Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-03-10


for, and it only remained that each
should marry some charming girl. and
bring their families to gladden. an old
bachelors heart at "Ashantee" The
Major had many day dreams of this
sort; but, alasl they were destined
never to be fulfilled. Fate began her
work of casting into dire confusion the
hitherto placid lives of the two young
men,
Frequently the young barrister and
the soldier came to visit their guar
dian, for whom they both cherished
deep affection. On the occasion of
each visit Jen was accustomed to cell
ebrate their presence by a small festi-
val, to which he would ask two or
| three friends. With simple craft, the
old man would invite also pretty girls,
with their mothers; in the hope that
his lads might be lured into matri-
mony
The Major was a confirmed bache-
lor but he did not intend that his boys
should follow so bad an example. He
wished Maurice to marry Miss Isabella
Dallas, charming blonde from the
West Indies; and David he designed as
the husband of Meg Brance. But Jen
was mistaken in thinking that he could
guide the erratic affections OF youth,
as will hereafter be proved Sure
enough, the lads fell in love, but both
with the same woman-a state of
things not anticipated by the Major.
who was too simple to be a match
maker.
On this special occasion. however, no
ladies were present at the little dinner,
and besides Jen and his two boys, DIR.
Etwald was the only guest. About
this man with the strange name there
| is something to be said. He was tall,
he was thin. with a dark lean face,
and fiery, watchful dark eyes. For
three years he had been wasting his
talents in the neighboring town when
he should have been shouldering his
way above the crowd of mediocrities
in the metropolis. The man was dis
passionate, brilliant, and persevering;
he had in him the makings, not only of
a great physician, but of a great man;
and he was wasting his gifts in a dull
provincial town. No one knew who
Etwald was, or whence he came, or
why he wasted his talents, and such
secret past, which he declined to yield
UP to the most persistent questioner,
accentuated the distrust caused by his
somber looks and curt speeches. Pro-
vincial society Is intolerant of orfed-
nality
Etwald had become acquainted with
sJen professionally, and having cured
the Major of one of his frequent at
tacks of ague, he had passed from be-
ing a mere medical attendant into
closer relationship of a friend. The
boys had met him once or twice, but
neither Of them cared much for his
somber personality, and they were not
overpleased to find that the Major had
invited the man to meet them on the
occasion of this special dinner.
But Jen-good simple soul-was
rather taken with Etwald's mysticism,
and, moreover, pitied his loneliness.
Therefore he welcomed this intellec-
tual pariah to his house and board;
and on this fine June evening Etwald
was enjoying an excellent dinner in
the company of three cheerful compan-
ions.
Major Jen sustained the burden of
conversation. for Maurice was absent
minded, and David, physiognomically
incllned-was silently attempting to
read the inscrutable countenance OF
EtwaId. As for the latter, he sat with
his brilliant eyes steadily fixed upon
Maurice. The young man felt uneasy
under the mesmeric gaze of the doc
tor. and kept twisting and turning in
his seat Finally he broke out impa-
tiently IN the midst OF the MAJORS
babble. and asked Etwald q direct
question.
Does my face remind you Of any
one7" he demanded, rather sharply.
Yes. Mr.. Aylmeri" replied Etwald,
deliberately, 'it reminds me Of man
who diedl"
Dear mel" said Jen. with a sympa-
thetic look. Was he friend Of yours.
Doctor?"
Well. no. Major. can't say that he
was. In fact" added Etwald. with the
air OF a man making a simple state
ment, u hated him!"
7 hope you don't hate me7" said
Maurice, rather annoyed
NO. Mr.. Aiymer; I don't hate youl-
replied the doctor, IN e coloriess tone.
DO you believe In palmistry7" be
asked, suddenly.