Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-03-10

ask her"
7 SHALL" cried Jen, Starting from
his chair. "And also I'll find out why
she needed to prepare the poison at
all. In my opinion David. that black
| JezebeI is at the bottom Of the whole
affair. She stole the deviI-stick, she
/ prepared the poison, murdered Maui
rice, and stole his body"
David retired to his room. and Jen
went off to interview Isabella at The
| Wigwam." He walked meditatively
down to the gates. and here, on the
high-rOad. his thoughts led him to
sudden conclusion respecting the COM
ing conversation with Miss Dallas.
Without much consideration he retrac-
ed his steps rapidly. and sought out
! David in his room. Then and there he
asked him question which was of vi
| tai Importance
David" said he, abruptly, owing to
! the coming of Etwald and Arkel on the
night upon which the body was stolen,
1 forgot TO ask you what reception
Miss Dallas met with on her return
home. Who received herr"
| Mrs. Dallas She had missed her
/
| in a state of .terror-sureIy natural I'M
der the circumstances. I found her
pacing the veranda, wondering what
! had become of Isabella"
Pacing the veranda," echoed Jen,
thoughtfully. WAS she fully dressed? ?"
| Well. yes, so far as my memory
| serves me I think she was"
| And Dido?"
Il saw nothing, or heard nothing, of
! Dido When I found Mrs. Dallas. I
| simply performed my mission, and de-
| Iivered Isabella into her hands. The
poor girl was quite distraught with
the horror of the night, and was led
INTERESTINGLY to bed by her mother"
| Mrs. Dallas dressed! Dido miss
! ing" said the Major Thank you, Da-
vid you have told me all 1 want to
| know" and, with nod Major Jen set
| off for the second time to The Wig
wam."
| Fortune favored him, for on arrfv-
| ing within the grounds of Mrs. Dallas
the Major met with Isabella herself,
in light-coIOred dress, with sunshade
and straw hat; she was strolling down
| the walk which led to the gate. On
| COIllIIS up Will OGii, he was SURPRISED
to see that her manner was calm and
collected; in all respects different from
that displayed during the frenzy Of the
midnight visit. He could hardly be-
lIeve that she was the same girl.
4 am glad to see you, Major" said
| she, holding out her hand. You have
saved me the trouble of journey, as
was on my way to your house"
ITO see me, Miss Dallas?"
1T is my Intention to aid you in
your search for the assassin of Maui
rice. Oh yes, you may look doubtful
as to my ability to help you, but 1 can
and will. 1 am not the mad woman
who burst into your library at in
the morning. 1 am cool and calm, and
bent upon revenge. Maurice is dead.
| I loved him. And l intend to devote
myself to avenging his death. Come,
! Major. sit upon this seat beside me,
and relate all you have heard, all you
| have discovered. With my woman's
wit l may be able to help you in the
way the mouse aided the lion. Begin"
Jen was astonished both at her per-
emptory tone and her quiet manner
| Whatever influence had been at work,
! 1t was certainly wonderful how she had
Gained down from the nervous hyster-
icaI girl, into the reasonable and cool
| headed woman. Isabella noted the
anna cement of the Major, and guessing
| its cause, she explained the reason Of
the change in her looks, manner, and
nervous system.
DIR. Etwald cured me, Major" she
said quietly. He has preserved my
! L
! tude."
You certainly do" said Jan, dryIy
VIII you repay it by marrying him?"
No. I shall marry no one; not
even Mr.. Sarby, much as my mother
| wishes me to do so. I live only to
| avenge the death of Maurice, to recov-
err his body from those who have sto-
len it. Come. Major, tell me what you
lnow."
Thus adjured, and feeling that he
! could not do without her assistance
Jen related all that he had heard from
Arllel, and also his own personal ex-
| perience with regard to the finding of
the handkerchief Isabella heard him
TO the end in silence, her large and
! shining eyes fixed upon his face. When
he paused, she pondered, and finally
spoke out.
1t would seem that you suspect Di-
do or my mother of having something
to do with the matter?" she remarked.
coldly
NO I don't say that exactly. but
YOU must admit that the finding of the
handkerchief bound round Jaggard's
head is strange
Not at all DR.. Etwald used it as
a bandage. He picked it up in the bed
| ROOM"
Precisely" assented Jen. eagerly.
| Therefore, your mother"
Had nothing to do with it," inter-
rupted Jen, but the similarity of the
kerchief in the room. Is there ANY
thing so very extraordinary in that?''
she added. impatiently The matter
is very simple. I brought with me one
of my mothers handkerchiefs instead
of my own. In the agitation of ffndin g
the body gone I dropped it. and Dr.
4 Etwald found it, to use as a bandage.
That is quite plain. l think"
Quite plain" agreed the Major,
saving the presence of the perfume
similar to that OF the devil-sticb."
don't know anything about the
oeNH-sllck. l never saw it; but with
2, regard to the perfume 1 can explain. I
was Ill on that night as YOU know,
and Dido applied some of her negro
remedies; among them the perfume
with which that handkerchief of my
mothers was saturated. 1t was bound
across my forehead to soothe the
nerves During my journey to your
house snatched it off, and"
L can understand all that" inter
rupted Jen, but the similarity of the
perfumes? I must have that point
cleared up"
I dare say it can be-" said Isabella.
quietly. Come up to the house, Ma
jor, and speak to Dido. I feel sure she
can explain
Very good" said Jen. IF her ex-
PLANTATION is only as clear as your own.
1 shall have nothing to say. By the
way, Miss Dallas, how did YOU esca ne