Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-22


she took it,
81 have done so, and l have asked
Mrs Dallas Also" replied Jen; but IL
seems that Dido wasn't out OF the
house on that night She was ill-and,
oddly enough, l hear, Etwald, that 1t
was you who made her i'll"
Really" said Etwald, quite self
possessed. 81 suppose, Mr.. Almeyer
told you so. l thought as much" he
continued, as Jen nodded. HE saw
me calming Didos agitation when l ar
rived to ask Mrs. Dallas for her daugh-
ters hand. This negress is hysterical
and on that day she happened to be so.
l quietened her, yet Mr.. Almyer ac-
cuses me of having caused her illness. i"
81 don't know anything about 1t, Et-
valid; but truth to tell, Maurice does
not like you!"
Because I prophesied i'll concerning
HIM"
ooh, that was rubbish" said Jen,
contemptuously. you didn't meant
it,"
Didn't I! Walt and see!"
After which Etwald bowed his visi-
tor politely to the door of the gloomy
old house which he occupied in Dean
minister, and Jen returned home, quite
baffed as to what could have become or
the devil-stick All his inquiries prov
ed futile, and he was unable even to
conjecture how it had disappeared; yet
knowing its fatal qualities, he was in
constant dread lest it should re-appear
! in connection with tragedy. Maurice
still held to his idea that Dido had TAX
en- the wand but Jen's inquiries proved
that the negress had not been out OF
| the house on the night in question.
"Then it must have been Battersea!"
| said Maurice decidedly. HE is friend
of Dido's, and a pensioner Of 1sabella's.
| I'll find out if he stole the stick for the
negress or for DR.. Etwald.
This was easier said than done, as
| Mrs. Dallas would not allow Maurice
to set foot In the house. Still Maurice
hoped to learn the truth from the
| tramp himself, a hope that proved fu-
! tile also. Battersea had gone on one
! of his begging excursions, and for quite
! a week was not seen in the neighbor-
hood of "Ashantee." Then he sudden
" made his appearance at the house,
]
led into the hall, Almyer came out 10
speak with him, and after few words
he took the old man into the library.
len. who was rather curious to know
what Maurice might learn from the
disreputable old scamp, waited patient
Nv for the termination of the interview.
AS Almyer did not re-appear, he sought
the library, and found the young man
alone.
glancing round.
ooh, he has gone away
"What did he wish to see you
about?"
"He heard that 1 accused him of tax
ing the devil-stick," explained Maurice,
and came here to eXculpate himself
"Xyelu And did he do sou
Eyes. he is quite innocent. lie did,
MT take the devil-stick.'
"Then who did?'
Maurice paused, reflected, and look
ed anXiously at Jen.
"PT tell you that tomorrow, ne
said, after pause.
"Why not tonight" asked Jen,
sharply. hitch
Because J bake -fprs ssJtga4Rgl 9Barterssea
! gave me hint, upon which am de-
termined to work. Tonight l may
learn the truth
From whom?"
Don't ask me, Uncle Jen; l can
answer you yet.
Jen frowned, then laughed.
"Well, just as you please" he said,
raising his eyebrows, "but you are as
mysterious as David"
"Why, what about David?"
"Only this, that he has gone up to
town without bidding me goodbye,
save in this short note. can't under
stand such conduct"
Nor l." said Maurice, stretching out
his hand please let me read the
note, Uncle Jen. / wish to see pre-
| cisely how it is worded'
The note which the Major handed
over was curt to the verge Of rude
ness. 1t merely stated that the writer
had gone to London for a couple or
! days on business, and would be back
| as soon as possible. No explanation
Of what the business might be was
! given. Maurice did not wonder that
! Jen was annoyed at receiving such
missive from one whom he regarded
in the light of a son; but in handing it
! back to the Major he excused the
writer
THE fact is David has not been quite
| himself since this trouble about Is
abella," he said gravely, land he thinks
it best to go away for a time. You
know how he tortures himself over
tri1es."
"Egad, this love business Of you two
young men is getting to be anything
but a trifle," said Jen, testify. What
between the lot of you and Etwald,
there seems to be nothing but trouble.
| wish you'd marry the girl, Maurice,
and have done with it"
Perhaps | may settle affairs sooner
than you think" said Almyer rising.
Uncle Jen, | won't be back TO dinner
tonight. as l have to go into Dean
minister"
What about?"
Business connected with the devil
stick and Isabella"
HIN. You are pleased to be mys-
FERROUS. Why not tell me your bust
ness?"
Because 1 may fail" said Maurica.
Here, Uncle Jen, don't be cross; III
tell you all about it tomorrow, and
then you will see and approve Of my
silence tonight"
well" said Jen, with a shrug, you
are old enough 10 guide your own
actions. But | must say that l don't
like to be shut out Of the confidence
of my two boys in this way"
You'll know everything tomor-
row"
About David also?"
..pnrhnns can even nrnmisa Won