The news=record. [volume] (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Oregon) 1907-1910, 1910-03-30
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.) }
By ths Author Of
"Ths Mystery of Hansom Cab" Eio.

Come, come. boys!" said Jen, an
hoyed at this scene between two hot
headed young men. who were not yet
gifted with the self-restraint of ex-
perience. Don't talk like this. You
are at my table, There is a stranger.
or shall say friend. present."
Say a friend" observed Etwald,
calmly. although I am about to say
that which may cause these two young
gentlemen to look upon me as an en-
emy."
What do you mean?" asked Maui
rice. turning his still frownins face to-
wards this strange and enigmatic man.
What say, Mr.. Aylmerl You
admire Miss Dallas?"
why bring her name into the ques-
tionf Yes. I admire Miss Dallas"
And you. Mr.. Sarby, can tell from
your attitude. from your look. you
love Miss Dallas"
David was taken aback by this
strange speaking.
Yes. Ill do love Miss Dallas"
I guessed as much" resumed Et-
wald. with cold smile. Now II ts
strange"
1T is strange that lady's name
should be thus introduced" said Jen.
annoyed at the tone of the conversa-
tion. Let US drop the subject"
"one moment Major. I wish us
three to understand one another
here the doctor hesitated. then went
on in an impassive voice-"about Miss
Dallasi"
why do you speak OF herr" asked
Maurice. fiercely. while David looked
'oweringly at Etwald
Because love heri"
"You love herl"
Tho two young mon burst out SIM
ultaneously with the speech in tones
Of sheer astonishment. and stared at
Etwald as at some strange animal.
That this elderly man-Etwald was
midway between thirty and forty, but
that looked elderly to these boys Of
twenty -five-should dare to love Isa-
bella Dallas was q thing unheard Of.
6he so young. so beautiful; he so SOM
Der. pale, and worn with intellectual
vigils; with mysterious past. q doubt
ful present. and a problematic future.
Maurice and David. divided the one
against the other by their passion for
the same woman. united In feeling
OF rage and contampt against this In
terloper, who dared to make third
In their worship Of Itabella. They
looked at Etwald. they looked at one
another. and finally both began to
laugh. Jen frowned at the sound OF
their mirth, but Etwald. In nowise
discomposed. sat unsmilingly In his
seat waiting for further developments
"Oh. It 10 too absurd" said Maurice
resuming his seat
"Whyr
greatest calmness. stared steadily al
the young man. and waited for the re-
ply. which he knew would be difiicult
to make.
"Oh. because-because-"
Never mind explaining. Mr.. Alymer
can guess your objection. I am toe
oid-too plain-too poor for this
charming young lady. You. on the
contrary, are young. passing well on
and handsome: all the gifts OF fortune
are on your side. Decidedly" added
the doctor. you hold the best hand
Well. we shall see who will win this
8Hilo-ab We may Chu IL.
"And what about me7" said David
you forget that I am a third player
Come. Etwald, you have prophesied
about Maurice: now read my fate"
mo-" said Etwald. rising. I'VE have
talked long enough on this subject. II
IL plain that we three men are in love
with the same woman. You can't blame
mo, nor you. Miss Dallas 10 sum
ciently beautiful excuse for our mad
ness. I spoke out. simply because
want you both to understand the posi-
tion. You are warned. and we can
now do battle for the smiles OF this
charming lady. Lot tho best man
win!"
Nothing could be fairer than that.
said Jen. quickly; hut I agree with
you. doctor. that the subject has been
sufliciently discussed: but. indeed. II
you win pardon mo saying 30. II
should never have been begun. Lot us
20 to the smoking room"
Thither the three young mon went in
the wake Of the Major. II was q COM
Portable room. with one wide window,
which at the present moment was
open. Outside tho light Of the newly
risen moon bathed lawn and trees and
flowers In a flood Of cold silver; and
the warm radiance OF the lamp poured
out rays OF gold into tho wonderful
white world without. The three mon
sat down In comfortable chairs.
elf-contained a. ever, Etwald look :
cd up at the wall near him. and SEEM
cd to be considering n decoration of
savage arms. which looked ,barbaric
and wild. between two oil paintingu.
When Jen came back with the cigars.
his gaze followed that Of his guest, and
he made remark about the weap-
ons.
IAN those came from Ashantee and
the West Coast OF Africa" said he.
touching q vicious looking axe. '-Thls
10 = sacrincal axe; this murdsrous-
looking blade IL the sword Of the exe-
eutioner OF King Koffcs; and this."
here he laid his finger lightly upon q
slender stick Of green wood. with q
golden top set roughly with large tur-
ouoise stones. ''is = poison wandi-
"A poison -wsndi" echoed Etwaid. 4
sudden light showing IN his cold eyss.
Il never heard Of such . thing
David. who was watching him. had
an instructive feeling that Etwaid was
telling Q lie He saw that the man
could hardly keep his seat for his "a :
gsrnsss - sxsmips and handle the