Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-08-30

old wagon yard some ten feet or more
beyond the outer walls. But suppose
we might as well 60"
Then good-by, my dear fellow"
"But-you will share my escape. We
don't separate yet. you Know
I'm not going"
MOT going? You prefer to remain in
this accursed hole, when freedom Of
fers? Come, you are joking. sir"
"Oh, no. You see If l crawled out of
here would, by implication, admit my
connection with those whom Baron
Peterhoff has hauled in. Being inno-
cent, | shall sit here until he comes
to beg my pardon and personally con-
duct me to freedom"
The youngster looked at him with
kindling eyes.
Bravo! l like your spirit" he said.
Would you mind shaking hands with
me. sir?"
1T will be a pleasure on my part.
And they exchanged a warm grip.
Il hope we may meet again. Let me
give you my card. Who knows. what
strange chance may drift us together
again. Who can say under what condi-
tions we may come together again?"
Who indeed?
Both of them would have been
chilled with horror could they have
even guessed the truth, but the veil
of the future mercifully hid that from
mortal ken.
Another hearty Anglo-Saxon hand
shake, then the youngster dropped
into the hole.
Charlie made as comfortable a seat
as was possible from some of the old
planks and kept the fire going with
fragments.
around again to his late companion.
Then he remembered that as yet he
did not even know the others true
name.
Where was the card? All, just where
he had thrust it, and, bending down.
he read the name by the fiickering
light of his fire.
Then it dawned upon him why he
had felt such singular interest in
the young fellow. and why he had
deemed his features familiar, yet
could not grasp the tangible substance
for the name, written boldly, was.
ALEXANDER BRAND.
Here then was the most remarkable
coincidence in the whole course of his
varied experiences.
There could be no mistake.
This young fellow bore some rela-
tionship-that of brother or cousin,
perhaps-to Airline.
He had her name, and there was
a strong family resemblance in their
faces.
There must be a sense of awe in
the realization that one is a mere pup
pet in the hands of destiny-that the
power which sends unnumbered
worlds whirling through space in their
exact orbits, without danger of col
lision, or of the slightest change in
their course, can condescend to super
intend such a small thing as the well
fare of one puny human life.
Charlie pondered upon the matter
long time.
Then, before he knew it, he fell
asleep, despite his hard seat and his
determination to remain on guard.
When he awoke he was stiff and
sore.
A light cleaned in his eyes-it was
the warder making the rounds with
bread and water
When the grunf man held up the
light in order to view the confines of
of the dungeon, and beheld only
Charlie seated there and blinking like
an owl, he was much amazed
He demanded to know where the
other prisoner had hidden himself
Charlie calmly pointed to the hole
still uncovered by the slab of stone.
"Oh! he's gone out for walk he
said, coolly.
The man began to grasp the situa
ton, and when he could move, he
sprang to the door of the dungeon to
bawl for assistance.
Several other wardens came
tumbling into the cell.
Then ensued a great powwow of
Dutch phrases, while Charlie yawned
and stretched himself.
Then came the commandant
How did this happen?" he de-
manded.
well, you see, he had an appoint
ment, and did not wish to break his
engagement"
But you, mein herr; how is it you