The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1884-09-13

"Trumps at last :" he chuckIed.
"'lrumps at last ~
Half an hour later Miss AnnersIcigh
returned, somewhat more composed,
and, while finishing her interrupted re-
past, she conhdcd to Mr.. Barstead the
cause Of her emotion.
Poor Mir Hartley was 4 spirituaIist, "
she said, and we used to discuss the
subject; but I was always sccptical till
now. 1t is evident that you are a
medium
Mr.. Barstcad owned that it was all
very strange, but added that if it were
agreeable to bis hostess, he would be
most happy to stay a day or two for
the purpose of trying to obtain further
communications.
The very afternoon he was seized
with a peculiar Trembling fit while sit
ting at the table, and proceeded to
write as fin dream.
Miss Annersleish again recognized
the handwriting, and, though the mes
sage it conveyed was somewhat vague,
it contained illusions to private mat
ters which 4 stranger Ike Mr.. Barstead
could not have known. The messages
increased at every sitting, though Miss
AnnersIeigh remarked that the CALI
graphic accuracy was not continued.
Mr.. Barstead regarded the whole
business as puzzle.
He seemed in no way eager to eNpe-
dite matters until the morning Of the
fourth day. Ga the previous evening a
message had been received from the
spirit of the defunCt Curate, implying
delicately that the medium was in need
of aid, but his holiness of soul pre-
vented his asking for it. Mr.. Barstead
had made 4 practice of handing the
messages direct to Miss Annersleigh,
instead of himself reading them, On
finding that some Of them were of an
exceedingly private character-a del
icacy which Miss Annersleigh did not
fail to appreciate. OF course, there
fore, he was quite ignorant of the ma
ture of this particular communication,
and when, neNt morning, the old lady
presented him with a handsome cheque,
he was fairly overcome with emotion.
He now remembered the cause he
had at heart, and seeing the cheque
book on the table, advanced the claims
of his society" and obtained cheque
for $50. Then he reluctantly left, but
promised to be back in two days at
most.
Miss Anncrsleish occupied the ted
ium Of his absence writing an account
Of the remarkable manifestations for
the Society for P5ychical Research.
But it was never sent, as circumstances
transpired which caused her to insti-
tute inquiries respecting the departed
medium, such inquiries being rendered
the more urgent by reason Of his con-
tinued abserce, and by letter from
| the ecclesiastical introducer to whom
she had written, in which he disclaimed
any knowledge of Mr.. Barstead.
The matter remained a mystery for
some weeks. until an old servant called
to ask if she could be taken back into
service, as her intended husband had
written that he had been unexpectedly
called to America, and the date ofhis
return was most uncertain" On being
given a description of him, Miss An
nersleish discovered to her astonish-
ment that he bore a strong resemblance
to Mr.. Barstead. She venturcd to
| suggest that they were one and the
| same person, but the old domestic was
most indignant at the idea, adding that
She MAS certain her ''Robcrt" could not
have been guilty Of such an imposition,
as he was 4 re1igiously disposed man,
and 4 great admirer Of poor dear Mr..
Hartley, whose paths he always told
her he intended 10 folIow.-L0ua0n
Truth.