Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-24
CHAPTER XII

Astounded and Mortified, the Major,
with Isabella Dallas Clinging to his
arm, stood staring at the empty bed.
The candles were still burning, but
Jaggard had fallen from his chair, and
was lying, huddled heap upon the
floor. The one window of the room
was wide open, and the wind was
shaking a loose shutter to and fro. The
shock of the discovery was so terrific
that Jen, for once in his life. lost his
presence of mind. He was recalled to
his senses by the wild voice of Isa-
bella.
Maurice! Maurice! Where is hep"
she cried, leaving the Major and rush
ing towards the empty bed. You said
he was here-ny poor dead love: but
can't see him. Where is he? Where
is he?"
Jen turned his Mortified gaze on the
poor girl He did not know what 10
do. Isabella was in dangerous state
of hysteria. She had little on but
loose white dressing gown, and her
presence in the house at 3 o'clock in
the morning was enough to overpower
Jen's sense of the reasonable. indie
missing corpse. At this juncture the
much-needed aid came from without.
David Sarby rushed into the room.
He was half-clothed, pale as the
white dress of Isabella Dallas. and evil
IDENTIFY, from the wild look in his eyes
and quivering Of his neither din. badly
scared. Stopping short few PAGES
from the door, he held up the lamp
which he carried, to survey the aston
ishtng scene before him. The sight of
Jen tongue-tied and immovable. of Is
abella weeping on her knees by the
bedside, of the bed itself vacant of its
dead occupant-all these things were
calculated to shock even stronger
nerves than those of David Sarby.
Nevertheless, after a pause of sheer
establishment. he managed to stammer
out a question.
'Did-did she cry out?" he asked,
nodding towards the girl. 81 heard
shrek"
His presence and question unlocked
the Majors tongue.
Yes" he replied, in a hesitating
manner, as of one unused to speech
She came to the library window ten
minutes ago, having escaped from the
custody of her mother and Dido. Quite
hysterical, as you see, and bent upon
seeing our poor dead lad. To pacify
her 1 brought her here, but, as you
SEE
The body is goneI" cried David
hurrying towards the bed.
"Gonel gomez" moaned Isabella. rfs-
| ing. "Oh. my dear dead lover!"
"Jaggard!"
"There!" said Jen, pointing to the
| inanimate form of his old servant.
We must alarm the house" cried
| Sarby, in q Mortified tone, and there
upon walked swiftly towards the door
Before he could reach it the Major,
| having recovered his presence of mind,
| seized him by the arm.
No, mol" said Jen, hastily. DO not
| bring anyone here as yet We must
| think OF this poor girl, David. Take
| her home at once. When you are both
! out of the house shall give the alarm.
| You understand; no one must know
| that Miss Dallas has been in my house
at this hour"
| I quite agree with you,' said Da-
| vid, simply; and turning to Isabella.
he took her gently by the hand. Come,
Miss Dallas. This is no place for you"
Maurice" muttered Isabella, looking
| piteously at him.
| Maurice is not here. Come, Miss
Dallas; let me tsAke you back to your
mother"
My mother is so cruel" said Isabel
la, in a low tone. and I feel so ILL.,
she continued, raising her hand to
her loose hair. Yes, yes; I must GO