Year: 1873

I y
it down." I replied, and it never
occurred to me how imprudent ]
was.


He turned the conversation into
other channels, and did not once at
tempt to pump me farther. We got
to Grafton at half past ten, and tc
my great surprise he announced
that he was to stop in that town or
business for a few days: l had not
asked his name or avocation, while
he knew everything about me.


We went to the hotel had dinner
and then l secured a livery team
and drove out, getting through with
the business so soon that l was
back to take the 2:30 express east
My friend was on the porch of the
hotel when l drove up, carrying the
same honest .digniied face.


"Wcll, did you find ont" he in
quircd in his honest pleasant way.


"Yes, it is on tie 18th, as l ex-
pected," replied.


We had lunch together, and when
we shook hands and parted, l had
no more idea of seeing him again
than l have of knowing you. In
fact, he told me that he should sail
tor England in week or ten days,
and should not return to America
At parting he gave me his card. 1,
was a modest piece of pasteboard,
and bore the name of "Geo. Ra.
leigh" in old English script.
Everything at the Office went on
as usual land the 18th came at length.
Law & Law arranged for me to go
down with the money, and l looked
upon it as business of no special
Importance.


"We know you're all right re-
marked the senior partner, as 1 was
about to go; "but l want to give
you word Of warning nevcrthe-
less. Don't take any stranger into
your confidence until you have pass
ed out the money, and look out who
sits next to you."


1t was something new for him to
caution. me, and l could not but
wonder at it; but in the hustle of
getting on board the train l forgot
what he said. Ordinary prudence
had induced me to place the money,
which was all in bank bills, and di-
vlded into three packages, under
my shirt and next my skin, where
the deft hand Of pickpocket could
not reach it.


Interested in newspaper, time
flew by as the train flew west, and
at length the hoarse voice of the
brakeman warned me that l had
reached Grafton. l had leaped
down and was making my way to
the livery stable when l heard a fa-
miliar voice, and looked up to see
Raleigh. He was seated in bug
gy, and had seemingly waited for
me to come ur.


"Don't express your SURPRISE he
said, as I stopped at the wheel. ~
did intend to go away, but l chang
cd my mind, and I like this section
so well that Pm going out to-day to
look at 4 farm with a view Of pur-
chasing. Come, ride up to the ho-
tel.


We rode up, ordered alunch, and
while we were discussing it DR..
Raleigh discovered that the farm
he was going to see was just be-
yond old Scrip's.


How fortunate, could 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 got into the bug
gy that Geo. Raleigh meant to re-
turn with my money in his pocket
and my blood upon his hands, l
should have believed him luna
tic. And yet Geo.. Raleigh had
planned to do that very thing.
1t was a lovely day in June, and
the cool breeze and the sight of
meadows and green groves made my
heart grow larger. My companion
was very talkative but he didn't
even hint at my errand.


ooh! excuse me-" he exclaimed,
after we had passed mile or so be-
yond the village, 81 should have
handed you this before.'


He drew from his pocket small
flask of wine and handed it to me.
Now, l was temperate in regard to
drinks. In fact detested the sight
and smell of anything intoxicating
But had not the moral courage to
tell him so and hand it back undis-
turbed. l feared to offend him, and
so l drank, perhaps, three good
swallows. He called my attention
to the woods OH the left, as he re-
cciycd back the flask, and when l
looked around again he was just re-
moving it from his mouth as if he
had drank heartily.


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


allow strangc! why, l believe l
am going to be sick!" l exclaimed,
holding on to the seat with all my
might.


"You do look strange" he replied,
a sncaky smile stealing over his
face. 81 shouldn't wonder if it were
apoplexy."


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


"You are bad off," he continued,
looking into my face. 81 will drive
as fast as possible and get a doctor. ?"


My tongue was so heavy that
could not reply. l clutched the
seat, shut my eyes, and he put fhe
horse at his best pace. We passed
farmers team, and l can remem-
Der that one of the occupants called
out to know what allied me. Raleigh
did not reply, but urged the horse
forward.