Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1897-08-15
CHAPTER VIA STRANGE &C
OCCURRENCE.

OCCURRENCE.
Maurice returned home after some
what stormy interview with Mrs. Dal-
las. For once the mother OF Isabella
was reused out of her habitual indlner-
ence. and she refused absolutely 10 ac-
cent Alymer as her son-in-law. III
vain the lovers implored her to give
some reason for her strange rstusal'
but beyond expressing personal us
like for Maurice she declined 10 explain
her conduct. The young man saw III
this uncalled-for behavior the hOstIle
influence OF Dido. -.
eft is because that black woman DIS
trusts me that you object he SAID.
when Mrs. Dallas had talked hersen
boarse. Il wonder that an EngIsh
lady a Christian and an educated per-
SON should be dominated by that I'M
civilized creature.
"Dido has nothing to do with my re-
frsal," said the widow, coldly; and
although take her advice IN some
things do not in this. l don't WISH
Isabella to marry you, and request
YOU to leave my house
"Mother!" cried Isabella, with pare
face -
and never come back to it again.
finished Mrs. Dallas, sharply.
Maurice went TO the WINDOW OIL tne
room. which opened on the veranua'
and put on his hat.
GAS a gentleman, must accep' your
dismissal, he said, quietly OuI ue-
cline to give up Isabella:
"And l." cried the girl, swear 10 re-
main true to Maurice! -,
you'll do nothing Of the sort, sara
her mother, violently. Il torolu you
even to think of that young man. YOU
shall marry whom l choose.
OR. Etwald, I SUPPOSE
"NQ, Mr.. SalrbX,..~,.-.'...,...oe, ~ an
.,,.l.e.'i.sl t9nc. You wish Isabella
to marry him."
Eyes. He loves Isabella much more
than you do, and he asked permission
which you didn't-to pay his ad-
dresses to her. I consented, and so"
Mrs. Dallas raised her voice, ''he will
marry her"
81 refuse to marry Mr.. Sarby," said
Isabella, vehemently. Il hate him.
That's no matter" replied her
mother, coldly. you must marry
him"
MUST" repeated Maurice, with
great indignation.
Yes, Mr.. Alymer. Must Must!
Must! If you want an explanation Of
that you can ask (Here Mrs. Dallas
paused with a strange smile, and add
ed slowly Major Jen."
"The Major! My guardian!" cried
Alymer, quite thunderstruck. as he
against me?"
ASK HIM" .Ss-;'--
81 don't believe it."
ASK him." repeated Mrs Dallas.
Nor l." said Isabella. "The Major
is a kind man and he wants to see me
happy. lie is"
"That is enough" interrupted Mrs.
Dallas, rising in a cold fury. 81 want
no further speeches from you. Go to
your room, Isabella. Mr.. Alymer,
your way lies yonder." and with
swift gesture she pointed to the win
dow.
Resigning himself to the inevitable,
Maurice gave one glance at Isabella
and went outside with heavy heart.
Dido was standing upon the yeranda,
with her eyes glowing like two Goals.
Yet there was an ill-concealed express
sion Of triumph in her gaze. which
Maurice, in his then disturbed and an
gered state Of mind, could Ill brook.
He paused abruptly as he passed her,
and asked a direct question.
why do you hate me, Dido?"
The negress glared savagely ct
him.
"Voodoo," said she in harsh voice.
What do you mean by that jargon?"
he demanded in angry tones.
"Voodool" said Dido again, and show
ed her teeth in anything but pleasant
fashion.
Bah. you black parrot" muttered
Maurice, scornfully, and he turned
upon his heel. AS he vanished down
the walk Dido clapped her hands to-
gether with great satisfaction, and be-
gan to sing in low tones. Her song
was barbaric in words, and strange be-
yond all telling in the music. II rose
and fell, and moaned and drawled in
curiously painful manner. In the
Mrs. Dallas had risen TO
her feet at the first deep contralto note.
and now stood rocking herself to and
fro with an expression Of alarm on her
face. Isabella was terrified in her
turn by Dido's song and her mothers
strange conduct, though by this time
she should have been used to these &c
centricities.
Mother. what is it? What does
Dido sing?"
Mrs. Dallas, closing her eyes, con-
tinued rocking herself to and fro, say |
ing but one word in answer.
"Voodoo!" she said, and that was all. !
But it was enough for Isabella. She !
and ran out Of the room. |
Then Dido, still singing. appeared at !
the window, and looked at Mrs. Dallas |
with an expression Of triumph.
why do you sing the death song?"
asked Mrs. Dallas, opening her eyes.
"Be cause de master hab doomed dat |
said Dido, and continued
her song.
In the meantime, Maurice walked |
slowly homeward, pulling out in his |
own mind, as to what could be the /!
Of these strange things. He |!
could not see why Mrs. Dallas objected |