Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1910-01-27


Maurice noted the gaze, and felt en-
ragged at all it implied
In plain words Etwald intimated, in
a yelled manner, that Isabella was a
nervous subject, over whom he could
obtain influence, if he SO chose, by
means of hypnotism."
You have been in the West Indies,
doctor" asked Maurice bluntly
L have been all over the world, Mr..
Aylmer," parried EtwaId, dextetously.
DO you know anything of Voodoo-
Worship"
L know something of most things"
assented the doctor But confess I
take but little interest in African bar
barities"
"Oh! what about Dido and her meet
ing you?"
I have explained that to the best of
my ability" responded EtwaId, cold
~, and now, Mr.. EtwaId, as our hos
tess is approaching, you must excuse
my replying to any further questions
If you want further insight into my
| character, call upon me at my home"
That I shall certainly do" said
Maurice for he was resolved to learn
all he could about this strange man, so
! that he could protect Isab bella from his
arts.
All" said the doctor, with irony.
I'VE shall see if you will venture so
far"
Before Maurice could take up the
implied challenge, which threw doubts
upon his moral courage, Mrs Dallas
advanced heavily to meet her visitors.
Isabella had already fitted like a white
butterfly into the drawing room; and
her mother received the two young
men alone. Her reception was, as US
ual, ponderous and vague.
so pleased to see you, Mr.. AyImer
DR.. Etwald, | am charmed. 1t Is a de-
lghtful day, is it not? Reminds one
of Barbados"
IT have never been in Barbados !"
said Maurice towards whom her Ian
guild gaze was directed. But DIT. Eft
valid may be able to answer your
question, Mrs. Dallas!"
'I know the West Indian islands"
observed Etwald, as they walked into
the house, and this day does remind
me little of the climate there; but
it is scarcely hot enough"
NO" murmured Mrs. Dallas, sinking
into a large chair. You are right. I
have been in the sun all the morning,
and only now am I beginning to feel
warm. I shall certainly go back to
Barbados"
Mrs. Dallas had made this threat so
many times that nobody paid any at
tention to it, and, not expecting an an
swer, she began to fan herself slowly.
! Through her half-closed eyes she
Etwald. With an instinct of a woman,
| she guessed that something important
had brought the doctor to see her; he
was not a man to waste his time on
visits of ceremony.
Now Mrs. Dallas was secretly afraid
Of Etwald, as she had received hints
| from Dido that the doctor knew more
about secret things than most people.
| She dreaded lest his visit should por-
tend harm, and so, in some trepidation,
waited for him to speak But Etwald,
! guessing her frame of mind, took his
! time, and it was only when Isabella
| approached with some tea for her
mother that he broke the silence
Don't go away, Miss ballast" he
said, entreatingly. 4 have something
to say to your mother which concerns
YOU"
Isabella turned pale for she guess
ed what was coming. Etwald had
raised his voice. Mrs. Dallas, with
some curiosity, raised herself to look
closer at EtwaId, and he, seeing that
his auditory was attentive, prepared
to launch his thunderbolt
My dear Mrs Dallas" said he. in a
| =,
long time that my visits here have not
been made without an object. To-day
l come to ask you and your sweet
daughter a question"
Pray don't ask it," said Isabella.
better informed by EtwaId's glance as
to his purpose. 1T will only give you
pain"
I must risk that" said the doctor.
| slowly. Mrs. Dallas, I love your
| daughter, and 1 wish to marry her;
Miss Isabella, will you be my wife,"
Here Maurice set down his cup with
a crash, and strobe across the room
where he faced Etwald in no very
pleasant frame of mind.
1 shall answer that question, DR..
Etwald!" he said, loudly. Miss Dali
las shall not and cannot carry you.
She has promised to become my wife,"
isabella" said Mrs. Dallas. in an
aggrieved tone. rs this true?"
Perfectly true" assented Isabella
L love Maurice. I wish to marry
him. And slipping her arm within
that of her lover she prepared to face
the storm.
You are a disobedient girl" cried
Mrs. Dallas, making no attempt to
control her temper. You shall not
marry without my permission. Mr..
| Aylmer, l am astonished at you; 1 am
| disappointed in you. 1t is not the act
| of a gentleman to steal away the af-
fections of my daughter, without in
forming me of your intentions"
I had my reasons for not doing so,
Mrs. Dallas" replied Maurice quickly
| But I was about to tell YOU of our
! engagement when DR.. EtwaId fore
stalled me by making his unexpected
offer"
Unexpected, Mr.. AyImer!" smiled
Etwald. After my statement last
night?"
Unexpected so far as time and place
are concerned" said Maurice, firmly.
But as you have asked Miss Dallas
to marry you, take your refusal from
her own lips"
love Maurice. I intend to marry
him." repeated Isabella.
In that case said Etwald, rising,
L must take my leave, and shall be
content with that answer until such
time as you are free; then" he added,
coolly, I shall ask you again"
I shall never be free!" said Isabel
la, proudly.
"Oh, yes, you will; when Mr.. Ayl-
mer is dead!"
Dead" shrieked Mrs. Dallas. all her
| superstition reused by the word.
Come away from that man, Isabel
la"
'Mauricei dead" repeated the girl
| with a pale cheek.
The young man shrugged his Shout
ders.
Pooh! poohi some nonsense that
DR.. Etwald was talking about last