The Red Cloud chief., 1902-05-23
o0pyrish, 1901. Stree, and smith, New York.
CUNpTER VI.

Wdhp nus declaration with an Interest
she did not attempt to- conceal.
Many times that thought has come
to me, but | dismissed II as unworthy.
He brought several things my father
had with him when he went away, and
he rescmblcd the only picture | had OF
my father that is. in IA general way.
You could Nj expect very much after
his cruel years of hardship in the
desert. Besides, he knew all about
our family matters. the quarrel with
mammals people ON account of her
marriage. and many little things ron
nected with the past"
Il shall devote myself to- the task
OF discovering the truth. Heaven alone
knows who he is, or how he came into
possession of the facts he has used to
such advantage; but | intend To sat.
isfy my curiosity in that respect, at
any cost"
Something tells me you will sue
coed" she said eagerly. SO that Char
lie flushed with pleasure.
Thanks for your faith in me. II
will go a great way toward assisting
me. or course, you would be gratified
should | find the means to expose him
as an imposter?"
so long as still believe him to
lie what he claims. | cannot find ii in
my heart to turn against him. lie has
told me SO many awful stories of the
cruelties practiccd upon them that |
sometimes feel rs though possibly his
mind had beer a little affected. and
that he could hardly he held account
able for his actions
Charlie seized upon a slender cue,
quick as a flash to discover "a vulner-
able point.
All" he said, eagerly: you speak
OF their suffering among the Arabs,
Then he had IA companion in exile, |
imagine"
"Oh, ycs-thrcc at first. but later on
there was only one left"
"And the name-do you remember
yes. 1t was his mate, Ben iiascn."
An! that is Il substantial point
from which to work. Our friend. if an
%imposter, may be very cunning. but
! doubt If he has been able to cover
his tracks so that we may not learn
something of Ben Hazcn's past: Ship
ping books and shipping masters may
tell the story OF Identification if all
else fails. BY the way, what does he
say became of Ben IIazen?"
He was shot while defending n
wretched woman slave against her in
human master. and died of his
wounds"
well, the incident may be true
enough; but the chances are that IL
life in this chivalrous fashion, and
that what papers he had hidden on
his person he cOnided to his fellow
prisoner in the hope hat at some day
he might escape and carry the news t.
those he loved in old England
Airline heard him with both wonder
and delight.
Her confidence had apparently gon,
out to him in the start, and now she
felt 1t growing he was so earnest, sc
positive that his logic seemed to have
the faculty OF convincing others.
There Is one thing ! meant to ask
you gave me the wrong card by {
singular accident. but at the same tim,
intimated that you were known by an
other name than Airline Brand at tn,
hotel"
Yes; ! should have explained
When my aunt adopted me assumed
her name Of Wallis; and az her it'll
was hereditary, and could descend t,
the next Of kin after her demise, | be
came Lady Airline Wallis. AS such
have been sometimes known"
Charlie cringed somehow, at this.
1t seemed to raise a wall between
them-wealth and title. What few or
binary young Englishmen dare aspir
to win a bride from behind such ram
parts?
Never before had Charlie Stuar
wished for fame and fortune as now
nothing could be too grand to lay a
the feet OF such a royal princess.
And while he was thus battling wit
his thoughts, she suddenly caught hi
arm.
"He Is out yonder, | heard hi
laugh! Now. come to the door, Nj
Stuart, and take your first look q
Captain Brand OF the Hespasia, be
fore you meet him face to face"
Nothing 10th Charlie followed he
to the door, whence they could loo
into the Office OF the hotel.
Several men were in sight; but a
most instinctively his gaze settle
upon n who seemed to comman
general attention; and no sooner Ia
Charlie clapped his eyes on this r.
markable individual than he uttere
a little ejaculation of surprise an
pleasure.
Possibly he had seen this same X
Qu~acious Captain Brand OF the Hespa
sia under other and more exciting Gil
c~umstances.
TELL me- he said quietly, to III
girl who was lowering v his shou
der. "have you given him any particl
lars az To how you CHANGED to escal
from the Steen dungeons?"