Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-07
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reasons for mixing up things So.
Then he laid aside his book to think.
and stared idly at the opposite wall
1t CHANGED to be that upon which the
carbaric weapons before alluded to
were arranged. and conspicuous among
them the golden handle of the devil
stick. Recalling the mention OF Woo
doo and Etwald's reference to African
witchcraft, Maurice connected in his
own mind the devil-stick with those
barbarisms, and on the impulse Of the
moment he rose to examine the magic
wand. Handling it carefully-for he
dreaded the poison, although 1t was
said to be dried up-he wondered If
Dido could make use Of it were 1t in
her possession.
Il heard Mrs. Dallas say that Dido's
people came from Ashantee," solilo-
quized Maurice, so l have no doubt
she can work the Internal thing. Per-
haps she knows enough to fill the bag
with fresh poison. If she did so, l
wouldn't trust myself near her. She
would be sure to experiment on me-"
AT this moment Major Jen. looking
slightly worried, entered the room, and
Maurice, he stopped short with an
ejaculation Of surprise.
You are looking at that thing, Mau-
rice?" said he, wonderingly. Now
that is strange. have just been talk
Ing about it with DR.. Etwald."
OH" said Maurice, his thoughts
flying back to the mysterious influence
which he had seen Etwald exercise
over Dido. And what was the doctor
saying?"
"A great deal. He saw the devil
stick the other night, and day he
sent a note, asking II 1 would ride
over and see him this afternoon.
did so, then he explained that he wish
ed to buy that thing!"
"The devil-stick? Why?"
I can't say. He explained that he
had been in the Barbados; and that
he took a great interest in the subject
Of African fetish worship. He had
heard Of these 'wands of sleep as they
are called, and greatly wished to OBJ
tain one, but he was unable to do so.
Since seeing mine he has been seized
with desire to possess it.
"Why?" said Maurice, again.
AS curiosity. suppose. I've told
you all he told me. But I refused to
sell 1t to him, and he seemed greatly
vexed, a display of irritation which in
its turn vexed me. l was quite an.
noyed when left him"
why don't you wish to sell 1t, I'm
Gle Jen?'
Because 1t is a dangerous thing to
handle. Although the poison is dried
up, yet there may be enough in It to
kill man. If l parted with it and
anyone was injured by it, l should
never forgive myself Pray put 1t up,
Maurice; l dislike to see you touch it.
Tonight after dinner. l shall lock 1t
up in a safe place. David is right; 1t
should not be on the wall there"
David has gone over to see Meg"
Yes. don't think he will be back
until after dinner" said Jen, rising.
so you and I had better sit down as
soon as we are dressed. 1 am very
hungry"
Uncle Jen. want to ask you some
thing. Do you wish David to marry
Isabella Dallas?"
Il really can't say. That is matter
which lies in the hands of the girl her
self If she likes you better than Da-
vid@
"She does!"
What! Have you spoken to her?"
Il have, and to Mrs. Dallas, who de-
clines to sanction our engagement She
wants Isabella to marry David. and
said"
Il can guess what she said," inter-
ruppted Jen, hastily. mo more of this
till after dinner. my dear lad. Then
I'll explain ALL"
Explain what7"
why Mrs. Dallas wants Isabella to
marry David" Not another word
would the Major say on the sub
ject at that moment, so Maurice was
forced to seek his room in a very un-
satisfied frame of mind However, as
he thought, here was one mystery
about to be explained, and that was a
comfort. AS Jen prophesied. David
did not return to dinner and Maurice
had a tete-a-tete with his guardian.
But they talked of Indifferent things,
and 1t was not until they were once
more in the smoking-room that the
MAJOR cohsehteu " SPedh On the SUD
ject of Mrs. Dallas strange conduct.
Now, my boy, I'm ready to ell
-" Here Jen stopped and looked
blankly at the wall
THE stick" gasped Jen, pointing a
shaking hand at the wall ''The death
wand!"
Maurice looked-the devil-stick was
gone!