The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-01-22

back to take the $3.50 express east. My friend
was on the porch of the hotel as drove up
carrying the same honest, dignihed look.
"well, did you Gnd out q" he inquired, in
his pleasant way.
"Yes, it was on the 18th, as expected,
replied.
We took lunch together, and when we
shook hands and parted had no more idea
of ever meeting him again than have oI
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. 1t was a
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 last Law & Law had
arranged with me to go down with the
money, and had looked upon it as bust.
ness of special importance.
"We know you are all right" remarked
the senior partner, as was about to go /;
"but want to give you word of warning,
nevertheless. Don't take any strangers in
to 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 att; but in
| the hustle of getting aboard the train l for
got 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, where the delt
hand of pickpocket could not reach it.
Interested in newspaper, time flew by
as the train few past, and at length the
hoarse voice of brakeman warned me that
had reached Grafton. leaped down and
was making for livery stable, when heard
a familiar voice and looked up to see Raleigh.
He was seated in a buggy, and had appar-
emily been waiting my arrival.
"Don't express your surprise" he began,
as l stopped at the wheel 81 did intend to
go away. changed my mind, and like
this section so well that am going out to-
| day to look at farm with view of pur-
chasing-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 Old Grips. How fortunate
could ride out with him, see the farm, re-
turn in his company, and he was greatly
pleased.
was also pleased. Ifany man 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. 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 talkatiye, but he
didn't even hint at my errand. He talked
as far away as he could.
"Oh | excuse ell" he exclaimed, after we
had passed a mile beyond the villege and
were among the farmhouses. 81 should
have offered you this before"
He drew from his pocket a small flask of
wine and handed it to me. Now | was
temperate in regard TO drinks. In fact,
detesed the smell and sight of anything in
toxcating. l feared to offend him, and so
l 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 feel
queer. The fence along the road seemed to
grow higher and trees grow larger some
thing came to my ears so that the rattle of
the buggy sounded long way off.
GLOW strange! Why, I believe am 60
ing to be sick /" exclaimed, holding on to
the seat with all my might.
"You do look strange" he replied, snaky
smile stealing oyer his face; 81 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 was terribly frightened.
you are badly Off" he continued, look
ing into my face. al will drive as fast as
possible and get doctor"
My tongue was SO heavy that could not
reply. ! 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 the wagon call
ed out to know what allied the man. Ra-
leigh did not reply, but he urged his horse
forward.
About three miles from Grafton was O
long stretch of forest, aud this was soon
reached. The pain in my heart was not SC
violent, and was not so badly affected when
opening my eyes. had settled into a sort
of dumb stupor, with brain so benumbed
that had to say to myself; "This is tree
this is a stump" ETC., before I could make
sure was not wrong. Half a mile down
the road, after we struck the forest, and ther
Raleigh turned the horse into a road lead
ing back into the woods. l could not uu-
derstand what he intended. | tried to crap
pie with the question, but could not solve
, it.
"Well, here we are !" exclaimed Raleigh
when he had reached point forty rods from
the main road
He stopped the horse, got out and tied it
: and then came round to the wheel.
"You don't feel just right, but guess yo,
will be better soon," he remarked. "Come
let me help you down"
He reached up his arms, and let 60 o
the seat and fell into them. 1t seemed t
me as if weighed ton, but he carried mt
' along without an effort, and laid me dowr
within about rod Of fence which rar
along on one side of an old pasture. Th'
l. effect of the drug was wearing off and | go
D a faint suspicion that something unusual haC
d happened. But was powerless to move 4
limb the sensation was like that when you
Q foot goes 10 sleep.