Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-06-26

i
| now as later. | am ready"
SO they went out.
The ex-sailor quickly sighted them
| and "bore down with all sails Set" as
he would have nautically expressed it.
Charlie played his part well.
He met the captain in a blum,
friendly manner, just as young man
might wish to receive the father of a
lovely girl he admired
| Plainly Captain Brand found no es-
| pecial reason for alarm.
He set out to be even more jovial
| and debonair than usual. with the idea
| Of creating good impression on
his daughters old friend, whom he
wished to study at close range.
| When he set out to entertain. Cap
tain Brand Of the Hespasia was a
bowling success, relating the most as
tonishing incidents connected with his
long captivity in the desert, his perils
on the sea, and the deep fountain of
love for wife and child that had sus-
tanned him through all his trials.
Charlie was no mean actor himself,
thanks to the splendid control which
he was able to exercise over his facial
muscles.
Although he now had not the least
doubt as to the fellow being a fraud
OF the first water, Charlie felt that he
owed 1t to Arline's respect for filial af-
lection to prove this fact.
This was the task he cut out for
| himself.
He laid his little trap.
Captain Brand was so much engag-
ed with his flow of oratory and the
charming of this friend Of the family
| dug.
Thus, almost without an effort.
Charlie had him admit that he knew
considerable about Valparaiso, in
Chilli, and had been there. in the
course of his wanderings, many years
| ago.
In Charles mind this settled the
matter. He was confident he knew
with whom he had to deal, and when
the time came he would be ready IT,
dare all in defying the adventurer.
While they sat thus. speaking of
the sights of Antwerp, there came a
messenger from the hotel Office inquir-
ing for Mr.. Charlie Stuart, whom a
gentleman outside desired to see.
AS he went directed by the clerk,
to the spot where he would find the
| gentleman who had asked for an I'M
mediate interview on serious business.
he was making up his mind to tell
Peterhoff the whole story and enlist
his favorable consideration for Airline,
so that when the denoument came the
doughty captain could be taken care
| of.
Judge of his surprise. then, when,
upon coming upon the party who
wished to see him, he found it was no
other than Artemus Barnaby. with his
honest face clouded with an air of the
darkest mystery.
1t did not require much prophetic
skin on Charles part to tell that his
erratic friend had news of some i'm
portance for him.
He pressed a forefinger on his lips
to Indicate dead silence, when he found
that Charlie had recognized him.
Charlie stood there waiting while
the other crept on his tiptoes to the
corner, in the regular orthodox stage
fashion. and looked this way and that,
| to assure himself that there could be
no eavesdroppers near.
Then he approached his friend, his
4 t,,er otiI L.,
Reaching the other, he placed his
lips close to Charles ear, and solemn
| ly said:
THE coast is clear!"
II see it is,' said Charlie, aloud.
What l am about to disclose to
you. will give you a cruel shock, my
boy"
Shock away then, only make
| haste"
Il am about to make a disclosure
that will, ! regret to say. knock away
the foundations of your belief in hui
mainly"
"Ah! that's a serious thing indeed
at large or one individual specimen OF
mankindY'
"One shining light"
Then fire away. and be hanged to
you"
Artemus assumed look of extreme
gravity, although Charlie was sure he
heard a chuckle.
you have met the father of the
young lady OF the Steen dungeons The
hotel clerk has been entertaining me
with a wonderful story of his return to
life and civilization. 1t reads like a
niche in my notebook, only. my dear
boy. 1t is so very ancient, veritable
stage chestnut, as it were.
| but let that pass. imagine this
Captain Brand is a character worth
knowing. something unique. | could
hear him out yonder. and the dulcet
| tones of his voice were soothing
enough to conjure with"
Yes" remarked Charlie, "he is a
wonderful man. and could charm most
people by the quaint manner OF his
| speech"
Artemus again bent forward.
Beware OF Captain Brandt" he
whispered, and then sprang back to
note the stunning effect of his an
nouncement.
But Charlie, though interested. re-
| fused to be stunned.
| Why. what has he done?"
He is a bold, bad mani"
Charlie was inclined to say "Amen."
to that, but he kept his own counsel
as yet, seeking more light
See here! You have known this
wonderful modern Baron Munchausen
at some mast date?" he said