Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1910-02-11
-- ~11~~11~S-S~NS~~N
yuApTER uI.-(Continued.)
BY tho Author Of
"ThA Mystery OF q Hanson Cab" Etc.

/ SIlAI IIiiS ILL.,. t'onlihueu'J .
On the day after the Majors dinner
party, Isabella was sitting in the YER
anda with a book open on her lap and
Dido standing gravely near her. Mrs.
Dallas in the cool depths of the draw
ing-room, was indulging in an after
luncheon siesta. The sunlight poured
itself over the velvet lawns, drew forth
the perfumes from the flower beds, and
made the earth ~languorous with heat.
In the veranda all was cool and rest
full and pleasingly silent. Isabella, in
her white dress. looked beautiful and
pensive; while Dido, in reddish-hued
robe, with a crimson kerchief twisted
round her stately head, cleaned in the
semi gloom like some gorgeous tropi-
cal. bird astray in our northern climes.
Both mistress and maid were silent.
1t was Dido who spoke first. She
noticed that the eyes Of her mistress
constantly strayed in the direction OF
"Ashantee,' n with the jealousy be-
gotten of deep affection, she guessed
that h girls thoughts were fixed up
on Maurice. At once she spoke re-
proachfully. and in the grotesque ne
gro dialect, which, however. coming
from Dido's mouth, INSPIRED no one
with merriment.
AHA, missy said she, in deep gut
tural tones. you tink OBJ dat yaller-
ha'r mani"
Maurice! Yes, I'm thinking about
him; and you know why"
Dfdo's fierce black eyes flashed out
a CLEAN Of rage, and she cursed Maui
rice audibly in some barbaric tongue
which Isabella seemed to understand.
AT all events she interrupted the wom-
ans speech with IN imperious gesture
No more Of that, Dido You know
thai l love Maurice; I wish to marry
him. Why are you so bitter against
him 2"
He take you from me-"
Well, IL / marry anyone the same
thing will happen" responded Isabel
la, lightly; and surely. Dido. you do
not van me to remain a spinster all
my life."
No, missy, no! You marry, an ole
Dido am berry pleased. But dat yal-
ler-ha'r man, 1 no like him"
w are engaged"
Your mudder. she say moi"
Nonsense! She likes Maurice her
SELF replied Isabella, ~uneasily. Maui
rice wants u engagement kept quiet
Tor the present, but when I do tell Ma
" SOAA dAu lily InOCQcT, i am sure nell
ther of them will object"
HIN, we see, missy, we see," said
Dido. darkly. But why you marry
dis man I no like?"
Because ! marry to please myself,
not you," said Isabella. sharply. "Oh. 1
Know your thoughts, Dido; you would
like me to marry David Sarby. The
idea! as II he a compare with Maui
rice!"
Wrong, missy. I no wish dat man."
Then DR.. Etwald-that horrid,
gloomy creature!"
Him great mani" said Dido, SOL
emnly. Him berry-berry great!"
i don't think So" retorted Isabella,
rising. OF course. I know that he is
clever, but as to being great. he isn't
known beyond this place. She walked
20 the end of the veranda, and stood
Tor a in the glare of the sun
Shine. Suddenly an idea seemed to
strike her. and h turned towards the
negress.
Dido. you wouldn't like to see me
b wife Of DR.. Etwald!"
Yes, missy. Him berry big great
man! He lub you. He told old Dido
So"
49, = 0SOAAAo W AAdt0 0S6H very COnf-
DENTAL" said Isabella, s%cornfully, ..and
from what I have seen, Dido. he has
some influence over you"
NO." said the negress.. But while her
tongue uttered the denial, her eyes
rolled uneasily round the lawn. as
though dreading some invisible presp-
snce. mo. missy. Dido a great one.
you know. She no 'fraid Oh dat doc
tor; but him big man, missy: you mar
~ hint"
Il love Maurice!"
You nebber marry him, missy, Neb-
Der, nebber! I make de spell I know.
Dc spell say dat doctor he marry youIr
We'll. Dido, we will see. And now
Che never finished what she was
about TO say. for at thai homent Dido
stretched out one arm. Across the lawn
there crept q wien, g -haired little
man, with q cringing amer. He was
white, but darkish In the skin. and
there was something negroid about his
ehce. This dwarfish little creature was
. tramp. who had become a pensioner
Of Isabellass. He a attached himself
- her like some faithful dog, and rare
" failed to present himself at least
enco . day.
What his real name wal nobody
knew, but he said that he was called
Dattersa. He was c~ringing. dirty. and
an unpleasant object to
look upon: but Isabella was sorry for
the creature, and aided him with food
and q trifle Of money. 1t may be here
mentioned that Battersea, although he
nothing OF Obi, was terribly
afraid Of Dido. Perhaps some instinct
the negro blood-for he undoubtedly
had something African in his veins
him fear this unknown priestess
Of fetish-w worship.
well. Battersea," said Isabella,
kindly. how are you to-day?
Very well. lady, very well. indeed.
met Mr.. Aylmer. and he gave me a
dollar"
That was enero of him, But,
because I said that a certain lady
.Now. now" laughed Isabella, no
more Of that nonsense. Battersea." h
turned and ran along the veranda into
ths house. The tramp and the negress
were alone.
What de doctor say?" said Dido. In
= low-voiced whisper.
Two words. The d~evil-stck."
The negress started, and threw up