The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1910-11-24
Adapted From
the Play of the Same
Name by w. B. NJ.
Ferguson
AlNSLEE MAGAZINE COMPANY

ouence his native fund Of good humor
had been abuD1antly REINFORCED.
Take Miss Randall while you can
git her." he advised. "She amt think
in tonight of you bein' q gambler
"What do you suppose she'll think Of
it tomorrow? Think she'll remember
what am. perhaps:'
"Mebbe she went think OF it tomor-
row." said Burce hopefully.
But what about that young Neau-
dry? She'd never have to think of
ANYTHING he's done-or was" pursued
Kirby. Pretty square sort of fell
low. Larkin. Looks to me like | owe
him q clear field TO himself
Il amt denyiu' but what he acted a
gentleman 10 you. Gene. But nnw's
the time YOU got to think of yourself"
Looks to ne you're considerable Of
a turncoat." smiled Kirby, picking up
a card What were You saying 10 me
about this? There's my wife. | mar
ried that for better or for wOrSe-too
long ago for Il woman To come between
us now. Aud what else was that YOU
said? Oh. yes-''rake ore good look at
yourself. Gene Kirby: then take an
other at her.
Buucc SnunlCd feebly. GIVE kiNd O
changed my mind since said that"
he mumbled. ''Besides." consulting
his watch. lit was long time ago. 1t
was last night now"
Silence came. and with it the white
dawn, and as still the men sat, one
mutely eying the cards. the other his
fingers. n 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 current OF
cool. pure air swiring through the
staSnant atmosphere. Then there fell
upon the silence. with softnesS 50 i'm
palpable that it seemed merely a pro-
gression Of the hush. the sound OF dis
! tant singing. For some time STRAIN
and source were alike indefinite.
mere setting to harmony the charm
! Of the young morning. And then It
arose like a sweeping curve Of beauty
until it 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. fortifying him.
self with a cheroot. which he content.
ed himself with chewing. Finally he
arose. Offering elaborate signs Of de-
parture.
"I hate to see a man lose out on
everything he tentatively observed.
well, I'm goin', Gene. l reckon
they'll let me have boss now. Meb-
be bettep have two saddled, eh"
well, what do you think" parried
Kirby, slowly lifting the deck Of cards
from the table. rs that my wife? Do
turn back to the old river road with
you. or do p He lifted his head
with Frightening vision. Have two
saddled," he added quietly, with bitter
fnality.
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 l might never have
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 enlightenment, the General,
now dressed in nightclothes, uptoed
softly into the room.
They sent me to bed again. he
at LIS S'o"iDh'
while he cuddled against the mans ex-
tended arm. Il want TO know the end
of that story. Tell me-"
Kirby strove to assume his wonted
gayety of manner. How long ago ID
seemed since in the closed carriage be
had prompted that light hearted laugh
ter,
$50 you made another hairbreadth
escape. General" he commented light
ly. And you want 10 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 l want to know if he's still a