The Elbert County tribune., 1902-08-07

tribe OF the Great Sahara. so that he
finally drifted to Dahomey where.
through the assistance of the faithful
woman he had been forced to marry.
full escape, though his companion gave
up her life In throwing herself in
front Of spear that was meant for
him.
Airline accepted II all as gospel truth.
and would have at the time believed
even a much more miraculous series OF
adventures could such have been by
any means invented by this modern
Munchausen.
This was before she knew Captain
Brand SO well.
She spent money with a liberal hand.
He was enabled to indulge his love
for fine clothes TO its full bent He
smoked the finest cigars. drank the
most expensive liquors. and she feared
he frequently indulged in gaming.
Thus year went by.
Captain Brand had ceased to beg for
money. He demanded 1t as his right.
and In sums SO large that Airline was
growing alarmed.
He had tried to influence her 70
make her will leaving all her wealth
to him: something might happen to
her, though Heaven forbid, and she
would not like to think OF the great
property going to strangers while her
poor papa was left unprovided for.
Airline refused to do as he requested
something within warning her against
It.
Some time after the dreadful sus-
picion had flashed into her brain that
Captain Brand was having a will
forged to suit his ideas governing the
case. "
Even then she had not realized what
this might portend. How should an
innocent trusting young girl desirous
of bestowing all reasonable benefits
upon the man she had come to believe
was her father-how should she sus-
pect that this ungrateful man could
conspire with unprincipied confeder-
ates to actually take her life. yet by
sucn means as would make 1t seem
cruel accident?
While in Antwerp he had professed a
keen desire to visit the dungeons OF the
Steen. and yet always made IL appear
as though she were the one most
interested in the abode of ghostly
memories.
An expedition was accordingly
planned.
Airline never could tell just how 1t
came about. She remembered Captain
Brands enthusiasm in leading her
deeper into the recesses. and how he
suddenly disappeared while she was
examining some object of interest;
now she waited for him to reappear.
until, growing alarmed by the dimin-
isbing size of her candle. she had en-
deavored to find her way back to the
party; how she tripped and fell. losing
her light. Then she cried out in terror
as the awful darkness closed around
her, but no answer came.
Then she realized that the others had
gone, that this cruel-hearted man she
called father. had deserted her. pre-
tending to believe, no doubt. that she
had gone above with portion of the
party upon whom the horrors Of the
dungeon soon palled.
He could also take 1t for granted
she had gone away with her new-found
trierds, and not show any alarm for
hours.
1t was cleverly concocted and dia-
bolical scheme. which had for its ulu-
mate outcome the dethronement Of
her reason.
Doubtless Captain Brand had ar
ranged 1t SO that in such a case he
would be appointed the natural pro-
tector and guardian of his afflicted
child. and thus. OF course, have the
handling of her fortune.
Charlie was aghast.
He had never heard so terrible a
thing in all his life. He almost
doubted his senses.
II have made up my mind regarding
one thing, Miss Brand" he said. posi-
lively. (which is to the effect that
do not believe this man to be your
fatherl"
Ito Be Continued)