Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1911-05-23

!een years that he had been received
Oh footing Of equality-even init
macy-with that high type Of woman,
hood to which his birth entitled him
and which had been forfeited when he
had yielded to the lure of the river and
the wiles Of evil companions. And,
even though he did not forget that his
present standing had been won by
grace OF a girls ready sympathy. the
knowledge did not interfere with a
thorough enjoyment and appreciation
of the moment.
Under the impression that they were
entertaining Colonel Moreau. benefal'
tor and champion Of the Randall fam
lily. Miss Pleydell and Nine. Davezac
yielded the more readily to kirby's
charm OF manner. while the General.
conscious that he was acting in some
mysterious way as the secret and
trusty friend of his hairbreadth escape
hero, hung on the latter's every word.
Indeed, q more impregnable audience
would have found their entertainer ir-
resistibie. for Kirby put forth every
effort to please. his payment Il laugh
from Adele or flush in her pale cheek
Nor were his efforts prompted by ego
ism, any longing for self exploitation:
rather. in fact, they were spontaneous.
tribute to the goddess Fortune, which
had graciOusly associated him with a
type Of femininity which he had long
ed to meet and despaired of so doing.
Thus. with its four occupants in the
happiest frame Of mind and on the
best Of terms, the roomy. close topped
carriage. its sleepy negro driver mo-
notonously clucking at the horses. jog
ged placidly over the sunlit roads.
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 angcl-if a
professional gambler may be permit
ted to own One-was in another direc-
ton looking after his interests with
undated zeal, postponing his exposure
and consequently prolonging his in
timacy with the Randalls.
1t must be remembered that only
Tom Randall and his cousin Aaron
had met Colonel Moreau. and thus Kir-
bys 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 plant:l
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 ac-
companied Group to the plantation,
where he confidently expected to find
Judge Pleydell, who had preceded him
thither; but. learning Oh his arrival
that the latter had ridden over to his
Aaron Immediately follow
ed. 1t 80 happened. however. that
Judge Pleydell, completing his errand,
had returned to the Randalls and, TAX
ing short cut through a lane which
the two estates, unwilling
ly 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
while she swung her bonnet
by its strings Adele, smiling and flush
ing by turns, boldly introduced the
pseudo Moreau to her family's old
friend
Colonel Moreau. this Is indeed a
happy and propitious OCCASION" warm
~ responded the judge. while he shook
Kirby by the hand. And never in my
life have | seen so delightful and well
come an alteration as is apparent in
the health and spirits Of the young
Of this plantation. What is
the magic secret to account for SO
great a change since last evenings"
"Ah. it was the ride!" demurely sug-
,ested his daughter, glaucing from
Adele to Kirby. |
1.-THE rider echoed Nine. Davezac.
'Mais-non. 1t was that charming
Colonel Moreau. think he brings the
sunshine we have been waiting for so
ong"
While the others. with the exception
If the moody and Respondent NJ. Vcau-
Try, entered the house. Adele. offering
he excuse that she wished to see her
'oses again. sought flower basket aud
scissors aud. accompanied by the ill.,
lomitable Kirby, repaired to the gar
leu. Anatole watching them with
,roody. longing eyes.
Presently he became aware that an
,ther was as interested as himself.
md. turning. he found Group at his
elbow. The old serving man contin-
led for some time to silently scan
xirby's retreating figure. |
"Who you say were dat genaman's
lame. Marse Anatole?" he at length
inquired. I
Colonel MOreau." abstractedly re-
lied NJ. Veaudry. !
Eyes. sch. Yes. seh." acknowledged
,roup. Oats de name what he done
i've Yes. seh." But he was far from
atisfied and. still shaking his head
md mumbling to himself. returned in
loors. Certainly neither Kirby nor
servant and youthful
the remoteSt idea that,
fter separation Of so many years,
hey had finally met.