Year: 1873

pumped all this out of me IN ten min
utes, and yet 1 never once suspected
that he was receiving information.


''I am not positive, " added, but I
am pretty sure the time is the 18th
which would be Tuesday next.


"And then your folks will send down
the money and discharge the mortgage,
of course ?'' he inquired.


ssOh, yes, I should most likely bring
it down. replied, and it never oc-
Cured to me how imprudent was.


He turned the conversation into other
channels, and did not once attempt to
pump me further. We got to Grafton
at 1870, and to my great surprise he an
nounced that he was to stop in the town
on business for few days. I had not
asked his name or avocation, while he
knew everything about me.


We went to the hotel, had dinner, and
then secured lively team and drove
out, getting through with the business
so that was back to take the 2:30 ex-
press east. My friend was on the porch
of the hotel as I drove up, carrying that
same honest, dignified face.


"Well, did you find out 2" he inquired
in his pleasant way.


eyes; it is on the 18th, as I expect
ed," replied.


We had lunch together, and when we
shook hands and parted, I had no more
idea of seeing him again than L have of
knowing you. In fact he told me that
he should sail for England in week OF
ten days, and should not return to
America. At parting he gave me his
card. It was a modest piece of paste
board, and bore the name of George
Raleigh, - in old English scrip.


Everything at the Office went on as
usual, and the 18th came at length.
Law & Law had arranged for me to go
down with the money, and I looked
upon it as business of no special i'm
portance.


"We know you are all right" re-
marked the senior partner, as was
about to go; i" but want to give you
word of warning, nevertheless. Don't
take any stranger into your confidence
until you have passed out the money,
and look out who sits next to you.


It was something new for him to eau
ton me, and could not but wonder at
it but in the hustle of getting on board
the train I forgot what he said. Ordi
nary prudence had induced me to place
the money, which was all in bank bills,
and divided into three packages, under
my shirt, and next to my skin, where
the deft hand of pickpocket could not
reach it.


Interested in a newspaper, time few
by, as the train few west, and at length
the hoarse voice of the brakeman warned
me that I had reached Grafton. 1 had
leaped down and was making my way to
the livery stable, when I heard a familiar
voice, and looked up to see Raleigh. He
was seated in buggy, and had seemingly
waited for me to come up.


GO hn
began, as stopped at the wheel. "I
did intend to go away, but I changed
my mind, and I like this section so well
that am going out to-day to look at a
farm, with a view of purchasing. 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 old Scrip's.


How fortunatel Icould ride out with
him, see the farm, and return in his
company, and he would be greatly
pleased


was also pleased. If any one 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, 1 should have believed
him lunatic. And yet George Raleigh
had planned to do that very same thing.


It was lovely day in June, and the
cool breeze and the sight of meadows
and green groves made my heart grow
LARGER. NV companion was very talk
ative, but he didn't even hint at my
errand.


"Oh excuse me, I" he exclaimed, after
we had passed mile or so beyond the
village, and were among the farm-houses.
" / should have offered you this before. +"


He drew from his pocket small flask
of wine and handed it to me. Now, was
temperate in regard to drinks. In fact
I detested the sight and smell of any
thing Intoxicating. But I had not the
moral courage to tell him so and hand
back the flask undisturbed. / feared to
offend him, and SO I drank, perhaps,
three good swallows. He called my at
tention to the woods on the left as he re-
ceived back the flask, and when looked
around again he was just removing it
from his mouth as if he had drank
heartily.


In about five minutes I began to feel
queer. The fences along the road seemed
to grow higher and the trees to grow
larger; something got into my ears sc
that the rattle of the buggy sounded g
long wav off.


dOW SuIduS0! Why3 1 OCI0NO t11A
going to be sick l'' I exclaimed, holding
on to the seat with all my might.


You do look strange" he replied, 9
shaky smile stealing over his face. &c
shouldn't wonder if it was apoplexy."


I did not suspect the game he had
played. His words were like an echo
and his face seemed twice as large as il
usually was. My head began to spin
and my brain to snap and crack, and
was greatly frightened.


You are bad off," he continued
looking into my face. 9'I will drive al
fast as possible, and get DOCTOR


My tongue was SO heavy that I coult
not reply. clutched the seat, shut m,
eyes, and he put the horse at his bes
pace. We met farmers team, and
can remember that one of the occupant
of the wagon called out to know wha
allied me. Raleigh did not reply, bu
urged the horse forward.


About three miles from Grafton was
long stretch of forest, and this we 500
reached. The pain in my head was no
so violent, and 1 was not so badly afecte
when opening my eyes. I had settle
into sort of dumb stupor, with brai
Sc benumbed that had to say to myself


"this is tree, that is q stump" etc.


before I could make sure that L was nc


wrong. Half mile down the road afte


we struck the forest, and then Raleig