The National tribune., 1878-04-01
III

Next morning when ! awoke with the genial sunshine
streaming into window, the event of the past night
seemed like a curious dream nightmare and almost
persuaded myself that had been the subject of waking
dream which common enough, although had never
experienced myself before. Still perfectly
satisfied with this explanation; the whole affair seemed
to me SO real / determined however to say nothing
about 1t any body and when Rose HerTck titted
again at the breakfastabe about ghosts, vowed
ter immunity from any of their clandestne visitations
thought observed suppressed smile her lips but she
only replied
''Ah, then Mr.. Temple I'm afraid the spirits think
they will make impression your hard legal SOUL
left alone the greater part of this day-the day
after Christmas In the morning the young ladies, Miss
Ethel and Miss Rose and some of the children paid
visit to neighborng family, MIR Haywood driving them
Charley Deben, his brother Frank, and went
shooting / remained at home having some letters
to write and wishing to be alone somewhat sullSy
and jealous Heywoods monopoly of Ethel during the
entire day She sat beside him the front seat of the
trap they very gaily together Rose Herrick
laughing and waving her hand back me as | stood
rather glumlN at the door found the drawing-r
empty when went indoors, and was not sorry for it,
lay down lounge and reflected my visit 1t had
been happy one, and yet an unhappy one Ia Ethels
company was happy and yet stung by the presence
of Haywood and the attentions he paid her. reasoned
with myself and to the conclusion that silly
my part and useless to be discounted by anything of
the kind ! convinced myself that ought TO act if
she more to me than Rose Herrick was spoil
ing my holiday by my absurd fancies and if could not
master myself, the left for town the better
Yes said TO myself, " will make my exit to-nor-
NOW, least / get away" Then fell
thinking about my uncanny experience with the sphinx.
was not satisfied that ii was an illusion of the senses
and yet could think of possible explanation of it, 1t
could not be trick, for there mechanism about
the little table, with its slender and two knicknac1s
Ventliloquisn, too, out of the question did not
know what TO make OF IT, 1t occurred TO me to consult
the library about Illusions dreams y sprtualisn =
&c, and went to it On the library table lay
collection OF newspapers and periodicals. some Of which
scientific, others popular There electrical
journal amongst the former with illustrated
which interested me. took it up and opened it at a
marked page The mystery of the sphinx was at once
revealed On this page diagram representing the
practical of new invention called the telepbone an
instrument conveying actual speech by of eectri-
city It was the first had heard of the articuatng tee
phone.
saw it all now Charley's brother Frank was an cleo
trican by profession and he had brought home with him
American telephones The girls had conceived the
idea Of trcbng by theiI MEANS and had got him to
fix up telephone wire for them, while they had skfuly
enclosed the little instrument in the sphinx pncushon
the wrngtable Nc doubt they had the other telephone
the other end of the wire in convenient place where
they could it without being heard, and thus
by speaking into they enabled to act the Oracle of
Tum since the telephone inside the sphinx reproduced
whatever sounds they made This revelation filed me
with glee and triumph now recolleced about the laugh
the beginning and sudden stoppage of the oracle
the end Of the conversation had had with the sphinx
and didnot doubt that Rose Herrc played the oracle
imagined that Ethel had suddenly ended the by
forcbly stopping her mouth.
went to my sttng-room and examined the sphinx and
table Sure enough felt the hard frame of the telephone
inside the pncushion, and traced the wire fine silk
covered wre like thread down the leg of the table,
der the carpet and the WALL till it joined the ordinary
bewre of the room which had been utilized part OF
the telephone circuit.
Evening came, and the young ladies returned ! met
them with my usual manner. They had had splendid
day, and wished had been along with them. had
quite lost myself mopng up in the house all day. The
shooting party returned after and we all spent
Portable, sociable evening in the drawing room, with
sic and conversation.
When the ladies had retired for the night, not
long in following suit went at to my chamber,
and took my seat quietly possible beside the little
writing table, and applied my to the sphinx. could
hear ndstnct Sounds of speaking and occasionally
little low laughter In few moments the sounds became
more distinct and heard perfectly well recognized
the voices Of the speakers--Isose and Ethel
81 wonder if hc is in his room yet ?' said Rose.
go no, he can't be- said Ethel gentlemen never
hraa nm all al once y