The Elbert County tribune., 1902-09-04

speedily find himself in hot water.
The conversation took several
turns.
Indeed Charlie found the baron so
congenial that he was easily led into
relating many "reminiscences connect
ed with his past, so that, eventually,
Peterhoff had pretty good knowl'
edge OF the young mans character.
At last they separated.
you can depend on me. At the
same time keep your wits about you
when dealing with this Brand Some
thing will presently drop" said the
baron.
When Charlie drew near the hotel,
after visiting his own room and i'm
proving his appearance to some ex-
tent, he was conscious of nervous
| condition of mind such as was entirely
| new to him.
| And he was obliged to confess that
It had gone pretty far when the pros
pect OF an interview with young wo-
man could have such an influence
upon him.
The next thing on the program was
to find a chance for quiet talk.
where the captain could not intrude.
So he asked again for Lady Airline.
and she presently came down to the
same bijou parlor, rosy and smiling
Charlie had heard the voice of Capt.
Brand somewhere about the hotel,
and he was more or less concerned
lest that worthy come in upon them
ere he could make his arrangements.
Hence he speedily opened the sub
| ject
Il have much of Importance to tell
you. and we must be where Capt
Brand may not intrude. Suppose
get nice vehicle with a quiet animal
and we can go to take a look at the
suburbs of Antwerp"
Airline did not hesitate.
She knew that she could trust this
frank-faced gentleman with her very
life IL need be.
So she quickly agreed 20 his plan.
'In fifteen minutes. then; and be
sure you wrap up WELL" said Charlie,
hastening away to secure just the out
fit that would suit his idea as to the
right thing.
True to his promise. he was back in
good time.
Near the parlor Charlie ran across
Brand, who greeted him rather effu-
siyely, he thought and would have
detained him. only that the young
man refused to be held up. and laugh
ingly pleaded an engagement with
Lady Airline. and the impatience of his
noble charger outside.
Thus 1t came about that, after run
ming the gauntlet In this way, Charlie
was at length given the proud pleas
ure of driving away with the fair girl.
Charlie knew 1t was only proper for
him to open the ball with an account
of the strange things that had befallen
him since last he said good night.
One thing he intended keeping to
himself for the present. and this was
the name of the young fellow who
geon. At least there was no necessity
of bringing it forward until he had
heard what she wished to tell him,
and discovered If his suspicious were
confirmed.
Nov that there is no longer a
chance of our being overheard, I'm
going to make an awful confession to
you. Lady Airline" he said.
She turned startled face toward
him, and. Immediately seeing the
quizzical smile. felt relieved.
81 shall fortify myself to hear it.
Pray proceed"
Where do you think | passed the
night?"
She believed she could account for
a fair portion of 1t, but confessed her
ignorance as to the remainder.
"In the lookup" he said calmly.
| do you mean the jail?" breathless-
ly.
"Yes. Please don't draw away from
me, or imagine | was engaged in any
street brawl 1t all came to me be-
cause I chanced to make your ac.
| luaintance yesterday morning"
why, Mr.. Stuart"
| because. forsooth. you chance to
have a carriage like queen; and be.
sides, possess the most charming of
golden hair and blue eyes"
She blushed crimson and still sur.
veyed him with puzzled as well as
startled eyes.
81 confess do not understand you
at all. You will have to explain fur.
ther."
Pardon me. When l assisted you
into the carriage at the Steen | was
observed by Baron Peterhoff. He be
lieved you were the Countess Isolde
Brabant. because in several ways tt
a little distance one might be de
ceived. My interest in the baron's
plans induced me to loiter about the
otel last night when he was making
his wholesale arrests. and by accident
they caught me in the dragnet."
Then she-that wonderful woman
has been arrested?"