Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1902-07-17

Still Lady Airline showed no signs
of nervousness.
Perhaps | may shock you, Mr.
Stuart-perhaps you have such strict
notions of honesty and a name upon
which there has never been a stain
that you will hardly be as pleased tc
look upon me in the light of a sister
when | confess that | have a relative
in wnom | am deeply concerned, and
who has broken the law of his native
land-vho took what was not his OWL
and fed. In plain language, Mr. Stu
art, my cousin betrayed a trust and
stole money"
She was scarlet with shame as she
turned her blue eyes appealingly to,
ward him.
Let me tell you as briefly as can.
| knew him quite well. He was young.
er, and a son of my fathers only
brother, now long since dead. We
were good friends up to the time he
took this false step, and | was the last
one he saw l@fore he fled from Eng
land. Poor boy. if he had only con-
fided in me, could have easily settled
the matter, which | did soon after
ward, at any rate.
Il have been searching since last
October; at times the trail would
grow warm, and then l lost sight of
him completely.
BY mere accident a friend wrote
me that she believed she had seen
him in Antwerp, though he had not
answered her smile and nod. | could
very well understand why, since be
believed the officers from London
were looking for him.
That is why | came hereto find
this boy, to reclaim and make a man
of him."
And / shall endeavor to assist you
in your search for this Alexander
Brand" said Charlie eagerly. "As it
CHANGED | have some knowledge of
the young chap. In truth, have seen
him face to face"
Herein Antwerp" eagerly.
''In this city"
"And you can take me to him?
You will, Mr.. Stuart?" laying a hand
upon his arm.
IF you so desire; but that will ne.
cessitate a long journey-across the
sea, in fact"
Then he has returned to England?"
No; to America-New York"
How very strangely it all came
about" she unused.
Almost Incredible! Indeed, I
should have been 10th to believe such
things could be possible if | had not
gone through the experience myself"
Everything had now been told, so
that there was no more secrets.
The rest of the ride was occupied
in enjoying the features of the seen
cry, in so far as these points could
be discovered from a vehicle.
And Charles mind was made up
ere they returned to the Hotel de la
Paix that, God willing, he would serve
and win this peerless gil
The curiosity of Artemus had been
whetted to a degree that demanded
satisfaction, else his peace of mind
was forever gone.
He asked many questions regarding
Aleck.
Evidently the young fellow had
aroused the strongest interest in his
mind, for he saw in him the elements
Of a strong character that must at
tract attention from the public.
Where is he bound-Hong Kong,
Singapore, Cape Town? I'm
ready to go to the uttermost parts of
the earth to interview him!"
TRY something easier-something
nearer home"
New York;" with a little, almost
Shrek. .a.a ..-
Exactly. ! have a sort of engage
ment with him at the Windsor Hotel
in your city"
But that is not me-"
We'll, you can make one of the
party. Arline-that is, Miss Brand,
or rather, Lady Arline-is bound to
find Aleck. She is possessed of an
idea that since fortune was so bounti-
full as to heap favors in her lap, she
should respond by taking care of this
or cousin, who seems
between a bright career and
going to the devil. ...
circumstances drive us sometimes,
don't they, Charlie? But there's one
party | rather guess you've overlook
ed"
Who's that?"
Her father" chuckling.
Capt. Brand, you mean. l believe
| have arranged a berth for him"
"Where-on the steamer"
Rather in the place where l spent
part of last night" .a..s,s.,.
"Oh, ah! then he's a fraud, sure
enough"
Il have every reason so to believe.
At any rate, my friend, the baron, has
promised to look after him." g..
I've no doubt Peterhoffs intentions
are good; but there's a prospect of
his being fully occupied in another
quarter" I-rtemus said, sagely.
Meaning the Countess Isolde"
"Well, she has seldom missed her
game-the most wonderful woman
outside of Thackeray's Becky Sharpe
| ever heard of. You're lucky to have
just missed her, my boy. Men jeer
at her powers and boast about their
inyulnerable qualities; yet no sooner
do they come in touch with this mod
ern Gree than their knees grow weak,
and one glance from her bewitching
eyes charms them even as the rattle
snake does its prey"
Your advice is good. l had intend
ed depending on my own ability to
checkmate this old reprobate; and, on
the whole, it may be best for me to
keep my hand at the plow."
And I'll stand by, ready to give
what aid | may. Don't hesitate to