Wichita eagle., 1888-04-15
THE MYSTERIOUS TOUCH.

Tin my researches through some Old manu-
scripts, I recently CHANGED upon the follow
Ding story As yet | cannot definitely fix the
authorship, but my suspicious point all in one
direction Should they be realized after fur
Their investigation, shall have no hesitancy
.n giving his name. Here is the story pre-
ciselv as it appeared in the manuscript, which
apparently has never before seen the light: j
at has long been theory Of mine that
there is natural explanation for every oc-
currence however out of the course of nature
1T may seem TO the casual observer. Acting
upon this theory | have devoted years to the
study of so called superEaturalism. Little
has been published upon the subject that /
have not read Ny library is filed with such
works as Owens Footballs on the Boundary
of Another World Bulwe;'s Strange Story
Davis Great Harmonia,' Edmonds' Spirit
ualism,' and the writings Of Swedenborg
From the weird legends of the Hartz noun
fains to DrUmmond's Natural Law in the
Spiritual World there is little with which
am not familiar. Anything bearing even in
directly upon supernaturalism or the spirit
world is Of interest to me-
''IThe story Of myths, fairies, ghosts and
COLLINS is one OF rare fascination. One en-
joys skilifully tod ghost story, even while
he laughs at the idea of ghost. Who does
not experience a thrill Of interest upon read
ing Dickens Thirteenth Juror THE Signal
man. or Bulwer's 'The Haunted and the
Hauntersn Human nature naturally inclines
to the love of the marvellous and super
natural, and the rehearsal Of such tales has
made certain writers famous.
81 cannot say that my study of super
naturalism has led TO any definite result I
have not made any remarkable discoveries,
but have had some experiences that myStilied
me. Among them was one of apparently an
inexplicable nature, which it is here my pur-
pose to relate
Il remember once, some years ago, while
seated in my study, bending over desk,
hand was laid upon my shoulder. Il was my
wifes custom my late hours bothered laura
TO rouse me at times III this manner, and
when turned in answer TO the summons, il
was with the expectation Of seeing her behind
my chair. Turning slowly abOut answered
Coming, Laura To my auiazemont The
room was empty! | had heard 30 football
no voice, but had merely felt TIE touch OF 4
hand upon my shoulder, gentle, it is true
light, as Laura's touch always is. but I'M
mistakable; I had not been in d0ze, it was
not fancy; L had been touched by hand
II confess that upon turning around and
finding nothing, ! was startled I sat a mo
ment in thought, seeking to bring the occur
renee within the range of comprehension
Ny brain was clear, every faculty active
Going to the door, | opened it and called up
the hallway III low voice:
"tLaurap
i "TIo answer
81 called again, Fay voice echoing strangely.
The hour was late. Laura was evidently
asleep.
II resumed my seat at the desk, but could
not continue writing Ny thoughts were
vague and scattered. The mysterious touch
upon the shoulder filed me with strange emo
lions. What explanation was there for -.
No human hand had touched me; had felt
the impress of a spirit hards Ridiculousl I
laughed outright st the idea Mystified, dis
satisfied, closed the desk, put out the light
and went up to my bedroom.
Lighting lamp that stood on the bureau,
] looked at Laura. She lay in sound sleep,
her calm, sweet face partly averted gently
reused her, had her sit up, assured myself
that she was thoroughly awake and then
asked:
u,
"'Fullv an hour she replied, looking at
me wonderingly. HAS anything happened,
GeorgeP
care you sure there is nobody in the house
but ourselvesp continued
"'Who could there be, George? Tell me
what has happened
Seeing my puzzled expression, she smiled,
looked at me quizzically and kissed me.
felt angry with myself for having walked her,
yet glad to have her sweet compa nionship.
Laura / began, conscious that l was
about to make a very foolish statement, 1
have just had an experience that l cannot
explain. You know what my views are on
the subject of supernatural
"She interrupted me with Laughs pies
ant, girlish laugh that did me good Taking
my hand in both her own, she said:
s'Oh, George, l really thought it was some
thing serious. Was il only ghostF
"'Pray be serious Laura. While l sat at my
desk a few moments ago, hand touched ME
on the shoulder, just as you have done hun
dred times More than that, Laura, it was
your touch
"'You fancied it, George
al felt the touch, Laura, as surely as feel
the pressure of your hands at this moment.
There was no deception; it was not delusion;
a hand touched me. Who was it. What
was itF
Laura glanced quickly over her shoulder,
as nervous people are apt to do when alone
In the house late at night
al wonder if the house is hauntedr she
queried, laughingly.
Il went to bed, but not to sleep. The Incl
dent, trivial rs it may seem, mystifed and
worried me. 1t called for an explanation,
which could not give There was no super
stitious fear to it, MY reason rebelled at any
but a natural solution of the mystery, and /
exhausted my ingenuity i'll enieavoring to
reach such solution. l reviewed the occur
renee over and over again. 1t is impossible
to picture here my unspeakable amazement,
when, touched upon the shoulder by soft
hand, turned and found behind me-noth-
inc! The mystery became 3 part of my
dreams.
"a few nights after this incident occurred
was again writing at my desk. a chill air
was blowing through the wire screen at nay
side. 1t had grown late, but not later than
it was my custom TO work. Without football,
voice or warning, the touch came again upon
the same shoulder and in the same manner.
felt it as plainly as l ever felt the touch of
human hand Quick as a fash tturned, risin;
to my feet TO prevent any possibility Of hid
ing or escape. The room was empty; tie
door remained closed as had left it.
did you ever turn fiercely 60 strike an
enemy back CT zen. and find nothingl Twas
The young fellows only answer was to
draw her closer and press kiss after kiss on
the fresh responsive hips, for the words were
sweet TO his ear.
Alas, though, they were heard by another,
and stung him into frenzy
The oad forrpar who baa .o,.,, -.