Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-07-31

! - ~ SA~LAS VI Sps tlsEss
Charlie had perfected what few ar.
rangemeEts remained. They would all
so direct to the old Windsor, and there
await the coming Of Aleck when an
| interview between him and Airline
must result in happiness all around.
1t seemed simple enough, yet none
of them for an instant suspected what
tremendous things awaited them in
this magnificent capital of the New
World, or the forces which might yet
be arrayed against them through the
energy and scheming of the man who
would not accept defeat.
Here, then. the last dramatic scene
was to be placed. Here Charlie was
to win his bride or lose her forever
in this city of restless energy, of won
derful buildings and unequaled magni-
ficence. Charlie and his enemy would
come face to face for the last time.
Heaven be on the side of the right
and strengthen the arm of this war
riOr bold who dared all in defense of
what was innocent and true.
Capt. Brand had almost reached the
end of his rope, and would doubtless
husband the remainder of his re-
sources tor one last desperate, mas
terful stroke by which he would win
or lose al.
AS usual, there was the customs
trial to be passed through. but when
the gartlCt had been successfully run
they were free.
The great and wonderful city
stretched before them.
To Airline it was all new, and the
sights that were strange to her eyes
she found to be numerous, from the
lofty buildings to the electric cars that
dashed along at an apparently reckless
speed.
Capt. Brand accepted everything
philosophically
He had seen the world; his check
cred career had embraced every
cline, and the startling events that
had fallen to his share would have laid
the foundation for very fair second
edition of Munchausen or the Arabian
Nights.
Airline was deeply concerned about
hayward Aleck, whom she had not
seen in so long time.
His whole future was at stake.
If she missed him now, all might be
lost.
Yes, this had been wearing upon her
mind so long now that it affected her
nerves. There may have been some
in YYybi nf.
pected-a premonition of the startling
events destined to take place in their
experience; for some minds seem
gifted with an almost supernatural
power to anticipate coming changes.
even as the mercury in the ba-
rometer's tube indicates a change in
the weather hours before it occurs.
Taking a carriage, they were all
speedily located at the reliable old
Windsor.
Upon inquiry Charlie learned that
some one had called for him only the
day before, and he was constrained to
believe it must be the young fellow
who had been his companion in the
Antwerp Jail. and whose escape had
rlvaled that of Monte Cristo.
This was good news.
He had left word he would call
again, so that all they had to do was
to leave a message for him at the
desk, and await developments.
Airline was not recovered from the
effect of the voyage; at least, she was
in no humor for sightseeing until this
ong-anticipated interview with her
half-brCther were over.
SO she kept her room much of the
time.
When the so-caIled Capt. Brand set
foot again in New York, he faced new
dangers.
There were those upon the Rialto,
actors of greater or lesser degree who
must have had dealings with Freder.
lex Davenport Macauley during the
palmy days of yore, when he played
his little part in the drama, and man
fully plod his way, footsore and weary,
over the railway ties back to New
York after an unsuccessful tour of the
provinces.
Some of these worthless could be de-
pended on to recognize their old com
rade Of those halcyon days, despite the
radical change prosperity might have
made in his personal appearance and
bearing.
Thus evening found them.
Charlie had the pleasure of dining
with Lady Airline.
He exerted himself to cheer her up.
Several times she seemed to tenn
porarily throw off the strange stupor
that had settled upon her spirits, and
for a short period appeared to be her
old self, when, by degrees, the melan-
choly crept back again.
Tomorrow" said Charlie, when she
was leaving him to go to her rooms,
Il hope we will have Aleck here with
US, and then all must be well. You
can dismiss doubts and fears, to be
happy once more"
You will forgive my foolish fancies.
You are always so cheerful and kind.
she murmured, while he was holding
and ardently squeezing her hand, per-
haps quite uncOnsciously.
Until tomorrow, then"
Shall | see you at breakfast" he
asked, eagerly.
IF am feeling quite will; surely at
dinner"
He was forced to be content.
So he watched her, his soul in his
eyes, as she walked to the elevator.
Was there ever a more Queenly girl
than Lady Airline; one with a greater
share of beauty concentrated in face,
figure and mind?
Ere the elevator car shot toward the
upper realms she waved her hand to
him and gave him a ravishing smile.