The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-05-12

keep her boxed up in the country until she comes to her senses, and that they leave town on Friday; that Campbell has suddenly gone abroad, without leaving any address, etc., etc. Combining all these rumors with cer- tain condolences of yours, have come to the conclusion that you are in an uncommonly tight place." .
 "For heavens sake, don't torture me with your infern6 chaff," ex- claimed Kennard, throwing himself with considerable violence into a chair. Can you help me-advise me9'
 "Calm yourself, my dear fellow" said Virrel, with cool deliberation, "and we will discuss the matter. have a plan to propose"
 It was past midnight when the two men separated.
 "On Friday, then, at noon," were Virrels last words, as he grasped Kennard's hand in parting. "I will arrange it all."
 It was noon on the following Fri day. In Virrel's luxurious sitting room the glare of the sun was shut out by thick velvet curtains. A sil- yer lamp of curious workmanship burned on the table, shedding dim, ,un- certain light which scarcely defined the features of three people who stood near it-Virrel, Kennard, and Gladys Raynor. The latter was very pale, and seemed much agitated. As for Kennard. he looked exceedingly ill and indeed he was i'll. Virrel looked serious and preoccupied as usual.
 "It is too much for you," said Ken nard, addressing Gladys in low, un- steady tones. "You are trembling and nervous. We will put it off until another time, until -"
 "No, no, she interrupted him fever ishly. "There will be no other time. I do not know when we may meet again. Oh, quick-quick! We leave at two, and my father will be wait ing for me-"
 "Are you ready?" said Virrel sud- denly, from the other end of the room.
 Gladys seated herself in low chair, and Kennard bent over her.
 "Darling, you understand" he said. "Abandon your whole will to mine. You know how-how much is at stake."
 "Yes," steadily, 'I know-I under stand"
 He paused, then said with an effort
 "Gladys-look at mel"
 She obeyed. But Kennard was so agitated and unnerved that his usu- ally strong will failed him. After some time he gave up the attempt ill despair.
 "I cannot" he''said harshly. "I am idiotically nervous and unstrung"
 With an impatient exclamation Virrel put him aside and took the girls hand in his. But after a min- ute or two he dropped them, saying abruptly:
 q have no power over her. I tried once before. AS I told you, hers is one of those rare temperaments which only respond to the influence of one operator. Give me your hand, Ken nard, and for heavens sake keep cool. Wait-drink this," pouring out a glass of clear and sparkling liquid from an antique fagon on a side table.
 Five minutes elapsed. Then Ken nard withdrew his hand from Virrels, saying quietly:
 "I am all right now. I am ready"
 Gladys raised her beautiful eyes to his. The old dreamy spell came over her. In few moments she was in a deep trance.
 "Gladys," he said in a low, intense voice, "take hold of this," holding out to her piece of crumpled note paper, covered with sprawling, uneducated handwriting. land follow the life of of Marion Kennard."
 Her fingers closed over it mechan- ically. There was a brief silence then slight shiver passed over her.
 "Yes, Hsrcourt," she murmured. "I know what you would have me do. will"
 She answered clearly all the ques- tions Kennard put to her, Virrel meanwhile noting down her answers on sheet of paper. But sometimes she paused for almost minute before answering. Once she remained silent so long that Kennard felt his self-con- trol rapidly forsaking him. Then she said in a hushed voice:
 "I see her now-again. She is lying straight, and white, and still. She is in her coffin." With the last words she shuddered and became silent.
 "Gladys," said Harcourt in a voice which it required all his self-com- mand to keep steady, "look again and tell me what you see."
 "I see," she answered dreamily, "a crowd of people in the room. Their faces are hard and repellant, and their