Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-15


to him as a son-in-law nor could ne
surmise the meaning of the mysterious
word "Voodoo." pronounced so signih-
cantlv by Dido. However, he sd"
plainIv that the negress was the dls-
turbing element in the Dallas house
hold. and by a half-hypnotic control
over the weak will of her mistress. she
could act as she pleased. The WIDOW
had been born and brought up IN ths
Barbadoes. She was half-educateu
woman of feeble intellect: and having
been left, during tie time her mlhu
and and character were being lorh!eu'
solely to the society of black servants
she had imbibed-not unnaturaily
many of the debased supersttlons Oh
Africa. Dido knew this, and by means
OF her claims to a knowledge OF ODl'
she was enabled to rule Mrs. Dalias'
and. also. as has been stated, TO eHel-
else q powerful influence Over the pias-
tic mind of Isabella.
But III spoil her designs IN that quar-
ter" muttered Maurice as his thoughts
led him 10 this conclusion. Isabella shal
not he dragged down 20 the level OF her
mother. I shall marry her. and so de-
strov the influence of that vile negress'
This was easier said than done az
Maurice. simple and upright In conduct
and character. was no match TOT the un-
scrunulous Vaccinations OF DIDO. she
batad the Young man. and was deter
mined that nc should not marry her
,,,~sl,no Rut whether she had, like Or.
DALLAS q preference for David over Dr.
Etv.aId Maurice could not determine II =
more he thought over affairs, the more
incoberent and complicated did they pc
come. so Alymer gave up the task In de-
spair. Then It occurred to him that Mrs'
Dallas had referred him to MAJOR Jen'
so to his guardian Maurice went the mo
,----.-- tho hic hr 'se Rut 10
his surprise the Major was not 10 bs
found
Major gone out, sir" explained Jag
gard. to whom Maurice applied for infor-
nation. He got a message from DR..
Etwald. and went to see him. BE back
to dinner, sir, ] blieve."
"Where is Mr.. Sarby?'
Gone over to Brance Hall. sir"
"Ho. how thought Maurice. as he turn
ed away. so David has gone to see
Lady Meg and the Countess Now II he
is In love with Isabella, and Mrs. Dallas
favors his suit, wonder why he acts In
that way"
The question he could not answer, so
dlsmissing II from his memory, he retired
to the smoking-rom with a pipe and n
novel. When Jen and David returned he
intended to question both. and, II pos
sible get to the bottom Of these thicken-
ing histories.
Hang it, sollloquised Maurice over hts
book: since yesterday everything seems
to have gone wrong. That negress and
DR.. Etwald are at the bottom OF affairs.
But I can't see their reasons for mixing
up things So"
Then he laid aside HIS book to think. and
through the smoke curling from his pipe,
he stared idly at the opposite wall. II
CHANGED to be that upon which the bar
barrie weapons before alluded 10 were ar
ranged. and conspicuous among them
glittered the handle OF the devil-stlck.
Recalling the mention OF Voodoo. and Et-
walds reference 20 African witch-craft,
Maurice connected IN his own mind the
devil-stick with those barbarisms. and on
the impulse Of the moment he rose to ex-
anime the magic wand. Handling II
carefully-for he dreaded the poison, al
though 1t was said TO be dried up-he won
dered II Dido could make use Of It were
1t in her possession.
81 heard Mrs. Dallas say that Ddo's
people came from Ashantee." sololiquised
Maurice. so I have no doubt she can
work the Internal thing. Perhaps she
knows enough 10 fill the bag with fresh
poison. II she did so. I wouldn't trust
myself near her. She would be sure TO ex-
pertinent on me"
At this moment Major Jen. looking
slightly worried entered the room. and
seeing the devil-stick IN the hand Of
Maurice. he stopped short with an ejacu-
lation OF surprise.
you are looking AT that thing. Maur-
ice?" said he. wonderingly. Now that is
why should It be stranger"
Because 1 have just been talking
about II with DR.. Etwaid."
ooh" said Maurice. his thoughts fly
ing back 10 the mysterious influence
which he had seen Etwald exercise over
Dido. And what was the doctor say
lng?''
Major Jen threw himself into chair.
and frowned.
"A great deal He saw the devn-stick
the other night"
Last night
yes. last night; and to-day he sent a
note. asking II would ride over and see
him this afternoon. did so and he then
explained that he wished 10 buy that
thing"
"The devIl-stick? Why"
Il can't say. He explained that he had |
been in the Barbados: and that he took |
4 great interest in the subject of African |
fetish worship. lie had heard Of these !
wands OF sleep as they are called. and |
greatly wished 10 obtain one. but he was |
unable TO do so. Since seeing mine he !
has been seized with a desire TO possess 1
L"
Why" said Maurice again.
las a curiosity. I suppose I've told /
you all he told me. But ! refused to sell |
{ to him, and he seemed greatly vexed.
L display Of Irritation which in IT'S turn
Texed me. I was quite annoyed when I
1