Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-14
CHAPTER VIII

CHAPTER VIII.
So far the reader may wonder at tn,
constituent elements of this story. AT.
rican witchcraft, mysterious strangers
and barbaric women seem to be out o.
place when set In the sober framework
OF a provincial town. But romance Il
not dependent upon landscape or or
surroundings for its occurrences; 1t is
to be found everywhere, and very Of
ten In the most unlikely places. Here
Tor instance, by some trick OF fate, GER
tain people had come together, certain
passions had been aroused, and now
that the drama had been set in motion,
II seemed likely that 1t would play it.
self out to a tragical conclusion.
For whole week after the events
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.. Etwald. After the violent
scene with Maurice, the widow SO
overtaxed her strength that she be-
came Ill. 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
da.' 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 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. don't know what I'll do
with Isabella" sighed Mrs. Dallas;
she is getting so disobedient."
7
Mrs. Dallas looked uneasily at her
medical attendant
NO" she said. quietly Il may per-
suade her into doing what want"
Which is to marry Mr.. David Sar-
by" said Etwald, coolly. TN that case
can only hope that the young lady
will continue obstinate, as I wish TO
marry her myself"
Il Rnow-I knowl But I don't wal
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.
Il have not set eyes on # since that
night you showed it to me-" declared
Etwald. coolly. You refused to sell
Il to me, so Of course I gave up all
idea Of possessing It. All the same"
finished he; politely, Il am sorry that
It is lost"
'Lostl Stolen you mean" growled
Jen. tartly. That negress-
"Didol Well, I admit that such a
treasure would tempt her, the
more particularly as she knows about
such wizard instruments. Ask her II
she took IT,"
I have done So and I have asked
Mrs. Dallas also" replied Jen; but It
seems that Dido wasn't out OF the
house that night She was ill-and.