Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1895-02-28

softlv his wiry, puckered face light
inc up with reminiscent youth, "she
preferred me, but If, on the other
hand, she had chosen him, would noc
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" 49,. !.
"That can hardly be possible
fear" said Eugene, gravely, ana an
idea Mt once occurred to the man VINO
had just escaped horrible DEATH
which was of new import he inale
q very natural mistake.
"You wish me to purchase your
silence?" he suggested, looking at each
| of the two in turn.
"No. sir; you insult us by the
thought~ exclaimed Hunter, in man
ner that was convincing OF its truth,
and his friend Clement Andrus con
firmel the statement by few ener'
gctic words. He continued:
! 81 am here for the purpose OF beg
cling your silence on subject tina.
would interest and horrify the entire
country, Not word, if you please,
until-until-th right time. My words
may sound mysterious, but they can
be explained at later period. IT YOU
meet your late friend it will be well to-
conceal any knowledge of his bastard
ly conduct "
"rhat advice is unnecessary" an.
swered Mr. Armitage with much dig
nifty. my friend viii never suffer al
nv 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:
81 will go right in, no matter who Is
with him. There was never such
lying story invented, and will prove
it 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
il 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.
"The game is up"
Somebody has peached."
ut was beautiful fake"
Never would have been such a
scoop since the flood. /"
"Clem, / am discharged from this
hour"
aren't you glad? You shall go to
China as special correspondent"
~ am not success as poisoner.
Listen" said Clement; they may
not adjust their differences. II they
do, we want to make ourselves scarce.
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"
"If we escape the penitcntiary we
will do WELL These two old buffers
may let us go scot free if they think
you believed the wine really poisoned. "
The two millionaires We're holding
q love feast in the next room. They
had fallen into each Others arms and
we're kissing and making up like two
iove-sicl1 girls.
Produce the wine and let me prove
to you, my dear Philip, that the story
that it 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 its
dangerous purpose.
Mr.. Plummer solemnly filed his
glass.
~ drink to her health and to yours
and may God bless you both" he
said, with trembling voice, and his
eyes filed with tears as he drained the
glass.
Philip Armitage was not to be out
done by his friend in generosity. He
filed glass and lifted it ever his white
head.
40 her whom we both love-" he
said, and drank it 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; but
with each draught they drank a new
health to Mrs. McTavish, and that
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 had
been hidden, it was found to be empty.
They had walked out and left no Sign
of their going
Having spent the night together, the
two old friends did not separate until
after an elaborate breakfast had been
served. 1t was well they ate before
reading the morning paper. The lead
ing social news was the unexpected
and hasty marriage of the beautiful
widow, Mrs. McTavish to well.
known capitalist the day before. The
connie had roma tn Eurnpa far n :, IN,