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

CEFE ana LELl6u IALESs ANsN 9-AN -%~~~@
repeated TO he granddaughter DIDO !
with the result that Dido, eherlshlng }
these recOllectiOns, knew exactly now
TO use the wand Of sleep. she had
spoken about it to DR.. Etwald, quite
ignorant that Jen kept one as curl
osity. and now Etwald had intimated
through Battersea that he wished her
to do something in connection with the
stick. What the something might be,
Dido, at the present moment, CSlld
not guess.
She had exerted her magnetic and
hypnotic influence over Battersea, not
that she wished for detailed descrip-
ton of the wand, for already she knew
its appearance, but because 1t might
happen that il would be necessary TO
use the tramp for certain purposes con-
nected with the discovery OF secrets.
Dido exercised a strong influence over
this weak old creature, partially on
account OF his half-negrO blood, and
partially because he had terrified his
feeble brain by her dark hints Of OBJ
worship.
Battersea was supposed to be a
Christian: but the barbaric fluid in his
veins inclined him 70 the terrible gro
tesQueness Of African witchcraft, and
Dido and her words stirred some dim
instinct in his mind. The negress saw
that accident had placed in her way a
helpless creature, who might be OF use
! in her necrOmantic business; therefore
/ by hypnouzing him once or twice, she
cOntrived 10 keep him within her power.
All Of which fantasy would have been
denied by the average British news
paper reader. who cannot imagine such
things taking place in what he calls
/ euphOniOusly a Christian land. But
this happened, for all this denial.
Having dismissed Battersea, the ne
/ greSs turned TO seek Isabella. She
was so devoted to her nursing, that
( she could hardly bear to be away from
/ her; and since her infancy Isabella had
scarcely been absent an hour from her
/ strange attendant. The girl had gone
J out into the drawing room, where Mrs.
/ Dallas was still sleeping; and there,
I relieved for the moment from the pry-
( ing eyes of the negreSS, she took letter
out Of her pocket. Ii was from Maurice,
stating that he was coming to see her
that afternoon at three O'Clock, as he
| had something particular TO say.
Ii was now close upon the hour, and
, Isabella VS. wondering how she could
get rid of Dido, whom she did not wish
TO be present at the coming interview.
The Unborn jealousy of the woman
| and her advocacy OF DR.. Etwald's suit,
made her an unpleasant third at such
meeting. Moreover, Maurice instinct
lively disliked this sUllen creature, and
was never quite easy in her presence.
Finally, Isabella decided to slip
/ round by the hacl-OtI&E, haf55+ervrsed
I about the devil-stick on the veranda.
So, after a glance to assure herself that
/ the PAIR were in earnest conversation,
I Isabella put on a straw hat and ran
lightly away TO see her lover. She
/ passed out by side door, danced like
a fairy across the intervening space
OF lawn, and slipped laughingly into
the narrow path which wound through
the wood 10 the avenue near the gates
Just as she emerged into the open,
/ she heard a sharp click, and saw Maui
/ rice approaching. He was dressed in
| his tiannels, and looked particularly
l handsome, she thought: the more so
/ when she beheld his face lighting I'D at
| her unexpected appearance. The mag
netlsm of love drew them irresistbly
I together, and in less time than it takes
to write, Isabella was lying on the
broad breast of her lover, and he was
fondly kissing her lips.
My own dear love- he murmured.
I softly. How good of you to meet me-"
Il came down here to escape Dido"
explained Isabella, slipping her hand
within his. You don't like her to be
with u.s."
Il don't like her in any case. my
darling. She is like a black shadow of
evil always at your heels. l must get
your mother TO forbid her trespassing
upon our meetings.
My dear Maurice. how can YOU pos
sibly do that, when you refuse to tell
my mother of our engagement"
"Oh, had a reason for keeping our
engagement secret, but it is no longer
necessary, and to-day-at this moment
Il am going straight to ask your moth
er to give me this dear hand in mar
riage. If she consents, we will soon get
rid of Dido"
But my mother may not consent"
said Isabella, q trifle nervOusly.
why not? I have a profession and
a small property. We love one another
dearly, so l don't see what grounds
she has for refusal"
Dido
Well Dido can do nothing" said
Maurice, in a testing tone, unless you
want her to forbid the banns."
"She may even be able to do that"
replied Isabella, seriously. My mother
is afraid Of her. and is often influenced
in her decisions by Dido"
"What. the black WITCH Bah! She
is only servant"
"She is something more than that in [
Barbados"
"Oh YOU mean that Obi rubbish. my
dearest said Maurice slipping his |
arm round the slender waist of the girl. /
1T is on that very account that /
wish 10 tell your mother Of our engage |
ment; for I must rescue you from the I
influence of that dark Jezebel. She is /
dangerous"
Il know she is; but she hates YOU" /
II don't care for her hate" replied |
Maurice. CareleSSly. 1T is a poor thing !
and cannot possibly harm me. But |
NN+- Nt-A e AtNN SAlC attempts u prevent {
our marriage. Surely Mrs. Dallas will |
not let herself be guided in so important |
a business by the will and feelings Of |
that black wench'
My mother is weak where Dido is I
concerned said Isabella, shaking her /
head
And so are YOU, my dear. responded /
Maurice, kissing her Both Of you are /
weak. and have yielded up your wills !