Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-14

ODDLY enough, l hear Etwald. thar "
was you who made her ILL.,"
Really" said Etwald, quite self
possessed. Il suppose Mr.. Aylmer told
you so, I thought as much" he con-
tinued, as Jen nodded He saw me
calming Didos agitation when / ar
rived to ask Mrs. Dallas for her
daughters hand This negress is hys-
terical, and on that day she happened
to be so. l quieted her, yet Mr. Ayl-
mer accuses me of having caused her
Illness"
Il don't know anything about It. Et-
wald; but truth to tell, Maurice dees
not like you!"
Because prophesied i'll concerning
him!"
'Oh, that was rubbish" said Jen,
contemptuously, You didn't mean t."
Didn't l. Wait and see!"
After which Etwald bowed his Wis
itor politely to the door of the gloomy
old house which he occupied in Dean.
minister, and Jen returned home, quite
baffied as to what could have become
Of the devil-stick Maurice still held
wand, but Jen's inquiries proved that
the negress had not been out Of the
house on the night in question.
Then 1t must have been Batterseai"'
said Maurice, decidedly. He Is a
friend Of Dido's and pensioner of
Isabella's I'll find out IL he stole the
stick for the negress or for DR.. Et-
wald:'
This was easier said than done, as
MRS. Dallas would not allow Maurice
to set foot In the house. Still Maurice
hoped to learn the truth from the
tramp himself, hope that proved fu-
tile also. Battersea had gone on one
OF his begging excursions and for
quite week was not seen in the
neighborhood of "Ashantee." Then he
suddenly made his appearance at the |
house. and asked to see Maurice. On |
being led into the hail. Aylmer came
out to speak with him. and after a few
words he took the old man into the |
library. Jen, who was rather curious
to know what Maurice might learn |
from the disreputable old scamp, wait
ed patiently for the termination Of the /
interview. AS Aylmer did not reap
pear, he sought the library, and found
the young man alone.
Where is Battersea?" asked Jen.
round. What did he wish to
see you about?"
He heard that accused him Of
taking the devil stick" explained Maui
rice, "and came here to exculpate him
self. He is quite innocent He didn't
take the devil stick"
Then who did?'
I'll tell you that morrow"
Why not to-night?" asked Jer..
sharply.
Because I have a suspicion, which
cannot prove at present. Battersea
rave me a hint, upon which l am de-
ermincd to work. Tonight l may
earn the truth"
From whom?"
Don't ask me, Uncle Jen; cam. {
nswer you yet" !
Wen, just as you please, but you
re as mysterious as David"
Why, what about David?"
Only this, that he has gone up t..
own without bidding me good-by,
ave in this short note. can't under
tand such conduct"
Nor l." said Maurice. stretching out :
is hand. Please let me read the
ote, Uncle Jen. wish to see precise !,
Z how 1t is worded."
The note which the Major handed {
yer was curt to the verge Of rudeness. :
merely stated that the writer had I
one away for a couple of days on r
usiness, and would be back as soon
) possible. Maurice did rot wonder
nat Jen was annoyed at receiving
lch missive from one whom he re-
arded in the light of a SON.
The fact 10 David has not been
ute himself since this trouble about
ISABELLA" he said, gravely, and he
links it best to go away for a time.
ou know how he tortures himself
YER trihes."
This love business Of you two
oung men is getting to be anything
ut trifie," said Jen, testify. What E
etween the lot Of you and Etwald. /:
lere seems to be nothing but trou- +
lie. l wish you'd marry the girl, Mau.
ce. and have done with it."
Ito be continued)