Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-01-20
CHAPTER II-CCoDtinued. ,


perience. Don't talk like this. You
are at my table. There is a stranger,
or shall / say a friend, present."
Say friend" observed Etwald,
calmly. although I 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 I say, Mr.. Aylmer! You
admire Miss Dallas?'
Why bring her name into the ques-
ton? Yes, I admire Miss Dallas
And you, Mr.. Sarby, can tell from
your attitude, from your look, you
love Miss Dallas"
David was taken aback by this
strange speaking.
Yes. III do love Miss Dallas"
I guessed as much" resumed Ell
valid, with a cold smile. Now it is
strange"
TT is strange that a lady's name
should be thus introduced" said Jen,
annoyed at the tone of the converse
ton. Let US drop the subject"
'One moment, Major. I wish US
three to understand one another
here the doctor hesitated, then went
on in an impressive voice-"about Miss
DaIlas!"
why do you speak of herr" asked
Maurice, fercely, while David looked
loweringly at Etwald.
Because / love her!"
You love her!"
The two young men burst out sim
ultaneousIy with the speech in tones
of sheer establishment, 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 of
twenty five-shOuld dare to love Isa-
bella Dallas was a thing unheard of.
She so young, so beautiful; he so SOM
Der, pale, and worn with intellectual
vigils: with 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 feeling
of rage and contempt against this in
terloper. who dared to make a third
In their worship of Isabella. 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
seat waiting for further developments.
"Oh, it is too absurd" said Maurice,
resuming his seat.
''Why?"
Etwald put the question with the
greatest calmness, stared steadily at
the young man, and waited for the re-
ply, which he knew would be difficult
to make.
"0h, 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 well 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 me?" said David.
You forget that am a 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
with the same woman. You can't blame
me. nor you. Miss Dallas is a suffi-
GENTLY beautiful excuse for our mad
ness. l spoke out simply because /
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 man
win!"
Nothing could be fairer than that
said Jen, quickly; but 1 agree with
you, doctor, that the subject has been
Sufficiently discussed; but, indeed, if
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 IF the Major. 1t was a com
Portable room. with one 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 flood of cold silver: and
the warm 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 as ever, Etwald look
ed up at the wall near him, and SEEM
savage arms. which looked barbaric
and wild. between two oil paintings.
When Jen came back with the cigars.
his gaze followed thai of his guest. and
he made a remark about the weap-
ons
"Au those came from Ashantee and
the West Coast of Africa said he.
touching a vicious looking axe This
looking blade is 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-
Quoise stones, is a poison wand!"
a poison wand!" echoed Etwald.
sudden light showing in his cold ewes.
4 never heard of such a thing"
David who was Watching him. had
an instructive feeling that Etwald was
telling lie. He saw that the man
could hardly keep his seat for his ca
gerness 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 is Uncle Jen's greatest
treasure, ne SAID, SmnlnS. he can
tell twenty stories about that innocent
looking camel"
tInnocent-looking, achoed Jen,
taking down the green wand. How
can you say such a thing? Look here.
Etwaid" and he laid the stick on the
table. No, don't touch it, man." he
added, hastily. there is plenty of
venom in it yet. 'Tis as dangerous as
a snake bite If you touch this slen-
der iron spike projecting from the end
you die"
Again David noted that the tigerish
light leaped up in the eyes Of Etwald,
but he had sufficient control of his
features to preserve a look of courteous
curiosity, He carefully handled and
examined the instrument of death.
It was little over a foot long. of a