The Sunday morning news. [volume] (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1886-1891, 1886-12-12

Stoker. with voice grown angrlly hoarse.
esWhat dye mean7" said Mr.. Bissel,
with resentful sharpness
IF he told you that" Mr.. Sloker re-
sponded deliberately, ''it 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.. Bissels face grew red; the hand
which clutched the fence irembled indig-
nantly, and he struggled to speak.
There's been foul playp Mr.. Stoker
went on, excItedly. HE told me, did
Joel Tobey, right there in my kitchen,
just yesterday. that he was going to leave
every cent of his money to me.
Mr. Bssels face turned from red TO
white. Il don't believe i'll" he said, wrath
fully. There was palpitatiug silence.
The two old friends, the neighbors OF
twenty-five years, stood glazing at each
other
Don't you ever set foot in my house
againl" said Mr.. Stoker, INSTEAD ly; you
nor your son neither I'd see my girl in
her grave before I'd see her married to
himr'
"'And I'd give my last drop of hood to
save him from being tied to any OF your
kith or kiniD said Mr. Bissel, furiously.
If there came thought OF their HE
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 unobserved
aud stood waiting in bored way for a
chance to speak, said to himself that he
had never seen a llvefier tussle.
The red haired man looked weary, trav-
el-stained, and was himself rather out of
temper.
well" he remarked, impatiently, see
ing you're stopping TO take breath, may be
you'll tell me if you know anything about
an old man I'm after Escaped 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
'-Tobeys his name, . sad the red-haired
man, joyfully. Have you got him?'
He amt the man." said Mr.. Bissel,
with dignity. "He's on visit to his
friends. He owns a silver mine out
Vest"
The red-haired man laughed.
Thinks he does" he said, jovially;
Lud1 udS llldnld LIZ OAN nav ChS3 y NN'-S
ago, and sunk all his money 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? |
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. Stokar ruhhed his chin for several
moments in sober reflection.
It's just what we deserve, BisseL he
said at last, solemnly.
Just what l was thinking" Mr.. Bissei
rejoined.
81 declare-I don't know but I'm glad
of iti' said Mr.. Stoker. when it comes
to quarreling with your best friend, Bis
selll--"
"a silver mine, more or less. wouldn't
hardly make it square" said Bissel. Just
what | was thinking,
A tall young man and da1k-eyed girl
were coming slowly up the street together.
They're a pretty good-looking couple,
amt they Bissel?" said Mr.. Stoker.
They can't be beat. said Mr.. Blssel,
heartily. And the two old friends shook
hands.