The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-22

To complete our ostensible purpose in form the servants we are leaving, nev- CT to return, and let Miss Adele pack up and take with her such things as belonged to her mother and upon which this scoundrel can have no legal claim. By the way, we must assume charge of Colonel Moreau's portman- teau, with such effects as 1t may con- tain. It is our duty to inquire if be left any next of kin and to return his belongings to them. Poor gentleman so honorable, chivalrous and coura- geous. regret that had not the ex- treme honor of meeting him while he was yet living"
 As, in quest of the portmanteau, Aaron entered the deserted drawing room Kirby, pacing the balcony, hail. ed him from the window
 MT. Randall, if you think that ex- citable young cousin of yours is ready to listen to me there's something I've got to tell him." he said quietly, mas tering his irritation.
 "Tt is our intention that you shall see him, sir, as soon as the ladies have gone," replied Aaron, with a signifi- canoe lost on the other.
 When the ladies have goneT echoed Kirby, entirely without comprehension, for be had never contemplated such a move.
 MT. Randall nodded.
 "Mr. Kirby" he said coldly, '1n their sense of honor to the dead man who lost this place to you his children do not oppose your possession. But you can scarcely imagine they would be willing to pass the night under this roof once you had claimed it"
 Without comment Kirby returned to the balcony. He looked old and care worn. for the words had stung him to the quick. Twice within the past hour he had sent request for an interview to Adele, and as yet she had made no answer. This, then, was the explana- ton. Evidently he was deemed too unclean a thing even to look upon. He did not greatly wonder, for he could never efface the memory of her horri- fled look and cry when the mask had fallen and the bad prince stood reveal ed. After all, the penalty for his re- maining had been immeasurably great CT than he had anticipated.
 Meanwhile Aaron had bent over the portmanteau, which still lay open upon a chair as Judge Pleydell had left it. In searching for Colonel Moreau's Der ringer the contents of the suit case had been somewhat disarranged, and the methodical Aaron now withdrew a badly crumpled coat, intending to fold it neatly before replacing it. As he did so red morocco box fell from one of the pockets. Aaron, about to return it, suddenly started and held it under the light of an adjacent lamp, for the inscription on the lid which had arrested his attention was: Mar garet Randall to her husband, John Randall"
 Margaret Randall-that was Adele's mother" he exclaimed in wonder.
 'sWhat is that?" asked M. Veaudry, entering the room and noting the oth- CTS interest.
 "Something that fell from Colonel Moreau's portmanteau," replied Aaron, opening the box and examining its con- tents. "You see, it is the miniature of Adele's mother that that gambler won the night he won the plantation" nod ding to the balcony where Kirby could be heard pacing back and forth. You know he got even my poor cousins jewels. This D set with. diamonds. Look-half of them are gone."
 "To the pawnshop, eh?" ventured M. veaudry "Yet you found it in Colonel Moreau's portmanteau? It is very strange. How has it come thereT
 'eNo one knows but Colonel Moreau, and he can't answer anything now" said Aaron scIemnly. "You better give this box to Tom."
 Like his older brother, the General has proved an unwilling participant in Judge Pleydell's maneuver. The child strongly disapproved of the idea. for he was now summarily hauled out of bed and forced to exchange the known comforts of that article for the doubt full accommodations of the drawing room sofa.
 What for do they make me get up in the middle of the night" be sleepi- ly demanded as Group made up the impromptu bed in the now deserted room. What for do they dress me again?"
 "Yo's gwine to Jedge Pleydell's plan tation, honey" patiently explained the old servant for the tenth time. ''Dey go'n' pack up all yo' n'P clothes an all dem toys yo' had when yo' was a baby. Dey ain't gwine to 'sturb yo' so much hyah."
 "But I don't want to go to Judge PleydelIs plantation" peevishfy pro- tested the child. Aren't we ever coming back here to live againT'
 "No'm, I don't hardly spect so, H1' marse. To kain't stay no mo hyah, honey, an ole Group kain't go nowah wifi yo' alps no mo. Ole niggah got a new marse now Yo' must sleep, honey. I wake yo' when dey ready. ii'P marse. Hesh, honey, hesh" And Group lightly tiptoed from the room as the General nodded drowsily and then closed his weary eyes.
 And thus Kirby found him. As if conscious of the others gaze, the boy instantly awoke with start and sat bolt upright. throwing off his impromp- tI1 covers