The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1878-05-31

knacks. Ventriloqusm was out Of the ques
ton. did not know what to make Of it. 1t
occurr to me to consult the library about
Illusions dreams 'spritualism, etc, and
! went to 1t at once. On the library table
lay collection of newspapers and periodi.
Gals, some of which were scientific, others
popular. There was an electrical journal
among the former, with an illustrated cover
which interested me. took it up, and il
opened at a marked page The mystery of
the sphinx was at once revealed On this
page was diagram representing the practi-
cal use OF new invention called the tele-
phone, an instrument for conveying actual
speech by means of electricity 1t vas the
first | had heard of the articulatng tele.
phone
saw it all now. Charley's brother Frank
was an electrician by profession, and be
had brought home with him two small Amer.
lean telephones. The girls had conceived
the idea of tricking me by this means, and
had got him to fix up telephone wire.
wiIltulty inclosed the little instrument in
the sphinx pn-cushion on the writir table.
NJ doubt they had the other telephone at
the other end of the wire in convenient
place, whsre they could use it without being
seen or heard and thus 10y speaking into it
they were enabled to act the Oracle of Tum,
since the telephone in the sphinx reproduced
whatever sounds they made This revela-
ton filled me with glee and triumph.
now recolecIed about the laughter at the be-
ginning, and sudden stoppage of the oracle
at the end of the conversation had had
with the sphinx and as did not doubt that
Rose llerrick played the oracle, imagined
that Ethel had suddenly ended the seance
by forciby stopping her mouth.
| went to my sitting room and examined
the sphinx and table. Sure enough, | felt
the hard frame of the telephone inside the
pin-cu shiop, and traced the wire, fine silk
covered wire, like thread, down the leg of
the table, under the carpet, aud up the wall,
till it joined the ordinary bell wire of the
room, which had been used a, part of the
telephone circuit
Evening cPme and the young ladies re-
turned. | met them with my usual manner.
They had had a splendid day, and so wished
| had been along with them. had quite
lost myself, moping up in the house all day.
The shooting party arrived soon after, and
we all spent com Portable, social evening
in the drawing rom, with music and con
vcrsaion.
When the ladies' hal retired for the eve.
night, was not long in following suit.
went at once to my chamber, aud took my
seat as quietly as possible beside the little
waiting table, and applied my ear to the
sphinx | could hear indistinct sounds, a.
Of speaking and occasionally little low
laughter. In few moments the SQUADS
became more distinct, and heard perfectly
as well as recognized the voices Of ihe speak
ers-Rnse and Ethel.
L wonder if he is in his room yet Z? said
X ise.
on, no, he can't be, said Ethel gen.
tlanen never break up all at once
Now, Ethel, after stopping me last night
conf-,. You do like Mr. Temples little
We'll, then, do like him-a little
And you don't care for Mr.. Haywood
not muchY
And don't care for Mr.. Haywood
much hut know who does.
This was indeed revelation to me. The
bool rushed into my tace, and my heart
papilatei so that feared that they might
hear it through the telephone.
'Who would have thought Mr.. tempt,
was poet?' said Rose.
slroye to hear more, but could only
make out distinct sounds. Suddenly it oc
CURED 10 me to make noise to attract the
attention, and inform them that had got t,
my room. flung myself heavily on th,
cay chair, and Aeaved a long hopeless sigh
oh, there he is! | card Rose say, in al
intense whi-pr r. Did you hear that groan
o. he is very bad
There Sas a period Of silence Then
lrty and solemn ton ), 1t was the voice o
the Oracle of Tum.
Child of mortas, it began, where al
thou'
. Oracle Of Tum, | replied, here am l.
'WouId>'t thou know TO whom thy dest
. ny is linked in the future? Wouldst tho
know the fate that hangs over thy love
I Wouldst thou lift the veil of the unknown
Tnou whose soul is yearuing for Il dsurl
ter of thy transient race, wouldst thou kno
e if she loves thee p.
Oracle of Tum, replied, in calm an
, measured accents, know that | am indifle
I ent, Know that a child of mortals that pa
a sionate aud feeble race which you seem
. despise, can also display the unshaken sci
a command of an immortal. solicit no rev
y lation from destiny; am content to wa
with tortitude. Oracle of Tum, | am indi
q ierent
n heard half suppressed 'Oh, my an
that was all. Need | say that was Il
: happlest of men?
= The next morning preserved my usu
! gravity at break fast, and read my lette
I diligently, but with agitsted thoughts. ID
d ring the forenoon found sn opportunity
r seek Miss Ethel in the garden, where s
:. happened TO be alone.
o Miss Ethel said, as We reached an
, Dor at the cnd OF the pear-tree walk, h
a strange cxprrio nee las, night.
G 'She bushed very deeply, and turn
}. aside her head.
g Did YOU ever hear of the Oracle of Tur
k There was no reply,
r Ethel | said, earnestly, taking her hal
| you know that love you. | am here
v ask you il you return my loye-to ask you
t. you will be my wife
- Elhel Drben was as true then as she h
y. ever been. took her in my srnis, and
y laid her beautiful head on my breast.
/, Al this moment there was light foot