The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1880-04-15

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never once suspected he was receiving
any information.
III am not positive" 1 added, "but l
am pretty sure that the time is the 18th,
which would be Tuesday next"
"And then your folks will send down
the money and discharge the mortgage,
of course p he queried.
"Oh, yes, shall most likely bring it
down." l replied, and it never occurred
to me how imprudent I was.
He turned the conversation into other
channels and he did not once attempt to
pump me further. We got to Grafton
at 1880, and, to my great surprise he
announced that he was to stop in the
town on business for few days. l had
not asked his name or vocation, while
he knew everything about me-
We vent to the hotel, had dinner, and
then 1 secured a livery team and drove
out, getting through with business, so
that was back to take the 800 express
east. My friend was on the porch of
the hotel IS | drove up, with the same
honest, dignifed face.
"Well, did you find out y he inquired,
in his pleasant way.
eyes. it was the 18th, as l expected"
l replied.
We had lunch together, and when We
shook hands and parted, l had no more
idea of meeting him again than l had of
knowing you. In fact, he told me that
he should sail for England within a
week or ten days, and should not return
to America. AT parting he gave me his
card. l. was modest piece of paste
board, and bore the name of George
Raleigh" in old English script
Everything at the Office went on as
usual and the 18th came at length.
Law K Law had arranged with me to go
down with the money, and l looked
upon it as business of no special i'm
portance.
"We know you're all right" remarked
the senior partner, as l was about to 60;
"but l want to give you word of warn
ing, nevertheless. Don't take stranger
into your confidence until you have
passed out the money, and look out who
sits next to you"
1t was something new for him to eau
ton me, and l could not but wonder at
it, but in the hustle Of getting aboard
the train 1 forgot what he said. Ordin-
ary prudence had induced me to place
the money, which was all in bank bills
and divided in three packages, under
ugsvshiEh and nsrt fAp&skin. XShsf{G Ee Tbs Tbs
reach it.
Interested in a newspaper, time flew
by as the train Few West, and at length
the hoarse voice of the brakeman warned
me that l had reached Grafton. l had
leaped down and was making for the
livery stable when L heard a familiar
voice, and looked up to see Raleigh. He
was seated in buggy and had seem
ingly waited for me to come in.
Don't express your surprise" he be-
gan as l stopped at the wheel IL did
intend to go away but l changed my
mind, and like this section SO we'll that
l am going out to-day to look at farm
with view of purchasing-come, ride
up to the hotel"
We rode up, ordered lunch, and
while We were discussing it, Mr.. Raleigh
discovered that the farm he was going to
see was just little beyond that of old
Grips
How fortunate ] could ride out
with him, see the farm, return in his
company, and he was very much
pleased.
was also pleased. If any one had
told me as we got into the buggy, that
George Raleigh meant to return with my
money in his pocket and my blood upon
his hands, should have believed him a
lunatic. And yet he had planned to do
that very thing.
1t was lovely day in June and the
cool breeze and the sight of green
meadows and groves made my heart
grow lighter. Ny companion was very
laxative, but he did not even hint at
my errand. He talked as far away as
he could.
ooh ! excuse mo !" he exclaimed,
after we had passed mile beyond the
village and were among the farm houses.
Il should have offered you this
before"
He drew from his poke. small
flask OF wine and handed it to me.
Now, | was temperate in regard to