Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-10

already related, nothing new took place
likely to alter the situation. Maurice
and David remained coldly polite, and
very watchful of one another; neither
mentioned the name Of Isabella, nor
did the one or the other see the girl.
Mrs. Dallas took care of that. Acting,
no doubt, under the advice Of Dido
she kept Isabella within doors and re-
fused to allow her to communicate
with Maurice But, on the other hand,
she did not force her to see David;
and Isabella was thankful for the con-
sideration.
But there was one visitor to The
Wigwam whom Isabella would gladly
have avoided-no less an individual
than Dr. EtwaId After the violent
scene with Maurice, the widow so
overtaxed her strength that she be-
came i'll, and the doctor was sent for.
His mere presence appeared to sooth
Mrs. Dallas, and he came frequently.
When she could, Isabella absented her
self; but this she was not able to do
on all occasions, and so she had to
endure his complimentary speeches
and the mesmeric quality Of his gaze.
This last, especially, was a trial to one
Of her sensitive organization, and one
day she felt so uncomfortable that she
demonstrated with EtWald.
You make me afraid doctor" she
said, impetuously. Your gaze is dis
agreeable to me"
My dear young lady" replied the
man, blankly, Il must look at you
when I address you"
Then don't address mel"
Isabella, do not be rude!" cried
Mrs. Dallas, who had overheard this
passage of arms; whereupon the girl,
with a defiant glance at her tormentor,
left the room.
I'm sure I don't know what I'll do
with Isabella" sighed Mrs. Dallas;
she is getting so disobedient."
Perhaps I can assist you"
Mrs. Dallas looked uneasily at her
medical attendant.
No" she said, quietly. Il may per-
suade her into doing what I want"
Which is to marry Mr.. David Sar-
by" said Etwald, coolly. In that case
1 can only hope that the young lady
will continue obstinate, as I wish to
marry her myself"
Z know know! But I don't want
her to marry you, doctor. Mr.. Sarby
is the man for my daughter. He is
good-looking and clever and"
And poOr." finished Etwald
well, yes" assented Mrs. Dallas.
there is that objection. But it is not
much of an obstacle, as Isabella has
money. The young couple can live on
three thousand a year"
DR.. Etwald went home with this sum
running in his head, and more than
ever he resolved to marry Isabella. He
was in love with her, and would have
taken her without a penny; all the
same, if she was an heiress in a small
way, it was all the better The doc
tor was clever but poor, and with an
income like that he could move to the
metropolis and do great things. There
were many schemes in Etwald's head,
and certain of these he determined to
put into execution at once in order
to secure Isabella for his wife
Some time previously Major Jen had
asked Etwald about the devil-stick,
but only to be informed that the doc
tor knew nothing of the missing ar
ticle.
I have not set eyes on it since that
night you showed it to me-" declared
Etwald, cooIly You refused to sell
it to me, so of course [ gave up all
idea of possessing it. All the same
finished he, politely, Il am sorry that
it is lost"
Lost! Stolen, you mean" growIed
Jen, tartly. That negress-"
Dido! Well, I admit that such a
barbaric treasure would tempt her the
more particularly as she knows about
such wizard instruments. Ask her if
she took it,"
I have done so, and I have asked
Mrs. Dallas Also replied Jen; "'but ii
seems that Dido wasn't out of the
house that night. She was ilI-and
oddly enough, I hear, Etwald, that it
was you who made her ILL"
Really" said Etwald, quite self
possessed. I suppose Mr.. Aylmer told
YOU so. I thought as much" he con
tinued, as Jen nodded He saw me
calming Dido's agitation when I ar
rived to ask Mrs. Dallas for her
daughters hand. This negress is hys-
terical. and on that day she happened
10 be so. 1 quoted her, yet Mr.. AyI-
mer accuses me of having caused her
illness"
Il don't know anything about it, Ell
wal6; but truth to tell, Maurice does
not like you'll"
Because I prophesied i'll concerning
him."
oh. that was rubbish" said Jen
contemptuousIy. You didn't mean it,
Didn't l. Wait and sect"
After which Etwald bowed his Wis
itor politely to the door of the gloomy
old house which he occupied in Dean
minister, and Jen returned home, quite
bafled as to what could have become
of the deviI-stick. Maurice still held
TO his idea that Dido had taken 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 2
friend of Dido's and pensioner OF
Isabella's. III find cut if he stole the
stick for the negress or for DR.. Ell
valid"
rms 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
or his begging excursions, and fol
quite week was not seen in the
neighoorhood of 'Ashantee." Then he
suddenly made his appearance at the
house, and asked to see Maurice. or
being led into the hall, Aylmer came
out to speak with him. and after a few
words he took the old man into tn,
library. Jen, who was rather curiou:
to know what Maurice might learr
from the disreputabIe old scamp. wait.
ed patiently for the termination of tn,
interview. AS Aylmer did not reap
pear, he sought the library, and fount
the young man alone.
Where is Battersea ?" asked len
glancing round. What did he wish t
see you about?"
He heard that I accused him o
| taking the devil-stick,'' explained Mau
rice, and came here to exculpate him
self. He is quite innocent. He didn'
| take the devil-stick."