Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-08-22

rake care, captain branu.
Artemus looked into his companions
face as the other made this strange
and unexpected announcement.
Himself something of a practical
Joker, II was natural that the dramatic
student of human nature should be
deep-laid plot to bring down upon his
head the laugh that cuts so keenly.
But Charlie looked as grave as a
deacon. Had he been attending the
obsequles of the man who. was hung.
he could not have appeared more sol
emn.
Matters Of this character always pos
sessed for him peculiarly strong In
terest. and he was eager to CLEAN the
particulars.
well. II isn't given to most OF us
to see a man hung. and then meet him
afterward alive and well. Tell me
about II. Charlie. my boy"
There isn't great deal to narrate.
Al the time an Instruction In Chill
was causing the most intense excite
ment. and some very bloody battles
tohhhs s'ahttAbos
II CHANGED to be. as I said. In Val
paradise. One day found myself In n
crowd OF excited citizens and soldiers.
In the midst OF whom stood n prisoner
"A spy. caught red-handed. upon
whom they were about to execute sum
mary Judgment.
That was Captain Nathaniel.
"The word was given. and I heard
n roar from hve hundred threats MS
the wretch was jerked on his feet.
One moment | saw him MS he
dans!ed In space. hands and feet strik.
Ing out wildly spectacle shall new
er forget to my dying day.
There came n sudden shot. and
Hedge fell to the ground In a heap
some one had cut the rope with a we'll
aimed bullet.
Immediately the deuce of a row
broke out. but bless you. the affair
died away as speedily as II began, and
then. gradually. II dawncd upon the
minds OF the crowd that u great hoax
had been successfully carried out.
For when they looked for Hedge.
In order to complete their artistic lit
tie job. behold. the man who had al
ready been partially hung had disap-
pcarcd. nor were they able to discover
him. though Valparaiso was thorough
ly searched.
That In my little story. and I am
almost ready TO swear that our Can't.
Brand In yondcr IL the Identical
kcdge. grown n little gray In the SER
vice of beating the world. but Just
the sam. old sispcnec."
Artcmns nodded. aud they separated
for time.
But their meeting had not been I'M
observed.
The ubiquitous baron had his eye on
them. and possibly figured on, some
wonderful game A. connected with
his mysterious conversation.
Charlie went back TO Airline and
Capt Brand. and the three chaticd for
a while.
Then airline sraciousiy consented to
play several favoritc pieces. while
Charlie Idly glanced through a book
made up OF fugitive songs and music.
II was while doin. this he suddenly
came upon an opportunity to make
another test OF the mans Identity. So
Charlie handed the wcii-w book o.
music to the fair girl.
Play that for mean old favoritc-
always rcviscs pleasant rccoilcctions.'
Charlie was so situated that a side
glance into massive pier glass gave
him an excellent view of the man who
had arisen from the dead.
wha; Stuart had No accidentally. yet
fortunately. come across was the Chi
liam National Hymn. He watched the
effect upon Capt. Brand.
When the FIRST rather weird notes OF
this Spanish-American music throbbcd
upon the air. Brand sat bolt upright
upon the divan.
tnvoluntarily he seemed to gasp for
breath: his tongue partly pro,rudcd
froN his mouth. as though he were
being choked. while his hand crcpt up
to his throat and cldtched his loose
collar. a. II to tear 1t away.
Charlie cxulted in the sight. II con.
firmed his suspicious.
There was no longer the fain,cst
doubt remaining In his mind.
This was the man.
Finally they said goodnight.
Charlie managed to whisper n few
sentences in Arline's ear while the
captain waited at the door. so tina,
he was assured of seeing her again
on the morrow.
Capt. Brand led her away.
One smiling glance she sent back
over her plump shouldcr-gods! wha,