Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-05-19

concealment whence there was now NJ
retreat. Yet Dido was not satisfied
She did not trust those around her, an,
she was uneasy as to what might b.
the result of Jens pertinacity in in
Vestigating both the death of Mauric,
md the disappearance of the body
Thus perpleXed it occurred to her t
seek out and consult with DIR. Etwald
Il shall tell the master ALL" she NUT
tered, in her own barbaric dialect, "anC
ne VIII tell me what to do. The spiri
in the Voodoo stone will tell him."
Having come to this resolution, She
went into the house to ask, or rather
to demand, permission to visit Dean.
minister. That she was about to cal
upon Etwald, the negress did not think
it necessary to tell Mrs. Dallas There
were matters between her and the doc
| tor of which Mrs. Dallas knew moth
ing, which she would not have under
| stood if she had known. When she in
quired, Dido merely hinted that such
secrets had to do with Obi, when the
superstitious nature of Mrs. Dallas i'm
mediately shrank from pursuing an in
quiry into what were-even to this civ
ilized so-called Christian woman-sa-
cred mysteries.
But while Dido goes on her dark
path and takes her way towards Et-
wald in his gloomy house at Deanmin-
ster, 1t is necessary to return to the
doings of Major Jen. On leaving 1.-THE
W1gwam" he returned forthwith to his
own house with the intention of re-
peattng to David the conversation
which had taken place between him
self, Dido, and Isabella On his arri-
val, however he learned that David
had gone out for walk, and that Meg
Brance was waiting for him in the Ii
brary At once the ever-courteous
Major FASTENED to apologize to his Wis
itor.
MY dear Meg, am so sorry to have
been absent when you called. I hope
you have not been waiting. long!"
only half an hour!" replied Meg, in
a low, grave voice. Il should have
waited in any case until your return,
as l have something important to say
to you"
The Major looked inquiringly at his
visitor. She was a tall and stately
woman, with fair complexion, steady
blue eyes, and hair of deep red shade.
Although close on 25 years of age, she
was still a spinster, as much to the
annoyance of her mother-a match
making matron-she had hitherto de-
clined the most eligible offers for her
hand. Her reasons for such refusals
she would not state, but Jen-from
certain observations-had long since
guessed the truth. Meg was deeply in
love with Maurice Aylmer and it was
for his sake that she remained single
Whether she knew that the young man
loved Isabella Dallas it is impossible
to say; but. at all events she showed
him very plainly the drift of her de-
sires. The very Indifference Of Ayl-
mer had rendered her love more vio-
lent and persistent. What would have
been the conclusion of this one-sided
love it is difficult to conjecture; but
the death of Maurice had brought this
and all other things to an abrupt con-
clusion.
Meg was dressed in black out of re-
gard for the dead man, and she looked
worn, redeyed, and very detected. But
in coming forward to greet the Major,
her fine blue eyes lighted up with the
fire of hope, and it was with something
of her old petuosity-quenched since
the death of Maurice-that she gave
him her hand and repeated her last re-
mark.
II have something to say to youp,"
she said, quickly. Something likely
to help you in your investigation"
Concerning the theft of the body?"
asked Jen. eagerly.
mo, with regard to the murder"
What is it?"
II will inform you in a few minutes"
replied Meg. But first tell me If you
have found out anything likely to re-
veal the truth"
mo" Jen shook his head mourn
fully. Il am completely in the dark
and so is Inspector Arkel. The whole
case is a profound mystery"
We'll mysteries. even the most pro-
found, have been cleared up before
1ow, Major. Come, tell me precisely
now the matter stands, and l may be
able to help you"
i
yes, I do; and it is to tell that |
something that l have driven over to-
lay. Well. now, Major, let me know |
Ill about the matter from the begin |
ling. I have heard nothing but the |
most garbled accounts, and it is neces-
AIRY that l should know the exact
ruth"
I shall tell it to you," replied Jen,
With some hesitation; but 1 am afraid |
shall give you pain"
Il guess what you mean-Miss Dali
as"
Maurice wanted to marry her"
Il know, 1 know" replied Meg, while
wave of color passed over her fair
ace.
You do" cried Jen, in surprise.
And who told you?"
Mr.. Sarby."
"Ohi" The Major considered a mo-
nent. and his thoughts were anything
,ut benevolent towards David. Il can
-uess why he told you. In the mean
ime, let me state the case. Maurice
vas killed on the high-road by means,
8 I verify believe, of the devil stick.
lou know about that, Of course?"
Yes; read the report of the in
uest, and I have heard rumorE