Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-04-28
CHAPTER NXII-lContinued.l


had so deeply wronged.
All said Etwald, as complacently
as ever, 4 thought 7 should find you
here, Major; but 1 hardly expected to
see Mrs. Dallas"
you viIlain." cried that lady, start
ing from her seat. DO you think
want to see you after all the misery
you have caused? Why, 1 refuse even
to remain in the same room with you!'
And with a furious gesture the Creole
swept past Etwald and out Of the door,
which she banged loudly. Etwald look
ed at the door, shrugged shis shoulders,
and turned politely to the Major.
1T is just as well she is gone" said
he quietly 1T is better than our con-
versation should be private"
I wish to hold no conversation with
scoundrel. sir" cried Jen, purple
with rage I'll have you turned out
of the house"
IN that case you'll never hear what
/ have come to tell you"
What is that. sir?" demanded Jen.
in a calmer tone.
The truth! Ny story is quite diff
ferent to that Of Dido"
'David's was different also"
story-differs even from David's. VIII
you hear 1t, Major. or shall leave
your house before I suffer the disgrace
of being kicked out?"
The Major considered for a few mo-
ments before replying. There was
limited mystery in the manner of Ell
valid which puzzled him not little.
Moreover, he wished to know the lc-
tual facts Of the case, and now that
Dido had fled, Etwald was he only one
who could tell them. Acting upon these
considerations, Jen sat down again in
his chair and sull1ily gave Etwald per-
mission to remain and explain. This
the doctor proceeded to do at once.
AS you are aware" said he, calmly,
II escaped the charge of murder, and
very right too, seeing that l was inno-
cent of the crime. But as to the steal
ing of the body l am guilty. I am out
on bail, and must come up for trial
soon on the charge that 1 spoke of.
However, l am not afraid, as l can de-
fend myself in a manner you little
dream Of But being out on bail, l
came to see you"
ITO tell me more lies"
ITO tell you the truth, my dear Ma
L
will surprise you not a little. But, by
the way, Major-Dido?"
"She has fled"
4 know it. She was afraid of me-"
Hardly" replied Jen, a tri1e spite
fully. You have lost the Voodoo
Stone remember"
Yes I was taken advantage of for
once in my life. A cunning woman,
that Dido. Sho got permission to see
me in prison, and to talk to me alone,
under the pretence of seeing me about
her evidence. Knowing that l could
compel her to do what l wished by
means of the Voodoo Stone, l saw her
with pleasure, as it was my intention
to put the words likely to get me off
to prove my innocence-into her
mouth. However, while 1 was talking
to her, she suddenly produced a phial
Of the deyil-stick poison, and threw it
In my face. OF course. 1 instantly be-
came unconscious, and it was then
that she wrenched the talisman off my
watch chain"
Is the poison so quick in it's effects,
them
4 should think So" said EtwaId,
coldly. You saw how David fell in
court, after wounding his hand 1 fell
in prison quite as quickly, but as nv
skin was not scratched, and the drug
only took effect through the nostrils. l
recovered"
And when you recovered?"
The gaoler told me that Dido had
called him in, saying that had faint
ed. While they were getting me round
Dido went off with the Voodoo Stone.
Those about the prison had no reason
to detain her, so she left When 7
found the Voodoo Stone gone" added
Etwg.d. impressively, 4 knew that the
black wretch would give evidence
against me- and that the game was at
an end"
You expected to be hanged?" sug-
gested Jen.
We'll, no." replied the doctor. with
wonderful GOODNESS. I did not expect
that. If the worst came to the worsr.
1 knew that l could protect myself;
but ] must admit tina he confession of
my counsel, Mr.. Sarby. ook me sonc-
what by surprise"
Poor David," sighed Jen. Thinking
of the young man cut off in the bloom
Of his youth.
Poor David" echoed Etwald. with
sneer Foolish David. YOU might
say, to die for the sake of a woman "
Yet you rislSed death for the same
woman"
4 risked danger for the woman,s
fortune retorted Etwald. with revolt
ing candor 1t was the money I want
ed But death, no, I did not risk that"
4 am not SO sure of that. Etwald.
How did you know that David would
in, s7v.,r
L did not know it, Major AS said
before. his confession took me bv s,1r-
prise. Still as I was innocent, I knew
that I could not be hanged"
Well" said Jen. growing weary of
this long continued conversation.
which seemed to lead to nothing, at
all events, you'll not escape a long
term of Imprisonment"
'Why?" said Etwald with an agree
able smile. There are two opinions
about that, Mine Is that I shall so
free. Then" he added, coolly, Il in
tend to seek Barbados, and search Tor
that black witch in order to recover
the Voodoo Stone"
I hope you'll get the change of go
ing; but I doubt it. However, if you
do set as far as the West Indies, you'll
find friends there. Mrs. Dallas AMI
her daughter go back to their estates
in Barbados within the month"
Really" said Etwald. again. Then
I may marry her after ALL"
She won't have YOU
"Oh, l think so. I have a means of
compelling her to marry me-
Jen jumped up with a scowI.
I'm tired of your enigmas," he cried.
angrily, What is it you wish to tell
me?"
The name of the person who com
mitted the murdert"
4 know it. David Sarby!"
Not at al! He accused himself 10
shield the real person."
ITO shield the assassin gasped
Jen, thunderstruck. And who is the
assassin?"
Cant you guess from his self-accu-
sation? Why. the woman he loved"
'Isabella?''
Exactly Isabella Dallas, and none