The Irish standard., 1911-01-07
Copyright. 1909. by the Ainslee Magazine
= Company

while Anatole veaudry, riding gloom
lily behind, WINGED whenever he heard
Adele's fresh and care free laughter.
1t was an unwonted sound, and more
than once he caught himself comment
ing that 1t was as unwelcome.
Meanwhile Kirby's good angel-if a
professional gambler may be permit
ton looking after his interests with
undated zeal, postponing his exposure
and consequently prolonging his in
timacy with the Randalls.
It must be remembered that only
Tom Randall and his cousin Aaron
had met Colonel Moreau, and thus Kir-
by's exposure as an impostor could only
come from these two. The hot headed,
vengeful boy was. still busy securing
New Orleans for his supposed enemy.
and thus his presence at the planta-
ton would be indefinitely postponed
until he had either succeeded in track
ing Kirby or had abandoned all hope
Of so doing.
On the other hand, however, Aaron,
needing his Cousins wishes, had &C.
companied Group to the plantation,
where he confidently expected to find
Judge Pleydell, who had preceded him
thither; but, learning on his arrival
that the latter had ridden over to his
plantation, Aaron Immediately follow
cd 60 honnnraA ho
Judge Pleydell, completing his errand,
had returned to the Randalls and, TAX
ing q short cut through a lane which
connected the two estates, unwilling
~ passed Aaron, who had followed the
highroad. Thus when Kirby and the
ladies eventually arrived the old Judge,
supported by a jubilant crowd of ne
gro field hands and domestic servants,
was the only one to welcome them.
Standing on the steps of the wide
veranda while she swung her bonnet
by it's strings, Adele, smiling and flush
ing by turns, boldly introduced the
pseudo Moreau to her family's old
friend.
Colonel Moreau, this is indeed
happy and propitious OCCASION" warm
ly responded the judge, while he shook
Kirby by the hand. "And never in my
life have seen so delightful and vel
come an alteration as is apparent in
the health and spirits of the young
mistress of this plantation. What is
the magic secret to account for so
great a change since last EVENING""
"Ah, it was the rider demurely sug-
gested his daughter, glancing from
Adele to Kirby.
"The ride!' echoed Nine. Davezac.
"Mais-non. It was that charming
sunshine we have been waiting for so
long,"
While the others, with the exception
Of the moody and respondent M. Veau-
dry, entered the house, Adele. offering
the excuse that she wished to see her
roses again, sought flower basket and
scissors and, accompanied by the in
domitable Kirby, repaired to the gar
den, Anatole watching them with
broody, longing eyes.
Presently he became aware that an
other was as interested as himself,
and, turning, he found Group at his
elbow. The old serving man contin-
ued for some time to silently scan
Kirby's retreating figure.
"Who you say were dat genaman's
name, Marse Anatole?" he at length
inquired.
"Colonel Moreau," abstractedly re-
piled M. veaudry.
Eyes, sch. Yes, seh," acknowledged
Group. Oats de name what he done
give. Yes, seh." But he was far from
satisfied and. still shaking his head
and mumbling to himself, returned in
doors. Certainly neither Kirby nor
Croup-quondam servant and youthful
master-had the remotest idea that,
after a separation of SO many years,
they had finally met.
Meanwhile Aaron Randall had re-
turned from his abortive mission only
to learn that the elusive Judge Pley-
dell had again left, this time to ride
over to the steamboat landing for ex-
pected letters. But Adele's elderly cous'
in was too excited to longer trouble
himself concerning the judges cratic
movements, for he had learned that
Colonel Moreau had. after all, accom-
panied the ladies' and was at that very
moment with Adele in the garden.
"Why, then," he exclaimed to NJ
Veaudry, who had been his informant
"this can mean only one thing-Cameo
Kirby is dead" And he tersely relat'
ed the meeting at the oaks even down
TO the detail Of Moreau taking the late
John Randall's pistol. ''Tom secretly
followed the colonel" he finished. land
it's devilish strange he didn't return
with him. I don't understand it."
But NJ. Veaudry was only thinking
Of this added advantage which bis
rival had gained in the eyes Of Adele.
"Ah, he has one more privilege
have to envy him. he exclaimed. 81
see be is a gentleman and does not
Toast. Also It is that he would not
tish fha ladies' to know I shall SeeL