Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-07

who lighted the lamp?" demanded
Jen, sharply
I'VE found the window open when
we came in" said Maurice. did you
open it?"
Yes sir. The Major told me to all
ways air the room during dinner"
do you think that someone has sto-
len the stick, Maurice?" said the Ma
jor Someone from outside, mean"
Il am sure of it," replied Alymer,
with decision. "Jaggard, did you mo-
tice that negress OF Mrs. Dallas about
the grounds, since 5 o'clock"
why, no, Mr.. Maurice, l can't say
as did"
THE tramp. then; Batterseal"
No, sir. Haven't set eyes on him
for a week"
Very good, Jaggard," broke In the
Major you can go. Maurice!" he
turned to the young man when Jag
gard had left the room, what do you
mean by all these questions and ex-
aminations? Do you suspect anyone ?"
Yes" replied Maurice, deliberate
ly Il suspect Dido, the negress."
'Why?" asked Jen, with military
brevity.
It's a long story" returned Mau-
rice. Look here Uncle Jen, went to
dress at half-past six; you did also.
When we left the stick was in the
room on the wall. Now we are here
again at half-past eight; 1t is gone.
In these two hours Dido has had time
to cross the lawn yonder and steal it."
was never in this room"
mo, but Dr. Etwald was"
''Dr. Etwald Do you think he has
anything to do with it?" queried Jen.
perplexed and trifie startled
Il am certain of It," replied Mau-
rice. He employed Dido to steal 1t
from you, as you refused to sell It.
Listen, uncle, and I'll give you my
reasons for this belief" and then Maui
rice told succinctly all that had taken
place at The Wigwam" during the
afternoon.
Major Jen listened quietly and wait
ed until Maurice ended his story be-
fore he spoke. The information about
Mrs. Dallas and her reference to him
self did not surprise him so much as
Aylmer expected 1t would do In fact,
he only made one brief remark upon
this point.
Il am sorry Mrs. Dallas said that"
he remarked, when Maurice paused in
his narrative.
But what does she mean by it,
Uncle Jen? Didn't you wish me to
marry Isabella?"
Il am neither for nor against" re-
piled Jen, enigmatically. "As I said
before, let the girl marry whom she
loves best"
"She loves me besti"
Major Jen wriggled uneasily in his
seat He disliked telling what appear
ed to him to be a silly story, but as
such story bore strongly upon the
present position Of things, and as Mau-
rice was impatiently waiting to be en-
lightened, Jen was forced to put his
scruples on one side and speak out.
IF what relate appears impossible,
don't blame me-" he said abruptly,
and feel certain that you will laugh
when I tell you about Voodoo!"
That word again!" cried Maurice.
in puzzled voice. Dido used it when
we met Etwald; she repeated it to me
before l left. Voodoo! Voodoo What
does 1t mean, Uncle Jen?"
African witchcraft! Obi Fetish
worship! The alteration of the bad
spirit who catches mortals by the hair
Any one of these things explains the
meaning of the term"
HIM" said Maurice. TT is a devil
worship pure and simple"
Yes, and Mrs. Dallas knows more
about it than is good for her My boy"
Jen laid his hand upon the arm of the
young man, when you reach my age
you will find that there is no limit to
the credulity and folly of human be-
ings. When / was stationed in the
Barbadoes many years ago met Mrs
Dallas"
"ohl so she is an old friend OF
yours"
YES. I knew her in the West In
dies shortly before Isabella was born
1t was through knowing me-" explain
ed the Major, that she came to this
neighborhood and rented The Wig
wan You see, Maurice, l was one OF
the few people she knew here, and she
remained near me for company's sake
and because she was afraid of her
self"
Il don't quite understand"
Ito be continued)