The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1902-05-16

tribe of the Great Sahara, so that be
finally drifted to Dahomey where
through the assistance of the faithful
woman he had been forced to marry
he eventually made a bold and Guccess-
full escape, though his companion gave
uS her life in throwing herself In
froht Of d spear that was meant for
him.
Airline accepted it 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 it's full bent. He
smoked the finest cigars, drank the
most expensive liquors. and she feared
he frequently INDUCED in gaming.
Thus a year went by.
Captain Brand had ceased to beg for
money. He demanded it as his right,
and in sums so large that Airline was
growing alarmed.
He had tried to influence her to
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 bestowiug all reasonable benefits
upon the man she had come to believe
was her ~father-how should she sus-
pect that this %ungrateful man could
SOiSDllt Will uupl l1SlpISu SchiSNSi
ates to actually take her life, yet by
sucn means as would make it seem a
cruel accident?
While in Antwerp he had professed a
keen desire to visit the dungeons of the
Steen, and yet always made it 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 it
came about. She remembered Captain
Brands enthusiasm in leading her
deeper into the recesses, and how he
suddenly disappeared while she was
some object Of interest;
now she waited for him to reappear,
until, growing alarmed by the dfmin-
ishing 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 nc answer came.
Then she realized thai the OCherS a
gone; that this ~cruel-hearted mar she
called father, had deserted her, pre-
to believe, M doubt. that she
had gone above with a portion of the
party upon whom the horrors Of the
dungeon soon Dalled.
He could also take it for granted
she had gone away with her new-found
and not show any alarm for
hours.
1t was a cleverly concocted and dia-
scheme, which had for its ulti-
mate outcome the dethronement of
her reason.
Doubtless Captain Brand had ar
'aneed it so that in such a case he
would be appointed the natural pro-
and guardian Of his afflicted
hid, and thus, Of course, have the
handling of her fortune.
Charlie was aghast.
He had never heard so terrible a
hing in all his life. He almost
his senses.
81 have made up my mind regarding
me thing, Miss Brand" he said, posi-
lively, (which is to the effect that 1
10 not believe this man to be your
ather!"
(To Be Continued.)