The Elbert County tribune., 1902-08-14

I
make this declaration with an interes
she did not attempt to conceal.
Many times that thought has CONF
to me. but dismissed It as unworthy
He brought several things my father
had with him when he went away. ane
he resembled the only picture had o
my father-that ls. In a general way
You could not expect very much after
his cruel years OF hardship In the
desert. Besides. he knew all about
our family matters. the quarrel with
mamma's people on account OF heI
marriage. and many little things con
nected with the past"
Il shall devote myself to the task
OF discovering the truth. Heaven alone
knows who he Is, or how he came Into
possession OF the facts he has used to
such advantage; but I intend to sat
isfy my curiosity in that respect, at
any cost"
Something tells me you will snc-
ceed." she said eagerly. so that Char
lie flushed with pleasure.
Thanks for your faith in me. 1t
will go a great way toward assisting
should find the means to expose him
as an imposter?"
SO long as | still believe him TO
be what he claims, | cannot find II In
my heart to turn against him. He has
told me SO many awful stories OF the
cruelties practiced upon them that
sometimes feel as though possibly his
mind had been little affected, and
that he could hardly be held account
able for his actions"
Charlie seized upon a slender cue.
quick as a flash to discover vulner-
able point.
"Ah!" he said. eagerly; you speak
OF their suffering among the Arabs,
Then he had a companion In exile,
imagine"
"oh, yes-three at first; but later on
there was only one left"
And the name-do you remember
Yes. 1t was his mate. Ben Hazen."
"Ahl that is substantial point
from which to work Our friend, IL an
imposter. may be very cunning: but
doubt II he has been able to cover
his tracks so that we may not learn
something OF Ben Hazens past: Ship
ping books and shipping masters may
tell the story of Identification II all
else fails. By the way. what does he
say became OF Ben Hazen?"
He was shot while defending a
wretched woman slave against her in
human master. and died of his
wounds"
We'll. the incident may be true
enough; but the chances are that II
was your own father who gave up his
life in this chivalrous fashion, and
that what papers he had hidden on
his person he conflded to his fellow
prisoner in the hope that at some day
he might escape and carry the news to
those he loved in old England"
Airline heard him with both wonder
and delight.
Her confidence had apparently gone
out to him in the start. and now she
felt 1t growing he was so earnest, so
positive that his logic seemed to have
the faculty of convincing others.
There is one thing l meant to ask:
you gave me the wrong card by a
singular accident. but at the same time
intimated that you were known by an
other name than Airline Brand at the
hotel"
Yes; should have explained.
When my aunt adopted me assumed
her name of Wallis; and as her title
was hereditary. and could descend to
the next of kin after her demise. be-
came Lady Airline Wallis. AS such l
have been sometimes known"
Charlie cringed somehow. at this.
1t seemed to raise wall between
them-wealth and title. What few or
dinary young Englishmen dare aspire
to win bride from behind such ram
parts?
Never before had Charlie Stuart
wished for fame and fortune as now
nothing could be too grand TO lay at
the feet of such royal princess.
And while he was thus battling with
his thoughts, she suddenly caught his
arm.
HE is out yonderi heard his
Taught Now. come to the door Mr..
Stuart. and take your first look at
Captain Brand of the Hespasia, be-
fore you meet him face to face
Nothing 10th Charlie followed her
to the door. whence they could lool,
into the office of the hotel.
Several men were in sight; but al.
most instinctively his gaze settled
upon one who seemed to command
general attention; and no sooner had
Charlie clapped his eyes on this re-
markable individual than he uttered
little ejaculation of surprise and
pleasure.
Possibly he had seen this same 10.
quacious Captain Brand OF the Hespa-
sia under other and more exciting cir
cumstances.
.Tell me-" he said quietly, to the
girl who was hovering over his shoul.