Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-05-20
PIER XXIII.

killed Maurice!' said Jen,
pushing back his chair. impossible,
Doctor. You must be mistaken"
"I don't think so." replied Etwald,
dryIy. u saw her do it. So did Da-
vid."
You must be mistaken" insisted
the Major once more. David was in
New York on the night when the crime
was committed"
by his own confession in court,
David was in the grounds of Mrs. Dali
las on that night"
Yes, yes. You are right" said Jen,
in "a bewildered tone. Still, I cannot
believe that Isabella killed Maurica.
She loved him dearly. and had no rea-
son to murder him."
None in the world. Yet she GER
tainly too his life. Come, Major, /
won't worry you any longer with IN
quiries. Dido hypnotiZed the daugh-
ter to commit the crime, as she had
willed the mother to steal the devil
stick. Isabella is absolutely ignorant
Of what she did. and firmly believed
that / was the guilty person. Now, Of
course, she links David-by his own
confession-is the assassin"
But David confessed himself guilty
to save her?'
"Of course; but Isabella does not
know that. She thinlkS-and, on the
face of it, with reason-that David
killed Maurice out of jealousy"
How was it David saw the crime
committed"
Il shall explain" aid Etwald. "Da-
vid found out that Maurice was going
to meet Isabella that night, secretly,
in the grounds of Mrs. Dallas. near the
gate. Determined to see the meeting.
and to learn if there was any nope for
him, he feigned a journey to New York
in order to lull any suspicious which
Maurice might have that he was be-
ing watched. Instead of going, how
ever, he concealed himself at a spot
where he could see the gates, which
opened on to the highway. Now" add
ed Etwald, with a side glance at the
Major. 1T so happened that I also
wished to see hat meeting"
Flow did you know it was about to
take placer"
Il learned the fact from Dido. Well.
I saw David in his place of conceal
ment, and guessed his reason for COM
ing. Maurice appeared at the
vous, and shortly afterwards Isabella,
under the hypnotic influence, came
| down the avenue. In her hand she
| held the devil stick, and came swiftly
| towards Maurice. He, not understand
ing the deadly weapon with which she
| was armed, came to meet her with
| outstretched arms. She thrust the
devil-stick before her, and wounded
him in the palm of the hand. With a
cry he fcll-dead."
Within the gates?" asked the Ma
jor. much agitated.
yes. within the gates,' responded
Etwald. When Isabella had struck
the blow, she dropped the devil-stick in
the grass where, If you remember, it
was found by Battersea. Then she re-
turned to the house by the little path
which leads thereto through the sur
rounding trees. The body lay in the
bright moonlight, full in the lcenter Of
the path, not a stone's-throw from the
high-road. David and l rushed SIM
| ~ultaneously from our hiding places,
and I explained hurriedly that the body
must not be found in the grounds. He
understood. and we carried the body on
to the road. Before we had time to
deliberate what was to be DONE, we
heard the noise of approaching foot
steps, and afraid-both of us-of being
accused of the crime. we fled. Then
you came dow the road and discover
ed the corpse"
Yes. 1 heard the poor lads cry
said Jen, simply, "and 1 ran down at
once. You must have been very quick
in your movements. I wish both Of
you had been more open with me-"
Il am afraid that would have been
impossible. Major aid Etwald, rising.
You were SO distracted over the death
of Maurice. and SO unjust in your ha-
tired of me, that it would have been
dangerous to trust you"
Am I unjust in my hatred Of your
demanded Jen, getting on his feet. st
think not, DR.. Etwald. Your desire to
marry Isabella, OF. rather. her fortune,
has been the cause Of all these ills.
Dido was only you instrument. whom
you compelled to work by means of the
voodoo Stone. That she betraySl you
In the md was your punishment. I 30
not blame her so much Is / do you.
You alone are responsible for the death
of those two o La Of mine"
We'll. have it your W way" said
Etwald, carelessly. Il am q scoundrel
in your eyes, / dare say; but II you
will permit me to see you tomorrow
at IL o'clock. I shall be to prove
that I am not quite 50 black as you
have painted me-"
Il never want to set eyes on you
again." said Jen, bluntly.
Nor will you-after midday to-
morrow. But you will regret II you do
not grant me this interview. II you
are wise o will range to let me
come here tomorrow at II, n meet
Mrs. Dallas and her daughter"
Both OF them will refuse to meet
you. You saw Mrs. Dallas to-day. how
she behaved"
Like the fool she is" said the doc
tor. putting on his hat. We'll. I am
going VIII o see me tomorrow
morning.
Yes. I don't know what possible
things you can find to say to me after
this Interview; but. as you make such
a point of 1t, I'll see you"
And ask Mrs. Dallas and her daugh-
ter to be present."
Yes. I'll try n get them to come
Later on In the day Jen sent q letter
to The Wtgwam," asking Mrs. Dallas
to, come with her daughter the next
morning AZ III O'clock. He did not i
plain that Dr.. Etwaldswould be prea-
ent. - he knew the temper q Ars.,
Dallas. Whatever might DO ak stake,
even II 4 wsrs @ her own interest. she
would yo1uDo - meet the moo towards