The sun. [volume] (Morris, Stevens County, Minn.) 1882-1895, 1889-11-14
A STRANGE EXPERIENCE.
M FANNY KENNIsH EARL.


where we strayed away from the lesson
proper to certain facts and theories relating
to abnormal conditions OF the mind. The
trend of thought had been toward that Dor
der land where the natural merges into the
supernatural, or at least takes on certain
mysterious characteristics. Probably all
such manifestations may be explained by
natural laws, and will be better appreciated
when the suspected sixth sense reaches
higher state of development; but the un-
certainty of their opinion lends delightful
mystery to their discussion.
The evening following this desu TORY lee
ture on psychology, my chum Ellen Fay,
and myself threw aside our German gram
mars and lexicons with our lessons half pre-
pared, and in study gowns and slippers
drew our easy chairs to the crate to discuss
further the fascinating study in abnormal
conditions of the mind. An hour or more
had passed in conversation, when, with the
sort of feeling that makes children creep
close to the brightest spot by the tireside af-
ter recital of some thrilling ghost story
we drew little closer to the fire with a side
glance at the halfopen door, and the long
corridor outside. We sat silent for Ii tile
while when FL len said in slow, dreamy
| fashion:
Yes it is very strange"
"What is strange2" questioned sharp
| ly.
Ellen started
II thought you were speaking of Mr. and
Mrs Kimball," she SAID, looking at me with
| strangely brilliant eyes.
Twas thinking of them," replied, "but
l did not speak. 1 was thinking how
lofr - hot a
have married a woman so exceedingly
plain
Ellen turned pale.
Were you truly Mattel" she said. 81
know, now, that you did not speak, but that
| thought was, somehow, presented to my
mind as clearly as if you had actually spok-
ken"
This was bringing our psychology studies
too near home. shook off the little shivers
that were trembling down my spine, and
rushed to the half open door, shutting it
with bang that sent the echoes trembling
down the silent hall.
Come, Ellen, let's go to bed. Tou look
like ghost, and l certainly feel like one af-
ter such an unearthly evening. believe I
prefer normal to abnormal manifestations,
myself" and hustled around with unusual
energy to make preparations for retiring.
Ellen aroused herself, too, and we had
soon disposed Of ourselves for the night, as
we supposed; but we both lay restless and
wakeful, not daring to talk lest we should
revert to the fascinating subject which had
already unnerved us.
The night was still, soft winter night,
with q full moon shining upon the spotless
snow. We loved to lie with the moonlight
streaming into the room, and knew Ell ems
strong nerves must be unusually tense when
she said fretfully
Cant you draw the blind down, Matte
l can't sleep in this insufferable light"
reached out for the cord when she sat
up in bed, her eyes shining, her hands cold
and the vibration of a tremendous will
power in her voice.
cts no use Matte, I must CO. It's the
very height of absurdity, but I can't help
it."
GO! go whereof asked, all my sharp
ness and latent common sence aroused.
Somebody wants me down there near the
bridge. must go, Matte, must 60"
l demonstrated in vain. did not soften
my opposition with any sympathy for her
ridiculous notion. My will was the strong
or and could usually persuade her into my
way of thinking; but to all my arguments
she made no reply. She got up and began
to dress.
II wish you would go with me, Mattie,"
she said coolly You know am such a
coward
was dressing too, as fast as my tremb-
ling fingers would let me, for am free to
confess that my nerves had completely sur
rendered.
"I'l go, of course, if you CO." I said, "but
I'll refer the preceptress to you for explana-
ton, if the faculty get hold of this esca-
pade."
Ellen said nothing in reply but brought
out our cloaks overshoes and long hooded
water-proofs from the closet. In a few mo-
ments we were creeping stealthily through
the halls, with our hoods drawn close around
our faces, and thick wells ready to put on
when we exchanged the darkness of the
corridors for the brightness of the moonlit
walk.
We made our exit through small, private
door, opening into the kitchen garden, and
we were obliged to climb the high, close
fence surrounding it to get out into the
street. Mufled up as we were it was not
an easy performance, but we finally accom-
plished it.
but silently toward the little bridge which
Ellen spoke of, a slight structure thrown
across ravine, which a few rods below
opened upon the river.
AS we reached the bridge we saw a man
coming swiftly toward US. Ellen seized my
arm with a clutch that left its mark for sew
eral days, but was too excited to feel the
pain which such a grasp must have occa
,;o No o,aa oo1r
only meet what seemed to US, at that mo
ment, an awful destiny sweeping down upor
u.s. The spot was an intensely lovely one
for busy and populous city Behind US
, lay the college grounds quiet and deserted
with the angular buildings rising cold ant
,, forbidding among the leafless trees. II
front lay narrow, gloomy street while al
our left the dark river roared foaming be
> tween the rows of great factories and mills
No policeman was in sight, not a creature
disturbed the silence of the midnight excep
our trembling selves and the man comm.
toward us with such reckless haste. H,
did not see US until quite near and then half
stopped with muttered imprecation; blu
quickly collected himself and walked rapid
7 ly past us. The moonlight fell full upon hi
face for the moment that he stopped, ant
Ellen's grip upon my arm frightened. N
wonder. 1t was Mr. Kimball. We wake,
slowly until he had turned around corner
out of sight, and then we turned and raj
,, like pair of frightened rabbits We clam
bered over the kitchen garden fence wit
, more haste than dignity, stole in through
) the little door and crept like a couple o
3 sneak thieves up 10 our room.
d.. II am glad we are out of that scrape,"
4 gasped.
: Ellen smiled peculiar SMILE
J "hnd I, too" she said.
i We went to bed again, and to sleep thi
time. The next morning the sun rose a
= usual; the cold gray of the morning tone,
down the high coloring of the midnight ad
venture, and the ordinary routine of worl
:; began again with nothing out of the usua
u way except that Ellen and both answered.
u ''unprepared'' in German. The professo
| ID Sc