Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-14
CHAPTER vII.-(Continued.l J


erwise should have been forced. frol
a sense Of honor. to hold my tongu
Mrs. Dallas fears that If Isabella maj
ries anyone but David, her death wi
take place"
Whose death? Isabella's or Mr.
Dallas'?"
The latter. You must knew, Mau
rice" continued the Major. that Mri
Dallas, though we'll born and we
married, is an extremely ignoran
woman. She was brought up mostl
by Dido's grandmother who was tn
most accursed old witch in Barbados
This old hag instilled into the mind 0
Mrs. Dallas all kinds of superstitions
In which she really believes. Whel
the grandmother died Dido became
nurse to Isabella, and private witch o
the Dallas household. She is clever
wonderfully clever-and she has con.
tinued her grandmother's system Of
terrorizing both Mrs. Dallas and Isa-
bella"
Yes; can see that, Uncle Jen. and
1t is for that reason I want to marry
Isabella, and take her away before her
mind is degraded further by that old
fury"
Well. the old fury sees what you
want, my dear lad. and so she is deter
mined that Isabella shall marry David
and not you. To accomplish her aims
she went through some hocuspocus
and discovered that If Isabella marries
you. Mrs. Dallas will die"
"And does Mrs. Dallas believe that
rubbish?" asked Maurice, incredulous-
ly.
Implicitly! I tell you she is ignor-
ant and superstitious. Come what
may, she is convinced that your mar
riage with Isabella means her own
death; so you may rest assured, Mau-
rice, that she will never, never accept
you as her son-in law"
Il understand" said Maurice, with a
shrug. TT seems hopeless to contest
this decision of a diseased and feeble
mind. / can understand Dido stop
ping my marriage, as she wants to re-
tain her sinful influence over Isabella;
1 can understand Mrs. Dallas, weak
and silly, being dominated by this ne
gro Jezebel; but l can't understand
why David is chosen as the future
SON law. If he marries Isabella. he
will no more put up with Dido that I
should have done"
-Gf course not; can't explain the
reason" replied Jen, shaking his head.
but you know all that know. Mau-
rice; and you can see that 1t is nope
less for you to attempt to marry the
girl"
I'm not SO sure Of that" retorted
Maurice; Z love Isabella, and come
what may. intend to make her my
VIE"
But what about me?" said a voice
outside the open window; what about
me?" And a moment later David in
dusty riding-dre stepped into the
room. He looked disturbed and angry,
and his strongly marked face bore
traces of agitation and haunting
thoughts.
Disturbed by the unexpected ap-
pearance of David, and seeing from
his expression that he was bent upon
making himself disagreeable, Jen has
tily interposed to prevent quarrel be-
tween the two young men.
what David? back againl" he said,
Ignoring the question asked by Sarby.
$50 you did not stay to dinner?"
NO" replied Dayid. shortly, 'T
didn't" He flung himself into a chair
and resumed In a significant tone,
Mrs. Brance didn't ask me, and II she
had. / couldn't have accepted in this
dress. Besides, 1 am not the man
whom she delights to honor. Now, If
had been there, Meg"
Don't couple my name with Meg's,"
Maurice, sharply. You
know quite we'll"
It's no use your assuming that in
nocent air, Maurice. You have not |
treated Mag well!"
7 have! How dare you say such |
thing? Meg knew that was in love |
with Isabella"
"Ohl" said David. with a sneer. 'T
overheard you arrange to marry her.
But you'll never do that while 1 am |
alive, or Mrs. Dallas either. 1 told
Mrs. Dallas that 1 loved Isabella, and
she said that nothing would give her
greater pleasure than to see US mar
ried."
You shan't marry her!' cried Mau-
rice, angrily rising.
sT shalll" said David. and rose also.
''Boysl Boys!" said Jen, annoyed
1t this quarrel. do not be so positive.
Il you are both in love with the same
woman, let the woman decide"
She has decided" said AyImer.
sharply. She loves me-"
Il don't care two straws about that"
aid David. eoldly. Il have not spo-
gen to her yet; but all the same 1 in
end her to become my wife. 1 give
,ou fair warning, Maurice. that you
ire not to poach upon my preserves"
Your preserves. Confound your in
Iolencei"
Upon my word, David" said Jen,
Ieeing that Maurice could hardly
peak for rage. you go too far. The
.Srl loves Maurice and not you: and It
would be much more honorable for you
lot to press your suit"
Il don't care two pins for honor, Ma
orr I love Isabella, and intend to
marry her. But become the wife Of
daurice she never shall; I'd rather see
Ier married to Etwald."
The third Richmond who is in the
eid," scoffed Maurice. We'll, he has
3 good a chance as you. Dido sup
'orts his pretensions; Mrs. Dallas is