Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-09-27

You bet 1t is.
"And you are In dead earnest?"
Never more so in all my life
cross my heart if it isn't So"
Then Charlie realized that he could
believe him.
Tell me-" he said, eagerly, were
you incredulous at first?"
Rather"
And how did you set about prov
ing matters?"
look up this new claimant for the
honors."
"You did it?''
'I had to. You see, couldn't rid
myself of the idea that it might after
all be Macauley, our ogre, spinning
his spider web.'
THAT would have struck me the
first thing"
well, with me it was somewhat
different, for the case stood out so
clearly. You see, he came to the
agency in company with the captain
of the English steamer that picked
him up in small boat off
the coast of Africa-he having at
last escaped from the Arabs who held
him prisoner so many years.
This steamer was bound from
Cape Town to New York, and had
been thrown out of her regular course
by a series of terrible southern
storms.
They wanted to put him aboard
some vessel bound for London; but,
strange to say. spoke none during
their subsequent voyage, so that he
has been landed here"
Most remarkable. What a sur
prise for Arlinel l truly hope this
papa will prove more acceptable than
the ogre has been," said Stuart, re-
fiectively.
81 think he WILL" remarked Arte-
mus, calmly.
What grounds have you for believ-
ing so?"
THE evidence of my Judgment as
brought to bear upon the matter by
eyes and ears that are at least equal
to the average"
Then you have seen him?"
ooh, ay."
And talked with him?"
Spent three hours in his company
and he was very 10th to have me
break away, then"
Really, that should settle it.
In three hours Artemus could learn
scores of things that would go to
prove matters were as the new claim
ant declared.
And the captain-what of him? Is
he anything like-well, our ogre?"
mot a. whit in manner, and very
little in appearance. These long years
on the desert have darkened his skin
and whitened his hair, but they could
not destroy his noble nature. 1t shows
in the determined and kindly glow of
his eyes, in the almost heavenly
smile, and warm clasp of the hand''
HIN! Well, l hope he'll be friend
ly," said Charlie.
"Oh, he's wild to see you-to thank
you for all that has been done Don't
worry bit about that part of tive
fixed matters" Significantly.
Charlie blushed a little.
Hope you haven't overdone it and
made me out heroic sort of figure.
By the way, what did he think of the
other?"
you mean-the ogre?"
Yes, Capt. Brand Number One we
may say"
well, l wouldn't care TO stand in
his boots when those two meet.
There's going to be war to the knife,
can tell you
"Just as 1 thought"
"All these years he has lived on
the hope of seeing his dear ones
again, and to find an usurper in his
place makes him furious"
Gould he cope with the rascal?"
His wild life among the Arabs has
hardened his constitution like iron.
Besides. he isn't an old man, although
his hair is white. God help the ogre
if once he falls into the avengers
| hands"
Then we must see that this hap
pens as soon as possible. There is
need of haste. Such a romantic story
as the captivity and escape of Capt.
Brand can't long be hidden under a
bushel. Some enterprising reporter
will get hold of lit. and the affair can
be spread out over a whole page of
yellow journal"
Correct. And for that reason
thought you had better see my cap
tain at once, so l took the liberty of