The Elbert County tribune., 1902-08-28

10 DcE my paIuch oha RSA ccaaliy Gull
duct me to freedom"
The youngster looked n him with
kindling eyes.
Bravo, like your spirit" he said.
Would you mind shaking hands with
me. sir7"
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 indeed7
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 cid
planks and kept the FIRE going with
fragments.
BY degrees his thoughts came
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 1t, and. bending down.
he read the name by the fiickering
light of his fire.
Then 1t dawned upon him why he
had felt such a 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
strong family resemblance in their
faces.
There hust 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 vel
fare of one puny human life.
Charlie pondered upon the matter a
long time.
Then. before he knew it, he fell
asleep, despite his hard seat and his
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 gruff 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 a walk" he
said. coolly.
The man began to grasp the situa-
ton. and when he could move. he
bawl for assistance.
Several other wardens came
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
But you. mein herr: how is 1t you
remain? Do you like this residence SO
well?" grimly.
"I told you last night. or attempted
to. that was an innocent party-that
Baron Peterhoff was my friend-that
my arrest, under the circumstances,
was an outrage; and hence l utterly
refused to leave this place until you
and the baron had humbly begged my
pardon. Indeed. am not sure but
that will insist on remaining here
until the English consul comes to see
me and takes action against your mis-
cradle government for treating me. a
British subject. in this disgraceful
way"
Just as he had expected. his manner
awed the fiery commandant. who
feared trouble.
He began to whine at once. and ex-
pressed his rgret that any mistake
should have occurred. Surely mein
herr must hold him blameless, since
he had only done his duty In the prem
ises. 1t was not given to him to in
vestigate when the all-powerful Baron
Peterhoff brought In political prisoners
with orders to hold them securely.