Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-07-05

face as the other made this strange
and unexpected announcement
Himself something of a practical
Joker, it was natural that the dramatic
student of human nature should be
suspicious lest he fall a victim to some
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
obsequies of the man who was hung,
he could not have appeared more SOL
emn.
Matters of this character always pos
sessed for him a peculiarly strong in
terest, and he was eager to CLEAN the
particulars.
We'll, it isn't given to most of us
to see man hung, and then meet him
afterward alive and well. Tell me
about it, Charlie, my boy"
There isn't a great deal to narrate.
At the time an insurrection in Chilli
was causing the most intense excite
ment, and some very bloody battles
were fought about Santiago.
Il chanced to be, as l said, in Val
paraiso. One day l found myself in a
crowd of excited citizens and soldiers.
in the midst of whom stood 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 heard
a roar from five hundred throats as
the wretch was jerked off his feet.
"One moment l saw him as he
dangled in space, hands and feet strik-
ing out wildly-a spectacle shall new
er forget to my dying day.
There came a 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 it began, and
then, gradually, it dawned upon the
had been successfully carried out.
For when they looked for Kedge,
in order to complete their artistic lit
tie job, behold! the man who had al
ready been partially hung had disap-
peared, nor were they able to discover
him, though Valparaiso was thorough
ly searched.
THAT is my little story, and l am
almost ready to swear that our Capt.
Brand in yonder is the identical
Kedge, grown little gray in the SER
vice of beating the world, but Just
the same old sixpence."
Artemus nodded, and they separated
for time.
\, But their meeting had not been un-
observed.
The ubiquitous baron had his eye on
them, and possibly figured out some
wonderful game as connected with
his mysterious conversation.
Charlie went back to Airline and
Capt. Brand, and the three chatted for
a while.
Then Airline graciously consented to
play several favorite pieces, while
Charlie idly glanced through a book
made up of fugitive songs and music.
1t was while doing this he suddenly
came upon an opportunity to make
another test of the mans identity. So
ud4uCu Tic Wcli-MOIn DOOh VI
music to the fair girl.
PLAY that for mean old favorite-
always revives pleasant recollections."
Charlie was SO situated that side
glance into massive pier glass gave
him an excellent view of the man who
had arisen from the dead.
What Stuart had SO 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 throbbed
upon the air, Brand sat bolt upright
upon the divan.
Involuntarily he seemed to gasp for
breath; his tongue partly protruded
from his mouth, as though he were
being choked, while his hand crept up
to his throat and clutched his loose
collar, as if to tear it away.
Charlie exulted in the sight. 1t con-
firmed his suspicious.
There was no longer the faintest
doubt remaining in his mind.
This was the man!
Finally they said goodnight.
Charlie managed to whisper few
sentences in Arline's ear while the
captain waited at the door, SO that
he was assured of seeing her again
on fha morrow