Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-07-03
CHAPTER VIZ

-E~-1r
Copyright 1901. Street and Smith, New York.
CHAPTER VIZ
Take Care, Captain Brandt"
Artemus looked into his companion
face as the other made this strange
and unexpected announcement.
Himself something of practical
Joker, it was natural that the dramatic
student of human nature should be
suspicious lest he fall 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, 1t isn't given to most of us
to see a man hung and then meet him
. afterward alive and well. Tell me
about 1t. Charlie, my boy"
There isn't a great deal to narrate.
At the time an instruction in Chill
was causing the most intense excite
ment. and some very bloody battles
were fought about Santiago.
Il CHANGED to be. as | said, in Val
paradise. One day l found myself in a
crowd of excited citizens and soldiers.
in the midst OF whom stood a prisoner
Ia 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
Zone moment saw him as he
dang!ed in space. hands and feet strik.
ing out wildly-a spectacle shall ney-
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
minds of the crowd that great hoax
had been successfully carried out.
For when they looked for Hedge.
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 / am
almost ready to swear that our Capt.
Brand in yonder is the Identical
Hedge, grown little gray in the ser
vice OF beating the world, but just
the same old sixpence."
Artemus nodded. and they separated
for a time.
But their meeting had not been I'M
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
Charlie handed the well-worn book of
music to the fair girl.
play that for mean old favorite--
always rewves 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.
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 a few
sentences in Arline's ear while the
captain waited at the door, SO that
he was assured of seeing her again
on the morrow.
Capt. Brand led her away.
3 One smiling glance she sent back
over her plump shoulder-gods! what
a thrill it gave the bachelor who re-
ceived II!
Here was a miracle.
He felt dazed-felt as though he
walked in dream. He who had scott
ed at such a ridiculous thing as love
at first sight. who had always declared
the holy passion flower OF slow
growth. founded upon mutual friend
ship and esteem. now discovered his
theory in utter ruin. and not only that.
but himself engulfed in the chaotic
debris.
Finally he aroused himself to a
realization of the fact that there We're
a few more people in the world besides
Airline Brand.
How about the baron? Had he learn
ed of his mistake by this time with re-
gard to the identity OF the Countess
Isolde?
The idea of taking Airline for the
fascinating countess was absurd. How
could so shrewd a man have been de-
ceived? Why did an occasional lin