Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1902-08-08
By ST. GEORGE RATHBOaNE.

with the professor. and even mention
the baron.
When she heard that Peterhon be-
lieved her to be the celebrated adven-
turess. she hung her head.
Charlie was overcome with confu-
sion.
II have distressed you: and yet !
beg you to believe I meant II all kind
ly. II was a silly thing for Peterhon
to do. but even the shrewdest OF men
OF his stamp make absurd blunders
sometimes. His last famous one cost
Russia her Gar. Remember. I never
for once took any stock in his ridicu-
lous idea. II was all a mistake"
Then the maid looked up.
Her eyes were sparkling with real
tears. but Charles haste to assure her
OF his positive belief In her innocence
OF the charge had brought smile to
her face.
1T is dreadful. even to be taken for
such p notorious woman. don't you
think? But perhaps should look at
II reasonably. and believe the baron
has made an excusabie biunder. Real
iy. some of the gareons here in the ho-
tel have addressed me as countess. and
have been puzzled to account for
II until now. 80 We must look alike
I dcmure little English iassic. and
she n clever. designing Russian dip
iomat.''
Charlie nodded. eagerly.
What she said seemed SO very rca-
sonable. and she took II much better
than he expected.
But hc could easily discover that
Airline was not wholly ut her ease.
Frequently she cast quick glances In
the direction OF the door.
This fact had come to his attention
some time back: but Charlie did not
ind the least reason to suspect that
the baron had au.ht to do with II.
She seemed to hesitate. perhaps
hardly knowing Just how to begin her
story.
ALLOW me to remark. In the begin
ming" said Charlie. that. while ! am
ready and anxious TO serve you. and
stand ready to do nil that may become
a man-if there Is any reason why you
should wish to keep these things &C.
crct. ! will try to help you. even while
cropping In complete ignorance.
"oh. no. she answered quickly: lit
Is not that. You are entitled to the
fullest confidence. ! was only cndcav-
orins to collect my thoughts so that
| might know Just how to begin. And.
besides. l have n natural feclin. OF
shame. because the person who has.
| sadly fear. been plotting In secret
against me. IL one who should be my
best friend upon carth-my fnthcr!"
Young though she was. this bcauti-
full girl had known what II was to sup
with poverty. to be left alone and
tricndlcss In the world and to meet
with the most unexpected and glorious
fortune.
Her story. even when briefly told.
was series OF dramatic surprises. such
Us are well fitted for the stage. yet
occur so seldom In real life.
She barely mentioned her earlier
years. save to tell how her father. n
sea captain. had been lost rs II was
believed, ut sea: and with her mother
she had fought the grim wolf in Lon
don. sewing. rs such people of rcfine-
ment reduced to poverty must do in
order to earn bread.
Then came her mothers death. fol-
lowed by her bitter fight against the
world. and especially the persecution
OF dashing gentleman. who seemed
determined that she should marry him.
no matter II dislike and disgust took
the part of love in her breast.
Then the wonderful freak OF fortune
that brought Airline in contact with
At. n hx,
ingly wealthy.
II was the old story-Arline's mother
had married beneath her. and from
that hour had been as dead to her
relatives: but when kind Provi-
dence threw the forlorn young girl I'M
der the housekeeping carriage horses
of the dowager Lady Wallis, and she
later on discovered that this lovely
creature was her own flesh and blood,
a sudden love for the girl sprang up
in her withered old heart, which re-
suited in her adopting this niece as
her sole heiress.
Two years later Airline was bereft
of her eccentric, but kind relative, and
found herself once more alone in the
world. this time possessed of most
bountiful fortune.
Then it was, with the abruptness of
cannon shot, Captain Brand ap-
peared upon the scene.
He had thrilling story to tell OF
his vessels laundering in gale Off
the African coast. his narrow escape
from drowning, of being cast ashore.
found by wandering Arabs. taken into
captivity, sold some years later to
tribe of the Great Sahara, SO that he
finally drifted to Dahomey where,
through the assistance of the faithful
woman he had been forced to marry.
he eventually made bold and success
full escape. though his companion gave
up her life in throwing herself In
front of spear that was meant Tor
him.
Airline accepted 1t all as gospel truth
and would have at the time believed
even n much more miraculous series OF
adventures could such have been by
any means invented by this modern
Munchausen.
This was before she knew Captain
Brand so well.
She spent money with a liberal hand.