The Red Cloud chief., 1902-06-20

failed to note its generous proportions
as c%ontrasted with the neat footgear
which Charlie Stuart afected-such
triflos do not impress themselves upon
the mind when weightier things are
demanding recognition.
Now for a certer shot.
He turned his attention to the lower
berth. which was occupied by a human
form.
Just then the rssal sound Tne to
a sudden stop with a savage ~, and
the sleeper whirled over IN his side.
The act brought his face directly
within range of the morning light that
struggled through the small openings
beyond.
No wonder Artemus crouched there
as If frozen.
Talk about the magic touch of the
gem! When had such a wonderful
transformation ever taken place be-
fore? .
For one to retire as Prince Charlie
Stuart, gay. handsome and debonair.
to awaken in the guise of grim and
griZzled old Captain Brand was a mys-
tery that almost paralyzed the seeker
after sensations.
Artemus took one last fearsome look
at the smooth and red p~hysiognomy of 3,
the sleeper, passed out, and then soft
~ closed the door.
Only when safe within his own room
did he give ven to his over.wrought
feelings in a whistle.
NHa I,...at TEa. Ia-., 80,
thing | ever saw. Instead of Charlie
the ogre! What does it mean?
There is treaChery afloat. | seem to
detect 1t in the very air around. But
the question arises. where Is Charlie?
And shall | have to take his place as
her warrior bold. and will il be neces-
sary for me to give up my liberty"
Poor fellow!
He did not know whether to look
on 1t as a huge joke or a grim reality.
He thought of warning Airline: she
ought to know her doar papa was on
board, and that he had refused to
break the paternal bonds that had be
come SO very strong since his return
from exile.
Artemus buckled on his armor.
III he was to be pitted against the
ola ogre. 1t would be a pretty fight.
Capt. Brand might have succeeded in
outwitting Charlie, who was too frank
for deep diplomacy. but he would find
it quite another thing when he ran mp
against the new knight who had SHE'D
his castor into the ring.
All! A gentle tap AT the door.
Artcmus almost fell over himself in
his eag"rneSs to open a satChel and
clutch a little affair of steel AMI nickel
which he carried there, and armed
with which he called:
Come"
The door opened and a figure whisk.
ed in, Immediately closing the same
again.
Artemus gave a Cry-the h~alf.raised
arm fell useless at his side.
There was more witchery. He had
expected the old ogre. armed with a
shoe, and bent upon turning the tables
upon him.
Instead he saw-why, Charlie. Of
course, though at first Artemus reck.
oned II his ghost, Charlie. with a fin.
ger pressed mysteriously on his lips,
a la Artcmus' favorite style of com.
~municating a secret, and his face
wreathed in what appeared to be "A
broad grin.
At any rate. Barnaby was delighted
to see him in the flesh, and as soon as
he could get his wits into thinking or i
der he dropped the weapon and held
ont an eager hand.
This is a treat, my lear boy-after
seeing that grim old Trojan in your
bunk. What have you done? Brought
aboard a prisoner, | reckon? All!
! didn't give YOU enough credit, | fear.
You see, my first impression was he
had outwitted you and turned the ia.
bles on you
Artemus was boiling over with curl
osity regarding what had taken place
ashore, especially when his friend de-
clared. with a WHY face, that Capt.
Brand had indeed come near proving
too much for him.
The story was soon told.