Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-03-17
CHAPTER II.-(Continued. ]

perience. Don't talk like this. Yol
are at my table, There is a stranger
or shall l say a friend, present."
Say a friend" observed Etwald
calmly, although 1 am about TO say
that which may cause these two young
gentlemen to look upon me as an en-
envy"
What do Tou mean?" asked Mau-
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
tion? Yes, admire Miss Dallas"
"And you, Mr.. Sarby, l can tell from
your attitude, from your look. you
love Miss Dallas"
David was taken aback by this
strange speaking
Yes. Ill do love Miss Dallas"
Il guessed as much" resumed Et-
wald. with a cold smile. Now it is
strange"
1T is strange that lady's name
should be thus introduced" said Jen,
annoyed at the tone Of the conversa-
tion. Let us drop the subject"
"One moment. Major l wish us
three to understand one another
here the doctor hesitated. then went
on in an impassive voice-"about Miss
ballast"
why do you speak of her?" asked
Maurice. fiercely, while David looked
'oweringly at Etwald
Because I love her!"
"You love her!"
The two young men burst out sim
hltaneously 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 a mysterious past, 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 a feeling
of rage and contempt against this in
terloper, who dared to make third
In their worship of Itabella. 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. 1t 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.
"Oh. because-because-
Never mind explaining, Mr.. Alymer
1 can guess your objection. I am 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 1 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. It
Is plain that we three men are in love
with the same woman. You can't blame
me, nor l you. Miss Dallas is a suffi-
ciently beautiful excuse for our mad
ness. l spoke out, simply because l
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
winl"
Nothing could be fairer than that"
said Jen. quickly; "but l agree with
you, doctor. that the subject has been
sufficiently discussed; but. indeed, If
,ou will pardon me saying so. 1t
should never have been begun. Let us
20 to the smoking room"
Thither the three young men went in
he wake Of the Major. It was a com
ortable room, with one wide window
which at the present moment was
pen. Outside the light of the newly
isen moon bathed lawn and trees and ! {
lowers in a flood of cold silver; and {
he warm radiance of the lamp poured
,ut rays of gold into the wonderful
white world without. The three men
at down in comfortable chairs.
Self contained as ever, Etwald look
d up at the wall near him, and SEEM
d to be considering a decoration of I
avage arms. which looked barbaric y
nd wild. between two oil paintings.
When Jen came back with the cigars,
is gaze followed that OF his guest. and {
e made a remark about the weap-
ms.
"All those came from Ashantee and 1
be West Coast Of Africa" said he.
Duching a vicious-looking axe This !
a sacriical axe; this murderous- !
,oking blade is the sword Of the exc
utioner Of King Koffee; and this" e
ere he laid his finger lightly upon a Z
lender stick Of green wood. with a 1
olden top set roughly with large tur- b
uoise stones, is a poison wandi" a
"A poison wandf" echoed Etwald. a
ldden light showing in his cold eyes. b
never heard Of such a thing" y
David. who was watching him, had
d instructive feeling that Etwald was a
illing q lie He saw that the man ?
yuld hardly keep his seat for his ca .
IFnsas 70 examine and handle the a