The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-06-20
.(Continued.)

d and harp, and when the soft prelude had finished Adsle's fine contralto took up the theme, singing. 'I sent thee late a rose wreath, not so much honor1ng thee" It was Kirby's favorite song, snatches of which AnatOle had heard the other hunming at intervals since his arrival. Clearer, swseter, purer sounded the words until the music as- cended like an anthem and came steal Ing out of the window to mingle with the soft murmur of the night, to blend with the unheard. far distant harmony of the stars. Anatole stood transfixed, a prey to the bitterest emotione to which man was ever hostage
 You hear?' he cried passionately, turning to Aaron. For the first time since how long? Now she wear nc more black Now she is no more ei- lent Now she sing, not for her broth CT, not for those who love her. not for me-
 "No; it's for Colonel Moreau." fn- ished the older man, throwing away his cigar.
 The creole laughed harshly, contemp- tuously, his black eyes snapping with passion ''For Colonel MoreauT I dare you-look me in the face and say that man is Colonel Moreau," way ing trembling hand to the window.
 "I shall tell you nothing" replied Aaron sternly "No matter what sus- pect, I don't know. And I won't let a man be killed until do know.''
 "When you met this man you did not know him." said Anatole, with slow significance. ''I think to myself-who ! can he be? make a guess and an- other guess and another guess, but I am not sure''
 "ETactly,Y commented Mir. Randall, with some sharpness. There you are. | You are not sure. Neither am I. There Is nothing to do but to await Tom RandaIrs arrival or, failing that, some authority from him, instructing us how to act; otherwise our honor binds us, and we must meet this diff ficult matter with such patience and fortitude as we may possess. At the same time I thoroughly understand your feelings, and you have my entire sympathy. Let us pray this unbear- able suspense will soon be terminated, for I make a poor and unwilling con- spirator."
 Meanwhile, at the card table, Messrs Kirby and Bunce had been acting for the benefit of the audience, farce Two seasoned gamblers, men who knew every game and trick embraced in cards and to N-hom the pasteboards were as familiar as ones knife and fork, it was somewhat difficult to sim ulate that chronic state of ignorance for which their self relegated position in society should attest.
 Moreover, Kirby's native histrionic ability was badly handicapped by his thoughts being solely centered upon the now absent Adele, while the worthy Bunce's natural clumsiness was greatly enhanced by anxiety over their mutual safety, re-enforced by a per spiring embarrassment at finding him. self unit of such society. Happily for them their partners were not of a suspicious or inquiring turn of mind and were entirely engrossed with the game.
 "You gentlemen know the cards Hitler" Mme Davezac had ventured, with a charming and guileless belief in their ignorance. "Well, we shall teach you something new of the game, maybe"
 'I'n be glad to learn something new about it." Kirby replied, with gravity and perfect truth.
 Mime. Davezac, with sadly amateur ish fingers, assisted with many a four ish, intended to impress the presuma- ble tyros with a fitting admiration for her skill, proceeded to cut the deck, while Bunce eyed her gloomily and mentally criticised what he termed a ''dirty rifle" His professional dignity was outraged by the fact that she had cut to the last card and then serenely reunited the deck. and, forgetting him. self. he was about to assert his rights and demand a new shuttle when a warning kick from Kirby checked him.
 "Ah, 'ds your deal" Mime. Davezac at length exclaimed, rendering the cards to Bunce. First you must make the cards well-m1x them, so-like you saw me. See, you suf-fel, as they call it. You think you can do thatY'
 "Yes'm, I reckon I can git that fur," he ventured modestly Taking the deck, he promptly forgot his role and proceeded to give a very fine demon stration of the professional shuttle, spreading the cards in the air between his hands until he resembled an ex- pert bartender mixing drinks. This completed to his entire satisfaction, he spouted out the pasteboards in a deal of lightning-like rapidity, while Mime. Davezac and the old judge sat bolt upright with astonishment. At length an extra desperate and well executed kick from Kirby checked the old gam bler's stirring exhibition, and, covered with confusion, he dropped several cards to the floor and, in order to hide his flaming cheeks, stopped and began to raiserably grope for them.
 "You see.'' exclaimed Kirby, "my secretary is not so experienced as he might be- To spseti confG entialIy, I would have let hin go last month if it weren't that he is the only support of a wife and eleven chilcren.''
 "T wish I was in the lower regions" eroaned Bunce sotto voce.
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