Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-02-25

maps she knows enough to fill the bag
with fresh poison. If she did so, l
wouldn't trust myself near her. She
would be sure to experiment on me-"
AT this m Major Jen, looking
slightly worried. entered the room, and
seeing the devil-stick in the hand Of
Maurice, he stopped short with an
ejaculation of surprise.
You are looking at that thing, Maui
rice?" said he, wonderingly. Now
that is strange. I have just been talk
ing about it with DR.. Etwald."
Obi" said Maurice, his thoughts
flying back to the mysterious influence
which he had seen Etwald exercise
over Dido. And what was the doctor
saying?"
"A great deal. He saw the devil
stick the. other night, and to-day he
sent a note. asking if l would ride
over and see him this afternoon. 1
did so, then he explained that he wish
ed to buy that thing!"
The deVil-stick? Why?"
Il can't say. He explained that he
had been in the Barbadoes; and that
he took a great interest in the subject
of African fetish worship. He had
heard of these 'wands of Sleep as they
are called, and greatly wished to OBJ
tain one, but he was unable to do 80.
Since seeing mine he has been seized
with a desire to possess it
"Why?" said Maurice, again.
"A a curiosity, I I've told
you all he told me. But l refused to
sell it to him, and he seemed greatly
vexed. a display of tat which in
its turn vexed me. 1 was quite al
noyed when I left him."
.IEhv don't 1-n,, ,u;,h- .oI, - -
Gle Jen?'
Because it is a dangerous thing to
handle. Although the poison is dried
up yet there may be enough in it to
kill a man. If parted with it and
anyone was injured by it, I should
forgive myself. Pray put it up,
Maurice; l dislike to see you touch it.
Tonight, after dinner, 1 shall lock it
up in a safe place. David is right; it
should not be on the wall there
"David has gone over to see Meg"
Yes. I don't mir he will be back
until after dinner said Jen, rising.
so o and l had better sit down as
soon as we are dressed. 1 am very
hungry"
Uncle Jen. I want to ask you some
thing. Do you wish David to marry
Isabella Dallas ?'
Il really can't say. That is a matter
which lies in the hands of the girl her
self. If she likes you better than Da-
i'd"
She does!"
What! Have o spoken to herr"
Il have, and to Mrs. Dallas, who de-
clines to sanction our engagement. She
wants Isabella to marry David, and
said"
Il can guess what she said" inter-
ruppted Jen, hastily. mo more of this
till after dinner, my dear lad. Then
I'll explain ALL"
Explain what?"
why Mrs. Dallas wants Isabella to
marry David" Not another word
would the Major say on the sub
iect at that moment. so Maurice was
forced to seek his room in a very nm
satisfied frame of mind. However. as
he thought. here was one mystery
about to be explained, and that was a
comfort. AS Jen prophesied, David
did not return to dinner, and Maurice
had a tete-a-tete with his guardian.
But they talked of Indifferent things.
and 1t was not until they were once
more in the s~moking-room that the
Major consented to speak on the sub
ject of Mrs. Dallas strange conduct.
Now. my boy, I'm ready to tell
- Here Jen stopped and looked
blankly at the wall.
THE stick!" gasped Jen, pointing a
shaking hand at the wall. THE death
wand!"
Maurice looked-the devil stick was
gone!
CHAPTER VII.
For some moments the two men
looked at one another; and then Ma
jor Jen, seeing the necessity for
prompt action, rang the bell. Jaepard
entered with military swiftness. and
stared blankly at his master, who was
pointing ut the wall.
Where is the devil stick p. demand
ed Jen. wrathfully.
Jaggard advanced to the trophy Of
weapons. and examined them with
some elaboration, after which he
turned to face the irate Major.
IT'S gone. sure enough. sir, but I
don't know where"
Find out If any Of the servants have
taken it."
Jaggard saluted and vanished, while
his master walked up and down the
room. tuning at the loss Of the curl
osity. In a few minutes Jaggard re-
turned with the news that none OF the
servants had beer In the smoking
room that evening.
Who lighted the lamp" demanded
| Jen, sharply.
we found the window open when
we came n" said Maurice. "Did you
open it?"
Yes. sir. The Major told me to al
ways air the room during dinner"
DO o think that someone has sto-
len the stick. Maurice ?" said the Ma
jor. Someone from outside, I mean
I am sure of it," replied Alymer.
with decision. "Jaggard, die you no.
tice that negress of Mrs. Dallas about
the grounds. since 5 o'clock?"
why. no, Mr.. Maurice. / can't say
us I did"
The tramp. then; Battersea!"
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 h 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 II suspect Dido. the .negress."
Why asked Jen, with military
brevity.