The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1910-10-12
Adapted From
the Play Of the Same
Name by W. B. NJ.
Ferguson


meanor. laid a hand on Kirby's shoul-
der his companions exchanged startled
and significant glances. while Mr.
Bunce grew apologetic and edged
nearer his partner. All eyes were now
on Kirby. but his expression Of mild
surprise and courteous interest never
changed
"Well. l reckon I'd have to say that
the joke was on me. Judge" he calmly
replied.
Pleydell began to laugh.
"Well, sir. according to rumor. you
amt here. According to rumor. you
ain't anywhere. because you're dead"
To him 1t was huge joke, and he
roared until the tears mingled with
his snowy mustache. all ignorant of
the fact that he had propounded a
literal truth: ignorant Of the fact that
his companions were still significantly
eying each other and that Mr.. Bunce
was having exceeding difficulty with
his collar. In fact. Kirby was the
sole member OF the interested audi
ence who appeared to appreciate the
full humor Of the situation.
when Is my funeralT' he asked.
with a smile. IL don't want to miss
that"
His composure somewhat recovered.
but. still chuckling and occasionally 60
Ing Off into another spasm Of laughter
the judge proceeded to explain the
manner I'm which he had gained the
interesting information.
'"The afternoon steamer does not
stop. sir. and am obliged to row out
In a boat to get my letters. The news
was shouted to US from the deck as
she moved away. All I could catch
was the words, Colonel Moreau dead.
and l think they added. This morn
ing The distance was too great for
me to secure any further items from
that interesting liar. sir"
And. still laughing. Pleydell clapped
Kirby on the shoulder. while Mr..
Bunce. drawing his first long breath.
mutely thanked the Almighty that all
guilelessness and innocence had not
entirely deserted mankind when the
serpent entered Eden.
But It was apparent that Mr.. Ran
dali and M. veaudry owned more dis
cernment and that their quick suspi-
cions. previously aroused. had now be-
come active, pregnant with danger. 1t
30 happened that they were now aug.
mented by none other than the Gen
eral, who would have died rather than
Willingly betay his trust. During the
judges discourse the boy had Joined
the group, seeking out Kirby as his
natural companion. Looking at the
others hand and again at his breast.
the General suddenly exclaimed: ~
know what all those things are tha,
you wear. They're canoes"
Canoes" exclaimed Aaron under
his breath. his eyes returning to those
Of N. Veaudry.
Meanwhile Adele had been busily
preparing for her last mute appeal to
Kirby to remain. For the first time
since her fathers death she discarded
mourning and In Its place arrayed
herself In treasured evening gown OF
white satin purchased In Paris before
the long shadow had descended upon
the family fortunes. She was deter
mined to look her best that night and
In this feminine maneuver was enthu-
siastically supported by her aunt and
Ann Pleydell, who. II they did not
suspect the cause, were entirely hap
py with the result, for they had long
been urging the girl to discard the
morbid preoccupation and settled mis-
cry which had threatened to sap VI
tality. embitter life; anx;ons.v sought
and hoped for some means Of trans
forming her into the girl she once had
been.
II now appeared as II their most op-
timistic desires had materialized, for
II had been many long day since
Adele had evinced such anxious care
and pride I'm her toilet. assumed the
necessary duty with such lightsoms
heart and eager. feverish fingers
With pardonable vanity she closely
scanned her reflection In the mirror
seeking q blepish and finding 1t not
Anueeu, ner toilet nnished, the result
more than justified her elaborate and
careful preparation. As a finishing
touch she pinned In her coiffure the
white camellia which Kirby had dis
carded. and. conscious that she had
done her very best In this important
detail OF her maneuver. she repaired
to the veranda. accompanied by Mime
Davezac and Miss Pleydell. suitably
attIred for the evening.
The moon had now risen, flooding
the garden with It's brilliant light and
disclosing Mr.. Randall and NJ. Veaudry
standing little apart from the 9TH
ers. their attitude eloquent of hostile
suspicion. A pregnant silence had sue
ceeded the Generals exclamation. a
silence broken at length by tense
whisper from Bunce