The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1885-12-10
CARRISTON'S GIFT.
The Story OF an Occult and Mys-
terious Power.
The Danger to Which It's Possessor Wal
Subject. and How 1t WAS Used to
Discover the Lost-EyiI MachI-
nations Thwartsd.
Ey Hu1I Conway, Author Of "Ddrl; Boys.
Called Back" etc.
ART L-CoSTISCED.

he cared for her TO win social success,
her looks and bearing would insure it;
and from the great improvement which,
as have already said. / noticed in his
health and spirits. believed that his
marriage would make his life longer,
happier and better.
Now for my objection, which seems
almost laughable one. l objected on
the score of the extraordinary resem-
blance which, so far as man may re-
semble a woman, existed between
Charles Carriston and Madeline Rowan
The more l saw them together, the
more L was struck by it A stranger
might well have taken them for twin
brother and sister. The same delicate
features, drawn in the same lines; the
same soft, dark, dreamy eyes; even the
same shaped heads Comparing the
two, it needed no phreno ogist or
phys OgnOmist to tell You where one
excelled, the other excelied; where one
failed, the other was wanting. Now,
could have have selected wife for
with habits and constitution entirely
different from his own. She should
have been bright, bustling woman.
with lots of energy and common-sense
one vino would have ratified him
about, and kept him going-nOt a love-
ly, darE-eyed. dreamy girl, who could
for hours at stretch make herself su-
premely happy if only sitting at her
lovers feet and speaking no word.
Yet they were a handsome couple, and
never have l seen two people SO utterly
devoted to each other as those two
seemed to be during those autumn days
which | spent with them.
L soon had a clear proof of the close
ness of their mental resemblance. One
evening. Carriston, Madeline and L
were sitting out-of-doors, watching the
gray mist deepening in the valley at
our feet. Two of the party were. of
course, hand in hand, the third seated
al a discreet distance-not so far away
aS to preclude conversation, but far
enough off to be able to pretend that he
saw and heard only what was intended
for his eyes and ears.
How certain topics, which / would
have avoided discussing with Carriston,
were started | hardly remember. Prob
ably some strange tale had been passed
down from wilder and even more soli-
tary regions than ourS-sOme ridiculous
tale of Highland superst ton. no doubt
embellished and augmented by each
one who repeated it to his fellows.
From her awed talk soon found that
Madeline Rowan, perhaps by reason of
the Scotch blood in her veins, was as
firm 4 believer in things visionary and
beyond Nature rs ever Charles Carris-
ton in his silliest moments could be.
As soon as | could | stopped the talk.
and the next day, finding the girl for
few minutes alone, told her plainly that
subjects of this kind should be kept as
far rs possible from her future hus-
bands thoughts. She promised obedi-
ence. with dreamy eyes which looked
as far away and full of visions as Car
ristOn'S.
''By the by" | said, "has he ever
spoken to You about seeing strange
things?"
''Yes; he has limited at it."
i "And you believe him."
! ''Of course do-he told me So"
This was unanswerable, "a pretty
pair they will maker' l muttered, as
Madeline slipped from me to welcome
her lover, who was approaching. They
will see ghosts in every corner, and
gob!ins behind every curtain"
Nevertheless, the young people had
no doubts about their coming bliss.
Everything was going smoothly and
pleasantly for them. Carriston had at
once spoken to Madeline's aunt, and
obtained the old Scotchwomen's ready
consent to their union. was rather
vexed at his still keeping to his absurd
whim and concealing his true name
He said he was afraid of alarming the
aunt by telling her he was passing
under an alias, while if he gave Made
line his true reason for so doing she
would be miserable. Moreover, found
he had formed the romantic plan of
marrying her without telling her in
what an enviable position she would
be placed. so far as worldly gear went
A kind of Lord of Burleigh surprise no
doubt commended itself to his magma
tive brain.
The last day of my holiday came. l
babe long and sad farewell to lake
and mountain, and, accompanied by
Carriston, started for home. l did not
see the parting proper between the
young people-that was far too sacred
a thing to be intruded upon-but even
when that protracted affair was over, l
waited many, many minutes while Car
riston stood hand in hand with Made
line, comforting himself and her by re-
iterating "Only six weeks-siX short
weeks! And then-and them" Itwas
the girl who at last tore herself away,
and then Carriston mounted reluctantly
by my side on the rough vehicle.
From Edinburgh we travelled by the
night train. The greater part of the
way we had the compartment to our
selves. Carriston. as lover will,
talked of nothing but coming bliss and
his plans for the future. After awhile l
grew quite weary of the monotony of
the subject. and at last dozed off, and
for some little time slept The shrill
whistle which told us a tunnel was at
hand aroused me. My companion was
sitting opposite 10 me, and as | glanced
across 1T him nv attention WAS arrested |
py the same strange intense look which |
had on previous occasion at Bettws |
Y Coed noticed in his eyes-the same
fixed stare-the same obliviousneSs to |
all that was passing. Remembering his
request, l shook hi:n, somewhat rough |
~, back to his senses. He regarded me
for moment yacantly. then said:
Now | have found out what was
wanting to make the power told you
OF complete. could see her if 1
wished"