The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-08

| him thar by remaining he was icOuard-
iziDg her tururr I"',re aud happiness.
He must save her from herself ana
| from him ana. no matter how diiliculI
1t would prove. kill her dawnng inter
est, which naturally was based on ;he
| suppOSition that he was ii gentleman
| privileged to associate With one OF her
standing. Filled with th,s 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. Ia better 90. Already
you've helped me more than you
ought"
I Instantly the angelic. wrapt express
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
! don't want to-"
"No." he admitted. "But-but
can't stay"
| 'Do you want me to believe that
you're afraid?'
eyes. 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.
/ don't believe you were ever afraid
Of man in your life" She stood very
straight and looked into his eyes, an
increduous. challenging smile on her
lips.
"No, / was never afraid Of a man."
he admitted quietly. But am afraid
Of
"Of me" she whispered interpreting
the pause.
"Yes," he said simply.
Her eyes battled to meet his own,
but every effort proved futile. and at
length. colorng vividy. she sought the
garden seat. nalf turning her back.
While he pre-empted the arm, toying
restleSsly with the white camellia he
still carried
81 gather from the stories you read
the General" he continued, bending
toward her, while he smiled half Gym
ically. "that the bad prince always
keeps following the beautiful princess.
and of course she always finds him
out. Now, it looks to Inc like a 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 TREMENDOUSLY. but
withal brave and to the point
IL 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.
81 can't" he said doggedly. "And
the sooner l 60 the better. Don't let
anything ever make you sorry that
you helped me. Goodby." And. throw
ing the camellia on the bench, be res
olutely offered his hand.
But she ignored the hand and picked
up the discarded flower.
'Not yet. not yet" she whispered
'"There is Ann calling me. and | must
dress for dinner. But l 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 detected
ly on the garden seat. while she few
into the house.
The sun had set. and twilight was
fast approaching. the shadows of the
trees blending in one solid gray i'm
palpable mass. 1t seemed as IL the dis
appearance of the sun and Adele had
been cOincident. productive of the
same effect. Without warning the
days work seemed to be clamoring for
toll, demanding more than Kirby own
ed. He felt weary. spent. utterly for
saken and alone. the bleak aud barren
future stretching interminably before
him. Hostage of his bitter humor. he
was oblivious to the fact that the old
negro. Group. watching his opportu-
nifty. had stolen from the house and
was now regarding him fixedly. and he
started when at length the other tim
idly ventured to address him.
"Marse. yo' scuSe me. sab. Could
yO' be so 'bligin' an kind TO me TO
ask yo' a question:" prefaced Group.
with a humble bow. Il got a very
strong membunce O. de way yo' Is fa-
vOred in de profyle. but it must a
been long time since yo' was here.
kase l don't place yo' das right, spe-
cially by de name. sab"
81 have never been here before" re-
piled Kirby truthfuly.
"Well. slah ole Group got rack his
wool some. kase | knows yo' face as
we'll as | knows my own. bet amt
goin' to get to sleep wink tonight
tryin' to 'membeh whah it was / know
yo', sah."
Amused by the otaers evident per-
plexity. Kirby in his characteristic
fashion temporarily dismissed his own
trouble and said, with a smile: Come.
cheer up 1t isn't as bad as that"
Instantly Group turned. electrified.