The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-05-28

Every ything 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 business
of no special importance.
'Wes know you are all right remarked
the senior partner, as | was about to go; but
want to give yJu word of warning, new
ertheless, Don't take any strangers 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 caution
me, and could but wonder at it; but in the
hustle of getting aboard the tram forgot
what he said. Ordinary prudence had in
duced me TO place the money, which was all
in bank bills and divided it into three pack
ages, under my shirt and next to my skin,
where the deft hand of a pickpocket could
not reach it,
Interested in a newspaper, time flew by
| as the train flew past, and at last the hoarse
voice of the brakeman warned me that had
reached Grafton. | had leaped down and
L
heard a familiar voice and looked up to see
Raleigh. He was seated in a 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 out to-day
to look at farm with view to 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
beyond that of cid Grips.
How fortunate l could ride out with
him, see the farm, return in his company,
and he was greatly pleased.
| i 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 lunatic aud
yet George Raleigh planned to do that very
thing.
twas lovely day in June, and tn cool
breeze and the sight of meadows and green
groves made my heart grow larger. My
companion was talkative, but he didn't hint
at my Grand,
oh, excuse met he exclaimed, after we
had passed a mile beyond the village, and
were among the farm houses. Il should
have offered you this before
He drew from his pocket small flask OF
| Ii Il,
perate in regard to drinks. In fact detes,-
ed the sight and smell of anything intoxica-
ting But had not the moral courage to
tell him so and hand back the flask un-
drank perhaps three good swallows. 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
hearty
In about five minutes | began to fee!
queer. The fence along the road seemed to
grow higher and the trees grow larger; some
thing came TO my ears that the rattle of the
buggy sounded long way off, How
strangel Why believe / am going to be
sickl | exclaimed, holding on to the seal
all my might.
You do look strange he replied, with a
snaky smile stealing over his face; 4
shoaldn't wonder if it was apoplexy.'
! did not snuspect the game he hat
played. His words were like an echo, anc
his face looked twice as large as it was. My
head began to spin and my brain began tc
snap and crack. and | was greatly fright
ened
"You are badly off, he continued look ing
into my face 81 will drive as fast as pos
sible and get doctor"
My tongue was so heavy that l could no
reply. l clutched the seat, shut my eyes
and he put his horse at his best pace. w,
met farmers team, and l can remembe
that one of the occupants of the wagor
called out to know what allied that mar
Raleigh did not reply, but urged his hors'
forward.
About three miles from Grafton was
long stretch of forest, and this was soor
reached. The pain in my head was not 81
violent, and | was not so badly affected
when opening my eyes. had settled int
a sort of dumb stupor, with brain SO be
numbed that | had to say to myself; 'Thi
. is tree, that is stump ETC., before
} could make sure | was not wrong. Half,
mile down the road after we struck tn,
forest, and then Raleigh turned his hors
into blind road leading back into tn
woods, | could not understand what he in
tended. tried to grapple with the question
, but could not solve it.
well, here we are 7 exclaimed Raleigh
when we had reached point forty rod
from the main road,
He stopped the horse, got out and hitche
} him, and then came round to the wheel.
. You don't feel just right, but / que:
you will be better soon, he remarked. Com
e let me help you down.
He reached up his arms, and | lei go tn
seat and fell into them. 1t seemed to N
: as if weighed ton, but he carried m
along with an effort, and laid me dow
within about rod of fence which ra
e along on one side of an old pasture. Ju
# then began to get little better. TIL
effects of the drug were wearing off, and
It got fair suspicion that something unusu
o had happened But was powerless to mo'
a limb; the sensation was like that whe
II your foot goes to sleep.
? Can you speak p inquired Raleigh, benz
ing over me because If you can not
e will save me some trouble. | want to kno
" just where you have stored away th
i money
Now began to realize my situation. II
d face looked natural again and the load WI
t, off my tongue. also felt that could mo,
| my fingers little.
y George Raleigh are you going to re
| meY' asked finding my voice at last.