The Van Buren press., 1894-12-22
erty which the millionsirc did NOT -
sent, being too wrstchcd.
.sYou allude TO Mrs. MeTavish9"

erty which the millionaitc did NOV -.
sent, being too wretchcd.
.You allude TO Mrs. MeTavish9"
II do. sir.n
"She may be thconseiouslv Inter
ested In the-thH-diab61ical scheme,
bit her name must not be dragged into
it It may be as well TO inform you
that she is my promised wife"
sRivals for the hand OF the same
lady" remarked Clement, unmindful
OF q kick on the shins which Eugene
administered, while Mr. Armitage
turned His back for moment
"Yes." and the old man laughed.
softly, his wiry, puckered face light
ing up with reminiscent youth. she
preferred me, bat II, on the other
hand, she had chosen him, / would not
have demanded the forfeit Of his life.
You have not spoken of this to any
one? 1t is to be kept forever as dark
secret"
"That can hardly be possible, l
fear" said Eugene, gravely,e and an
idea at once occurred to the man who
had Just escaped . horrible death.
:. = u i4=s iiss su1 al
lyon wish me to purchase your
silence9" he suggested, looking at each
OF the two in turn:
mo. sir; you Insult us by the
thought" exclaimed Hunter, in man.
ner that was convincing Of its truth.
and his friend Clement Andrus con-
firmed the statement by few ener-
getic words. He continued:
II am here for the purpose OF beg
ging your silence on subject that
would interest and horrify the entire
country. Not a word, II you please,
until-until-the right time. My words
may sound mysterious, but they can
be explained at later period. II you
meet your late friend it will be we'll to
conceal any knowledge Of his dastard-
ly conduct"
s'That advice is Unnecessary an
swered Mr.. Armitage with much dig
nifty. my friend will never suffer at
my hands. Now you must permit me
to recompense YOU"
A loud ringing Of the door bell here
disturbed them A voice which Mr..
Armitage and Eugene hunter both
recognized was heard saying in decided
tones:
II will go right in, no matter who is
with him. There was never such q
lying story invented, and will prove
1t on the spot"
The two young men rose to their
feet. Eugene said quickly:
Conceal us. You can call upon us
to substantiate what we have told you
II you require proof"
The man entering had his hand on
the door, still expostulating with the
servant, when Mr.. Armitage hurriedly
led his guests into an adjoining room
which also opened into the hall. As
soon as the door closed they looked at
each other.
1.-The game is up"
Somebody has penched."
at was beautiful fake"
Never would have been such a
scoop since the food"
"Clem, 1 am discharged from this
hour"
aren't you glad? You shall go to
China as special correspondent"
| II am not q success as a poisoner."
Listen" said Clement; .'they may
not adjust their differences. If they
do, we want to make ourselves scarce.
l wish now that we had rushed copy
this evening instead of waiting"
"But Mrs. McTavish-we would not
have interviewed her. Oh, Glenn. some
body has blundered. could wiring
| the informer's neck"
mo trip to Europe on this deal"
III we escape the penitentiary we
will do we'll. These two old buffers
may let us 20 scot free II they think
you believed the wine really poisoned. y
The two millionaires were holding
love feast in the next room. They
had fallen into each others arms and
were kissing and making up like two
love-sick girls.
produce the wine and let me prove
to you, my dear Philip. that the story
that 1t was poisoned was an infamous
| lie."
Mr.. Armitage rang for servant
who brought glasses, and the million
aire OF the second part brought out the
wine from bookcase, where he had
concealed it on the intimation Of itl
dangerous purpose.
Mr.. Plumnsr solemnly filed his
glass.
II drink to her health and to your
and may God bless you both," he
said, with trembling voice, and hi
eyes filled with tears as he drained the
glass.
Philip Armitage was not to be out
done by his friend in generosity. He
filed a glass and lifted It over his white
head.
ITO her whom we both love-" he
said, and drank 1t to the last drop
| Neither of the two friends fell dead
although they sat there till the morn
ing stars shone, and emptied both bot
ties in the joy of reconciliation; bu'
with each drauRht they drank a new
health to Mrs. McTavish, and thai
lady's ears must have burned with
considerable zeal When the million
aire host remembered the two young
men in the room In which they haG
bean hidden, it was found to be empty
They had walked out and left no sigr
| OF their going.
Having spent the mig ht together. the
two old friends did not separate until
after an elaborate breakfast had beer
served. 1t was we'll they ate before
reading Che morning paper. The lead
ing social news was the unexpected
and hastv marriage of the beautiful
widow, Mrs. McTayish. to well
known capitalist the day before. The
couple had gone to Europe for an in