Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-08-16


make this declaration with an interest
she did not attempt to conceal.
Many times that thought has come
to me, but l dismissed it as unworthy.
He brought several things my father
had with him when he went away, and
he resembled the only picture had OF
my father-that is, in a general way
You could not expect very much after
his cruel years of hardship in the
desert. Besides. he knew all about
our family matters. the quarrel with
mamma's people on account of her
marriage, and many little things con-
nected with the past
81 shall devote myself to the task
of discovering the truth. Heaven alone
knows who he is, or how he came into
possession of the fac he has used to
such advantage; but l intend to sat
isfy my curiosity in that respect, at
any cost"
Something tells me you will sue
ceed, she said eagerly, so that Char
lie flushed with pleasure.
Thanks for your faith in me. 1t
will go great way toward assisting
me. OF course. you would be gratified
should l find the means to expose him
as an imposter?"
so long as l still believe him to
be what he claims, cannot find it in
my heart to turn against him. He has
told me so many awful stories of the
cruelties practiced upon them that l
sometimes feel as though possibly his
mind had been a little affected, and
that he could hardly be held account
able for his actions" .
Charlie seized upon a slender cue,
quick as a flash to discover a vulner-
able point
"Ah!" he said. eagerly; you speak
of their suffering among the Arabs,
Then he had a companion in exile,
imagine"
"oh, yes-three at first; but later on
there was only one left"
And the name-do you remember
Yes. 1t was his mate, Ben Hazen."
"Ah! that is a 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 Hazen'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 Hazen?"
He was shot while defending a
Swretched woman slave against her in
human master, and died of his
wounds"
We'll, the Incident may be true
enough; but the chances are that 1t
was your own father who gave up his
life in this chivalrous fashion, and
that what papers he had hidden on
his person he confided to his fellow
prisoner in the hope that at some day
he might escape and carry the news to
those he loved in old England"
Airline heard him with both wonder
and delight
Her confidence had apparently gone
out to him in the start and now she
felt it growing he was so earnest. so
positive that his logic seemed to have
the faculty of convincing others.
There is one thing I meant to ask:
you gave me the wrong card by a
singular accident, but at the same time
intimated that you were known by an
other name than Airline Brand at the
hotel"
Yes: l should have explained.
When my aunt adopted me l assumed
her name of Wallis; and as her title
was hereditary, and could descend to
the next of kin after her demise, l 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 aspire
to win bride from behind such ram
parts?
Never before had Charlie Stuart
wished for fame and fortune as now;
nothing could be too grand to lay at
The feet of such royal princess.
And while he was thus battling with
his thoughts, she suddenly caught his
arm.
"He is out yonder, heard his
laughl Now. come to the door, Mr.
Stuart, and take your first look at
Captain Brand of the Hespasia, be-
lore you meet him face to face"
Nothing 10th Charlie followed her
10 the door, whence they could look
into the Office of the hotel
Several men were in sight; but al