Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-02-04
CHAPTER II.-(Continued.)

| DeTlGilCe. Don | tdlb lltt lllS' i'N
are at my table. There is a stranger,
or shall / say a friend, present."
Say a friend" observed Etwald,
| calmly, although am about to say
that which may cause these two young
gentlemen to look upon me as an en-
envy"
What do you mean?" asked Maui
rice, turning his still frowning face to-
wards this strange and enigmatic man.
What l say, Mr.. Aylmer! YOU
admire Miss Dallas?"
why bring her name into the ques-
ton? Yes, I admire Miss Dallas"
"And you, Mr.. Sarby, I can tell from
u attitude. from your look, you
love Miss Dallas"
David was taken aback by this
TRANCE speaking.
YES. Ill do love Miss Dallas"
Il guessed as much" resumed Eft
valid, with a cold smile. Now 1t is
strange
TT is strange that a lady's name
should be thus introduced said Jen,
annoyed al the tone of the CONVERSE
ton. Let us drop the subject"
"One moment, Major. ! wish US
three to understand n another
here the doctor hesitated, then went
Ol III Ill lIIlDdSSlNS ~ AFIloo
ballast"
why do you speak of herr" asked
Maurice, fiercely. while David looked
loweringly at Etwald.
Because I love her!"
You love her!"
The two young men burst out sim
| ~ultaneously with the speech in tones
| of sheer astonishment, and stared at
Etwald as at some strange animal.
That this elderly man-Etwald was
| midway between thirty and forty. but
| that looked elderly to these boys or
| twenty-hve-should dare to love 1sa-
bella Dallas was q thing unheard OF.
She so young. SO beautiful; he so SOM
Der, pale, and worn with intellectual
vigils; with a mysterious past, a doubt
full present, and a problematic future.
Maurice and David, divided the one
| against the other by their passion for
the same woman. united In a feeling
| of rage and contempt against this In
terloper, who dared to make a third
In their worship of Itabella. They
looked at Etwald, they looked at one
another, and finally both began to
laugh. Jen frowned at the sound OF
their mirth, but Etwald. In nowise
| discomposed, sat unsmilingly in his
| SeuL WalllIlS lOT IuIllcI lopiAi
ooh, 1t Is too absurd" said Maurice.
resuming his seat. ~
"Why?"
Etwald put the question with the
greatest calrnness. stared steadily at
the young man, and waited for the re-
ply, which he knew would be difficult
to make.
"Oh, because-because-"
Never mind explaining, Mr.. Alymer,
/ can guess your objection. I am too
old-too plain-too poor for this
charming young lady. You. on the
contrary. are young, passing we'll off.
and Handsome; all the gifts of fortune
are on your side. Decidedly" added
the doctor, you hold the best hand.
| Well, we shall see who will win this
game-as we may call It,"
"And what about mef' said David.
you forget thai I am q third player.
Come. Etwald, you have ~prophesied
about Maurice: now read my fate"
NO." said Etwald. rising. I'VE have
talked long enough on this subject. 1t
10 plain that we three men are In love
with the same woman You can't blame
me, nor I you. Miss Dallas is a sufn-
GENTLY beautiful excuse for our mad
ness. I spoke out, simply because I
want you both to understand the posi-
ton. You are warned, and we can
now do battle for the smiles OF this
charming lady. Let the best hal
win!"3
Nothing could be fairer than that
said Jen, quickly; 'but I agree with
you, DOCTOR, that the subject has been
sufficiently discussed; but. indeed. IL
you will pardon me saying SO. it
should never have been begun. Let US
go to the smoking room"
Thither the three young men went in
the wake Of the Major. It was q COM
Portable room, with n wide window,
which At the present moment was
open. Outside the light of the newly
risen moon bathed lawn and trees and
| flowers In a food Of cold silver: and
h warn, radiance Of the lamp poured
| out rays OF gold into the wonderful
white world without. The three men
sat down in comfortable chairs.
Self-contained al aver. Etwald look
| ed sup at the wall near him, and seem
/ ed to be considering a decoration Of
savage arms, which looked barbaric
and wild. between two oil paintings.
| When Jen came ack with the cigars,
his gaze followed that OF his guest. and
he made a remark about the weap-
n
All those came from Ashantee and
| the West Cost Of Africa" said he,
touching a vicious Stocking axe. This
IL a. sacrihcal axe; this murderous-
| looking blade 10 the sword of the exc
| cutioner Of King Koffee; and this"
here he laid his finger lightly upon a
slender stick Of green wood. with a
golden top set roughly with large tur-
auoise stones. sis a poison wand!"
"A poison wand!" echoed Etwald. a
sudden light showing In his cold eyes.
Il never heard Of such a thing"
David. who was watching him, had
an instructive feeling that Etwald was
| telliag lie. He snw thai the man
could hardly keep his seat for his ea-
sgerness to examine and handle the
strange weapon. However. he said
nothing. but watched and watched,
when. Maurice made a remark about
the stick.
"Oh. that Il Uncle Jen's greatest
treasure" h ,said. smiling. H can
tell twenty stories about that Innocent
looking camel"
sInnocent-looking!s achoed Jen.
taking dowugs>he green wand. How
On you say SAdAea thingf Lock here.
DtwalA.s ana hosaAid the stick on the
table. mo. dent teuch It nan" he
added, hA0tllN@sEss4hoEo q plenty Of