Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-03-24

that she wished for q detailed descrip-
tion OF the wand, for already she knew
its appearance, but because II might
happen that it would be necessary to
use the tramp for certain purposes
connected with the discovery of se-
crets. Dido exercised strong infiu-
ence over this weak old creature.
Battersea was supposed to be q
Christian; but the barbaric fluid in his
| veins inclined him to the terrible gro
tesqueness of African witchcraft, and
Dido and her words stirred some dim
instinct in his mind. The negress saw
that accident had placed in her way a
helpless creature, who might be OF use
in her necromantic business; there
fore, by hypnotizing him once or twice.
she contrived to keep him within her
power. All of which fantasy would
have been denied by the average news
paper reader, who cannot imagine such
things taking place In what he calls
euphoniously a Christian land. But
this happened, Notwithstanding.
Having dismissed Battersea, the ne
gress turned to seek Isabella. She was
so devoted to her nursing that she
could hardly bear to be away from
herj and since her infancy Isabella had
scarcely been absent an hour from her
strange attendant. The girl had gone
into the drawing room, where Mrs.
Dallas was still sleeping; and there,
relieved for the moment from the pry-
ing eyes Of the negress, she took a
letter out of her pocket 1t was from
Maurice, stating that he was coming
to see her that afternoon at 3 o'clock,
as ne had something particular to say.
1t was now close upon the hour, and
Isabella was wondering how she could
get rid of Dido, whom she did not
wish to be present at the coming inter-
view. The inborn jealousy of the
woman, and her advocacy of Dr. Et-
wald's suit, made her an unpleasant
third at such a meeting; moreover,
Maurice instinctively disliked this sui
len creature, and was never quite easy
in her presence.
Finally Isabella decided to slip
round back of the house and meet
Maurice at the gate. She put on
straw hat, and ran lightly away to see
her lover. She passed out by a side
door, danced like a fairy across the
intervening space of lawn, and slipped
laughingly into the narrow path which
wound through the wood to the ave-
nue. near the gates.
Just as she emerged into the open,
she heard sharp click, and. saw
Maurice approaching He was dress
ed in his fannels, and looked particu-
larly handsome, she thought; the more
so when she beheld his face lighting
up at her unexpected appearance. The
magnetism of love drew them irresisti-
bly, together.
My own dear love-" he murmured |
softly. How good of you to meet
mel"
Il came down here to escape Dido"
explained Isabella, slipping her hand |
within his. You don't like her to be
with us!"
I don't like her in any case, my dar-
ling. She is like a black shadow of |
evil always at your heels. I must get
your mother to forbid her trespassing
upon our meetings"
My dear Maurice, how can you pos
sibly do that, when you refuse to tell
my mother Of our enga agement?"
"Oh, had a reason for keeping our
engagement secret, but 1t is no longer
necessary, and l am going straight to
ask your mother to give me this dear
hand in marriage. If she consents, we
will soon get rid of Dido"
But my mother may not consent"
said Isabella, a trihe nervously.
why not? l have profession and
a small property. We love one anoth-
er dearly so l don't see what ground
she has for refusal. wish to tell your
mother of our engagement; for l must
rescue you from the influence of that
dark Jezebel. She is dangerous"
Il know she is; but she hates you!"
Il don't care for her hate" replied
carelessly. 1T is a poor
thing, and cannot possibly harm me.
Surely Mrs. Dallas will not let herself
be guided in so important a business
by the will and feelings of that black
wench."
Ito be continued.)