE


an interested spectator Of the little
tableau, exchanged with his compan-
ion a significant glance Of grave sus-
picion.
He mus have changed quickly. this
colonel, since you saw him this morn
Ing" he commented dryly. II think
But who IL this gentleman" turning
to confront Larkin Bunce. who, mop
ping his infamed face with q dusty
sleeve, had thrown himself from his
weary horse and boldly entered the
gate. In fact, he had ridden a. a
breakneck pace all the way from New
Orleans.
'Your servant. sir" he greeted, bow
ing to Aaron. I'm lookin' for the
gentleman who come here in the car
riage with the ladies'"
"Ah," exclaimed Mr.. Randall, close
ly scanning the other. you're the gea-
tleman who came to see Colonel Mo-
reau this morning. Do You wish to
see him now%
: Bunce started violently, turning a
pale as kis oyerheated condition per.
mitted. Good God, por' hs e1elaim>
ed. -sfHzEX2 SE
, But It was Colons; Moreau who
accompanied the ladies'" explained
Aaron. "And. Sir. here he is now"
The old gambler turned with a sub
dued exclamation Of alarm. as II fully
expecting 10 Dee the ghost Of the hts
lamented Moreau. But instead his
startled eyes met those of bis partner.
who, humnaipg softly to himself, was
calmly approaching. white camellia
In hts hand.
"Come, cheer up, Mr.. Bunce. I hope
see you well" greeted Kirby. Then.
politely turning to Aaron. he added:
-'Mr. Bunce Is confused. His long ride
In the heat has been too much for him.
Mr.. Bunce Is my-secretary. he looks
robust, but is, in fact, very delicate.
Might 50 far trespass upon your hos
pitality as 10 beg q cooling draft for
himT"
Aaron bowed gravely and, accompa.
MED by NJ. veaudry. retired indoors.
They had hardly left when Bunce's
dong repressed emotion overcame him.
"A coolin' draft" he echoed. with
violent scorn. 81 want drink, and
let 1t be strorg. friend. 1 always
knowed you was fool, Gene Kir-
by. but I never knowed 1t was as
bad as this. All the names in the
y world to pick from. and you chose the
name of Jack Moreau! Why, dog my
catsw
Chance, Larkin, chance" returned
Kirby. quite unmoved. 1T was the
angel Of chance who gave me- the
name"
Angels? Angelsy' caught up the
other, his voice faint with the violence
of his sarcasm. "Darned If amt lost
my hearin'. I'll be dogged II l amt
delirious. Skin me II it don't SEEN like
I'm settn' out in a garden and hearin'
Gene Kirby talkin' about angels. It
sounded Jest like his voice. Angels,
he says. Him-Cameo Kirby! Poor
old Gene Kirby! Why. you mush
Drained chucklehead." he finished an
grily. don't you know that Tom Ran
dall's been raisin' h all over Moo Or
leans. tryin' to run you down"
'Weli, what Of 1T"
Bunce, making a gesture eloquent Of
despair, feebly sought the garden seat
and mopped his intiamed face anew.
"He asks me what of that" he walled
to the surrounding scenery. You
pore. wanderin' lunatic! You know
blame well that Of all places on earth
this Is the last you should have tum-
bled into. Now" with sudden energy
and decision. git ready to git out
quick! My boss is dead beat. but git
your angel to loan you one and slope
for the river. I'll catch you up at
NatcheZ."
But Kirby calmly refused the prof
fered riding whip.
whats au the reason I shouldn't
stay here?' he demanded. why
should 1 expect danger from these
people-Mme. Davezac, a Miss Pley-
dell and her father, creole named
Veaudry and Miss Adele.
'Miss Adele who?" beloved Bunce.
81 don't know. That's all I've heard
them call her."
Here the fates again intervened IN
the name Of procrastination, for before
Bunce could inform his partner that
he was the guest Of the family which,
thanks to the efforts OF Colonel Mo-
reau. was his sworn enemy the ladies
entered, and to the feshy gamblers
infinite disgust. anger and misery he
was again promptly introduced by hir-
by as my secretary" Moreover, de-
spite his utmost efforts he eventually
found himself pledged to remain the
night.
But / dursn't do it. ma'am," he had
expostulated to the smiling and in
domitable Nine Davezac. "Afe and
rnlnnol Mo-