The Red Cloud chief., 1902-07-11

''h''' hi"hV up HIS mluu tIdN Nv
time had come for a plain under.
standing with this young fellow who
Courted Airline.
Tie had fortified himself for the in.
terview With various p%otations calcu-
lated, according to his way of think.
ing. to put courage into a a
So he had kept watch, waiting for
Stuart to appear.
And doubtless his particular thirst
needed attention at frequent inter.
walls.
Charlie saw at a glance the man
was hardly himself, as usual. when
the liquor was i'm the wit went out.
He might have preferred avoiding
the interview If given his choice. since
no good could come of IL save to
let this man understand they were
deadly foes: but Brand intercepted
him. and appeared to be decidedly in
earnest.
Charlie knew no reason why he
should run away. He believed he
could give the fellow as good as he
sent, a Roland for an Oliver, and per.
haps find a chance to pick up some
information.
II occurred to Charlie at that mo-.
ment how much Of truth there might
be in the old saying to the effect that
whom the gods would destroy they
first make mad"
Capt. Brand exhibited a fair sam.
pie of it; he was not only mad, but
slightly inebriated; not enough to in.
terfcrc with his utteranCo, hut to
muddlc his wits a bit, and render him
incautious.
OF a truth. whisky has ere this.
played the deuce with the most won.
derful plans that were ever conceived
in the minds of men.
Charlie could not refuse the horny
palm offered To him. II had served
its owner many a good turn. and also
brought him into much trouble.
Il want to see you, Stuart-very
important-couldn't wait till morning.
Come this way, If you please. Know
it's late, but won't detain you long.
Must get II Of my mind"
So Charlie, obliging always, went
with him.
Brand had his eye on a couple of
chairs in a corner where they would
be isolated.
What he had to say was of a pri.
vate nature, and admitted of no
eavesdropper, nor would it have been
safe for any curious person TO have
loitered zeal while he was in this
chaotic condition of mind.
Prudence does o ally itself with
the indulgence in strong drink.
All" said the other. dropping into
a seat, with the air of a weary man,
fairly well loaded. this is something
like comfort. Stuart. I've learned, In
my long and wearisome exile, the
value of taking 1t easy while you
may. Trouble flies fast enough as 1t
Is. BY the way. excuse me, but
quite neglected to ask you to join
me in having something"
Thanks. | should have declined
anyway"
Then no harm done. Now. of
course. you wonder what I've button.
holed you for"
Naturally So"
Cant you guess"
TOO tired to make the effort 70.
night; besides, I'm not good at
conundrums."
"Ha! ha, this is a conundrum sure
enough consider all girls puzzles"
Then it is about-h'm-your
daughter"
About sweet Airline, sure enough.
As a fond parent | am, OF course,
solicitous concerning her future. and
especially since she will in due time
wish to give up the obedience she has
so willingly shown toward my author.
ity, and assume the sacred relation
OF wife toward some bright young
man. That solicitude. my dear Stuart,
brings me to a critical moment in
my career-brings me in contact with
YOU"
Charlie pretended to be dense; he
even assumed surprise and ~perplex.
ity.
How can your future concern me.
Capt. Brandt" he asked.
"Ah. you are disposed to be humor.
Gus, my lad. Or perhaps you wish
to conceal your confusion under a
brave exterior. Very good; every
man to his taste, and ! am ready to
NEE. you fairly. Now let us reach an
understanding"
Il am quite agreeable" cheerfully.
The returned exile rubbed his
hands together, M new hope forced
a smile upon his face.
II will say this, Stuart, that Of all
the beaux who have come counting
my sweet girlee | don't know of any.
One would rather have for a son.in.
law than yourself" remarked the
astute captain, soberly.
"Ah, thanks, awfully."
"Of course, I'm concerned about
her welfare, her future happiness.
What fond papa would not be inter.
ested? | have been studying you,
young man, when you little dreamed
unip fata uuS haina Aanil,I l.tl +