Western cyclone., 1886-12-16

subtle change But the fact escaped his
notice. Curious wasn't it. Tobey light
ing down so sudden?" Mr. BisseI re-
marked.
Mr.. Stoker assented.
"Been doing wonderfully well out
West" Mr.. BisSel pursued. Got sill
yer mine out there. Maybe he mention
ed it?"
"Well. yes" said Mr. Stoker. guard
edly. Mr.. Bissel recrossed his legs and
coughed refectively.
"Well he did say something about
not speaking of it, he said slowly; "but
l don't see as it'll do any hurt to tell
you. l declare it knocked me all of a
heap, Stoker, and don't know how to
tell it. but the old man has made up his
mind to leave me all his money. You
see, he hasn't a relative in the world;
and he says I'm as old friend as he's
get, and he always did think everything
of me-good gracious, Stoker!''
For Mr.. Stokers face was slowly
lengthening.
That's what you're up to, is it?" he
said, raising himself from the fence with
an ominOus jerk.
WHAT" retorted his hearer.
YOU'RE deeper'n l thought" said
Mr.. Stoker, in a voice grown angrily
hoarse,
What dye mean?" said Mr. BisseI,
with resentful sharpness.
IF he told you that" Mr.. Stoker re-
sponded deliberately, sit was because
you proposed the thing yourself and
wouldn't let up! If he said them
words to you, Rufus Bissel, he was
made to"
Mr.. Bissel's face grew red; the hand
which clutched the fence trembled in
dignantly, and he struggled to speak.
There's been foul play" Mr.. Stoker
went on, excitedly. He told me, did
Joel Tobey, right here in my kitchen.
just yesterday, that ne was going to
leave every cent of his money to me-"
Mr.. Bissel's face turned from red to
white. Il don't believe itr' he said,
wrathfully. There was a palpitating
silence. The two old friends, the
neighbors of twenty-five years, stood
glaring at each other.
Don't you ever set foot in my house
againr' said Mr.. Stoker. unsteadily;
you nor your son, neither. I'd see my
girl in her grave before I'd see her
married to him!''
"And I'd give my last drop of blood
to save him from being tied to any of
your kith or kinr' said Mr.. Bissel, furi-
ously.
If there came thought of their life
long friendship, of the many years they
had lived side by side in perfect trust
and harmony, it was thrust aside. The
red-haired man who had come up un-
observed, and stood waiting in bored
way for a chance to speak, said to him.
self that be had never seen livelier
tuSsle.
The red-haired man looked weary
and travel-stained, and was himself
rather out of temper.
"Well," he remarked, impatiently.
seeing you're stopping TO take breath,
maybe you'll tell me if you know any
thing about an old man Pm after. Es-
capped from private asylum. Must
have gone through here yesterday. I've
tracked him every step of the way; but
he's kept little ahead. Short and thin,
with sharp eyes"
His listeners started.
He can't mean Tobey," said Mr..
Stoker, slowly.
"Tobey's his name," said the red
haired man, ioyfully. "Have you got
himp"
He amt the one," said Mr.. Bssel
with dignity. 'He's on q visit to his
friends. He owns a silver mine out
West"
The red-haired man laughed.
Thinks he does," he said, jovially.
That's his mania; he did have one
years ago, and sunk all his money in it,
and it turned his brain. He's been in
our asylum ever since; his friends keep
him there. Perfectly harmless, but
cracked. If you'd just mention where
he is, by the way? l don't care about
missing him this time"
Mr.. Bissel jerked his thumb backward
in agitated silence, and the red-haired
man disappeared with alacrity.
Mr.. Stoker rubbed his chin for several
moments in sober reflection.
Its just what we deserve, Bissel,"
he said at last, solemnly.
Just what | was thinking" Mr.. Bis
sci rejoned.
Il declare-I don't know but I'm glad
of it," said Mr.. Stoker. when it comes
to quarreling with your best frie nd, Bis
sell"
"a silver mine. more or less, wouldn't
hardly make 1t squarer' said Bissel.
Just what was thinking"
A tall young man and dark-eyed
girl were coming slowly up the street
together.
They re pretty good-lookipg couple
amt they, Bissel?" said Mr. Stoker.
They can't be beat" said Mr. Bissel,
heartily. And the two old friends shook
hands. Good Cheer.
How Germany Treats Spies.
The Paris Mdtin gives its. readers tha