Smyrna times. [volume] (Smyrna, Del.) 1854-1987, 1880-12-15

snooH nanus ana parted l had no more
idea of ever meeting him again than l had
OF knowing you. In fact, he told me that
ne should sail for England within week
or ten days, and should not return to
America. At parting he gave me his card.
1t was modest piece of pasteboard, and
bore the name of "George Raleigh" in old
English text.
Everything at the Office went on as usual,
and the 18th came at length. Law & Law
had arranged with me to go down with the
money, and looked upon it as a business
of special Importance.
We know you are all right" remarked
the senior partner, as 1 was about to 20 :;
"but want to give you a word of warning,
nevertheless. Don't take any stranger into
your confidence until you have passed out
the money, and look who sits next to YOU.
1t was something new for him to caution
me, and | could not but wonder at it; but
in the hustle of getting aboard the train
forgot what he said. Ordinary prudence
had induced me to place the money, which
was all in bank bills and divided into
three packages, under my shirt and next
to my skin, where the deft hand of a pick.
pocket could not reach it.
Interested in newspaper time flew by
as the train flew past, and at length the
hoarse voice of brakeman warned me
that had reached Grafton. leaped down
and was making for livery stable, when I
heard familiar voice, and looked up to
see Raleigh. He was seated in buggy.
and had seemingly waited for me to come
in.
" Don't express your SURPRISE" he began.
as stopped at the wheel, did intend to
go away. l changed my mind, and like
this section so well that am going to. day
to look at farm with view of purchas.
ing-come, ride up to the hotel"
We rode up, ordered lunch, and while
we were discussing it, Mr.. Raleigh discov.
cred that the farm he was going to see was
just beyond that of old Grips.
How fortunate could ride ont with
him, see the farm, return in his company,
and he was greatly pleased.
was also pleased. If any man had told
me that George Raleigh meant to return
with my money in his pocket and nv
blood upon his hands, l should have be.
lleVed him lunatic. And yet George
Raleigh had planned to do that very thing.
1t was lovely day in June, and the cool
breeze and the sight of the meadows and
green-groves made my heart grow larger.
My companion was very talkative, but he
didn't even hint at my GRAND. lie talked
as far away as he could.
"Oh ! excuse me!' he exclaimed, after
we had passed mile beyond the village,
and were among the farmhouses. al
should have offered you this before"
He drew from his pocket small flask Of
wine and handed it to me. Now, was
temperate in regard to drinks. In fact. 7
detested the sight and smell of ANYTHING
intoxicating. But | had not the moral
courage to tell him SO, and hand back the
flask undisturbed. feared to offend him
and so drank perhaps three good swal'
lows. He called my attention to the woods
on the left, as he received back the flask.
and when | looked around again he was
just removing it from his mouth as if he
had drank heartily.
In about five minutes l began to feel
queer. The fences along the road seemed
to grow higher, and the trees grow longer /;
something came to my ears so that the
rattle Of the buggy sounded a long way
off.
"How strange! Why, l believe 1 am
going to be sick !" exclaimed, holding on
to the seat with all my might,
You look strange" he replied, snaky
smile stealing over his face; l shouldn't
wonder if it was apoplexy.
did not suspect the game he had
played. His words were like an echo, and
his face seemed twice as large as it was
My head began to spin, and my brain began
to snap and crack, and l was terribly
frightened.
You are badly off," he continued, look
ing into my face. 81 will drive az fast as
possible and get doctor"
My tongue was so heavy that could not
reply. l clutched the seat, shut my eyes,
and he put his horse at his best pace. We
met farmers team, and can remember
that one of the occupants of wagon called
out to know what allied the man,-Raleigh
did not reply, but he urged his horse for.
ward.
| 8. About three miles from Grafton was a
long stretch of forest, and this was soon
reached. The pain in my head was so
violent, and was not so badly affected
when opening my eyes. had settled into
sort of dumb stupor, with brain so be.
numbed that had to say to myself: "This
is tree, this is stump" etc., before I
could make sure was not wrong. Half q
mile down the road after we struck the
forest, and then Raleigh turned the horse
into road leading back into the woods. I
could not understand what he intended. I
tried to grapple with the question, but
could not solve it.
"Well, here we arep exclaimed Raj.
sgh, when he had reached point about
forty rods from the main road.
He stopped the horse, got out and hitched
him, and then came round to the wheel.
"You don't feel just right, but guess
you will be better soon," he said. "Come
let me help you down."
He reached up his arms, and l let 60 of
the seat and fell into them. 1t seemed to