Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-02-10
sszsA - $500


Mrs. Dallas fears that II Isabella mar
ries anyone but David, her death will
take place"
Whose death? Isabena's or Mrs.
Dallas'?"
The latter You must know, Maui
rice" continued the Major, that Mrs.
Dallas, though well born and well
married is an extremely ignorant
woman. She was brought up mostly
by Dido's grandmother, who was the
most accursed old witch in Barbados.
This old bag instilIed into the mind o.
Mrs. Dallas all kinds of supersuuons'
In which she really believes. When
the grandmother died Dido became
nurse to Isabella, and private witcn OF
the Dallas household. She is clever
wonderfully clever-and she has con-
tinued her grandmother's system Of
terrorizing both Mrs. Dallas and Isa-
bella"
Yes; I can see that, Uncle Jen, and
it is for that reason 1 want to marry
Isabella. and take her away before her
mind is degraded further by that old
fury"
Well, the old fury sees what you
want my dear lad, and so she is deter
mined that Isabella shall marry David
and not you. To accomplish her aims
she went through some hocuspocus
aad discovered that if Isabella marries
you, Mrs Dallas will die
And does Mrs. Dallas believe that
rubbish ?" asked Maurice, incredulous-
ly.
Implicitly! tell you she is ignor-
ant and superstitious. Come what
may, she is convinced that your mar
riage with Isabella means her own
death: so you may rest assured, Maui
rice that she viii never never accept
you as her son-in-l law"
Il understand" said Maurice, with a
shrug. Tt seems hopeless to contest
this decision of a diseased and feeble
mind. I can understand Dido stop
ping my marriage, as she wants to re-
ain her sinful influence over Isabella;
can understand Mrs Dallas weak
md silly, being dominated by this ne
gro Jezebel; but I can't understand
Why David Is chosen as the future
ion-in-Iaw. If he marries Isabella, he
viii no more put up with Dido that 1
hould have done"
"Of course not; I can't explain the
eason." replied Jen, shaking his head.
But you know all that I know, Maui
ice: and you can see that it is nope
SIS for you to attempt to marry the
irl"
I'm not so sure Of that" retorted
Taurice; Il love Isabella, and come
hat may, I intend to make her my
ffe"
But what about me?" said a voice
Inside the open window; what about
e." And a moment later David, in
isty riding dress, stepped into the
,om. He looked disturbed and angry,
"a his strongly marked face bore
aces of agitation and haunting
oughts
Disturbed by the unexpected ap-
,aranee of David, and seeing from
expression that he was bent upon
aking himself disagreeable, Jen has
interposed to prevent a quarrel be-
cen tie two young men.
What, David? back again." he said,
loring the question asked by Sarby.
you did not stay to dinner?"
No replied David, shortly, Il
In't!" He flung himself into a chair
q resumed in a significant tone,
rs. Brance didn't ask me, and if she
4, l couldn't have accepted in this
SIS. Besides, I am not the man
ON she delights to honor. Now, if
urice had been there, Meg-"
Don't couple my name with Meg's,'
errupted Maurice, sharply You
3w quite we'll"
It's no use your assuming that in
ent air. Maurice You have not
lted Mag Well"
/ haze! How dare YOU say such a
lg? Meg knew that I was in love
il Isabella"
OH" said David, with a sheer. Il
rheard you arrange to marry her.
youll never do that while I am
q. or Mrs. Dallas either told
Dallas that l loved Isabella, and
said that nothing would give her
lter pleasure than to see us mar
lou shan't marry herr cried Nau-
angrily rising.
shauu said David. and rose also
soys' Boys" said Jen, annoyed
his quarrel, do not be so positive.
ON are both in love with the same
,an let the woman decide"
me has decided" said Aylmer
ply. She loves me-"
don't care two straws about that IS
David. coldly. Il have not spo-
to her get; but all the same I in
her to become my wife l give
fair warning, Maurice, that YOU
not to poach upon my preserves. "
our preserves. Confound your in
Get"
pom my word, David" said Jen.
that Maurice could hardly
for rage. you so too far The
owes Maurice and not YOU: and it
i be much more honorable for You
press your suit"
fon't care two pins for honor, Ma
/ love Isabella, and I intend to
y her. But become the wife of
ice she never shall; ia rather see
larried to Etwald."
10 third Richmond who is in the
scoffed Maurice. Well. he has
cd a chance as you. Dido sup
his pretensions; Mrs. Dallas is
champion. AS for me, have the
# Isabella, so I'm afraid of moth
you not?" said Sarby, with a
ar smile. Remember what Eft
said about your life in DEATH"
ont believe in that rubbish. Da-
nd l should be very sorry tC
you did
to that. l don't care about dis
the point" was the reply. "Our
eliefs are are own business. But
say that Etwald is a dangerous
10Th to YOU and to me-"
aresay." said Maurice, coolIy
more so, as believe he has sto-
devil-stick."
att" David made step for
nd stared at the wall His face
lite pale, and his hands trem-
spite of his efforts to control
The deviI-stick gone!" he
lrning on his heel Both you
must be careful, Maurice"
CHAPTER VIII
the reader may wonder at the
lent elements of this story. At
itchcraft, mysterious strangers
barrie women seem to be out OF