Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-03-04
CHAPTER vII.-(Continued.)

Mrs. Dallas fears that If Isabella mar
ries anyone but David, her death will
take place"
Whose death? Isabella's or Mrs.
Dallas'?'
THE latter. You must know, Maui
rice" continued the Major, that Mrs.
Dallas, though well born and well
married, is an extremely iSnorant
oma She was brought up mostly
by Dido's grandmother, who was the
most accursed old witch in Barbados.
This old bag instilled into the mind OF
Mrs. Dallas all kinds of superstitions,
in which she really believes. When
the grandmother died Did became
nurse to Isabella, and private witch CT
the Dallas household. She Is clever
wonderfully clever-and she has con-
tinued her grandmother's system or
t]errorizing 10Th Mrs. Dallas and lsa-
bella"
Yes; I can see that, Uncle Jen, and
it is for that reason | want to marry
Isabella, and take her away before her
mind is degraded further by that old
fury"
We'll, the old fury sees VIA you
want, my dear lad, and so she is deter
mined hat ISABELLA shall marry David
and not you. To accomplish her aims
h went through some h~ocuspocus
and discovered that If ISABELLA marries
you, Mrs. Dallas will die"
And does Mrs. Dallas believe that
ruLbish?" asked Maurice, incredulous-
ly.
Implicitly! I tell you she is ignor-
ant and superstitious. Come that
may, she is convinced that your mar
riage with Isabella means her own
death; so you may rest assured, Maui
rice, that she will never. never accept
o as her son-in-law.'
II understand" said Maurice, with a
shrug. TT seems hopeless to contest
this decision Of a diseased n feeble
mind. I can understand Dido stop
ping my marriage, as she wants to re-
tain her sinful influence over Isabella;
/ can understand Mrs. Dallas, weak
and silly. being dominated by his ne
gro Jezebel; but I can't understand
why David is chosen as the future
on-in-law If he marries Isabella, he
will no more put up with DC that 1
should have done"
j "Of course not; I cant explain the
reason" replied Jen, shaking his head.
But you know all that 1 know. Maui
rice; and you can see that 1t is hope
less for you to attempt to marry the
girl"
I'm not SO sure of that" retorted
Maurice; Il owe Isabella, and come
may. I intend to make her my
wife"
But what about me?" said a voice
outside the open window; what about
And a moment later David, in
dusty riding-dress, stepped into the
ROOM. He locke disturbed and angry,
and his strongly marked face pore
traces Of agitation and haunting
thoughts.
Disturbed by the unexpected APP
pearance of David, and seeing from
his expression that he was bent upon
making himself disagreeable, Jen has
tily interposed to prevent a quarrel be-
tween the two young Ter
What. David? back again." he said.
ignoring the question asked by Sarby.
$50 you did not stay to dinner?"
NO" replied David, shortly, II
didn't!' He flung himself into a chair
and resumed in a significant tone,
Mrs. Brance didn't ask me. and if she
had, I couldn't have accepted in this
dress. Besides, I am o the man
whom she delights to honor. Now, if
Maurice had beensthere, Meg
DIDN'T couple my name with Meg's,"
interrupted Maurice. sharply. You
know quite we'll"
Its no Use you assuming that In
nocent air. Maurice. You have not
treated Mag WE'LL" t
IT have! How dare you say such a
hing? Meg knew that I was in love
with Isabella"
..Oh!" said David, with a sheer. IT
overheard o arrange to marry her.
But you'll never do that while I am
alive, or Mrs. Dallas either. told
Mrs. Dallas that I loved Isabella, and
she said that nothing would give her
a pleasure han to see us mar
ried."
You shan't marry hertz cried Maui
rice. angrily rising.
AZ shall.." said David, and rose also.
.Roys! Boys!'' said Jen. ANNOYED
At this quarrel. do not be so positive.
II you are both in owe with the same
woman, let the decide"
.She has decided" said Aylmer.
sharply. "She loves me-"
" don't care two straws about that"
said David, coldly. Il have not spo-
ken to her yet; but all the same I in
tend her to become my wife. 1 give
YOU fair warning, Maurice. that you
are not to 'poach upon my preserves"
your preserves. Confound your in
solence!"
upon my word. David" said Jen,
seeing that Maurice could hardly
speak for rage. you so too far. The
girl loves Maurice and not you and 1t
not to press your suit"
II don't care two pins for honor, Ma
tor! / love Isabella. and I intend to
marry her. But become the wife of
Maurice she never shall; I'd rather. see
her married to Etwald."
.srhe third Richmond who il in the
field" scored Maurice. well. HI has
A. good a chance az you. Dido sup
ports his s~pretensions; Mrs. Dallas il
your champion. As for me. I have the
love Of Isabella, so I'm afraid Of moth
.iux.,.E s1ssg
Are you not 2" said Sarby. with a
peculiar smile. Remember what Eft
valid said about YOU life In death!"s
II dom believe In that rubbish. DA-
vid, and I should b very sorry ia
think you, did,"
"As to that I don't care about di1-
ctassing the point" was the reply. 'Oul
own beliefs are are own business. But
I may say that Etwald 10 = dangerous
man, both TO you and to me"
II daresay." satd Maurice, coolly
~@Ne- No. 40