The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-01-26
A Strange Experience.

l u1HOIIidl cOHultlOnS OF the nlnQ
The trend of thought had been to
ward that bofderland where the ma
] tural nlerges into the supernatural
or at least takes on certain myster
ious characterics. Probably all sucl
manifestations may be explained b,
natural laws, and will be better APP
preciated when the suspected sixth
sense reaches higher state of de
velopment; but the uncertainty o
their operation lends a delightful
mystery to their discussion.
Intervening following this desultory
lecture on psychology, my chum, Ell
len Fay, and myself threw aside oul
German grammars and lexicons with
Our lessons half prepared, and in
study gowns and slippers drew our
easy chairs to the CRATE to discuss
further the fascinating study in alb.
normal conditions of the mind. An
hour or more had passed in CONVEX.
sation, when, with the sort of feeling
that makes children creep close to
the brightest spot by the Preside af-
ter the recital of some thrilling ghost
story, we drew little closer to the
fire with a side glance at the half
open door, and the long dark cor
ridor outside. We sat silent for lit
tie while when Ellen said in a slow
dreamy fashion:
eyes, it is very strange"
"What is stranger" I questioned
sharply.
Ellen started.
81 thought you were speaking Of
Mr.. and Mrs. Kimball," she said,
looking at me with strangely brilliant
eyes.
81 was thinking of them,'' Ireplied,
"but l did not speak. 1 was think
ing how strange it is that so hand
some a man should have married a
woman SO exceedingly plain"
Ellen turned pale.
"Were you truly, MATTER" 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 spo-
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 a
bang that sent the echoes trembling
down the silent hall.
"Come, Ellen, let's go to bed. You
look like aghost, and certainly feel
like one after such an unearthly even
ing. I believe l prefer normal to alb
normal manifestation, myself" and I
hustled around with unusual energy
to make preparation for retiring.
Ellen reused herself, toe, 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
us.
The night was still, soft winter
night, with a full moon shining upon
the spotless snow. We loved to lie
with the moonlight streaming into
the room, and l knew Ellen's strong
nerves must be unusually tense when
she said fretfully.
Cant you draw the blind down,
Matte, l can't sleep in this insufera-
BILE light"
reached out for the cord when
she sat up in bed, her eyes shining,
her hands cold and the vibration of
q tremendous will-power in her voice.
"It's no use, Matte, / must go.
It's the very height of absurdity, but |
| can't help it"
$50! go where?" l asked, all my
sharpness and latent common sense
aroused.
Somebody wants me down there
near the bridge, l must go, Matte,
| must CO."
/ demonstrated in vain. I did not
soften my opposition with any SYM
patty for her ridiculous notion. My
will was the stronger and / could usu-
ally persuade her into my way of
but to all my arguments
she made no reply. She got up and
began to dress.
Il wish you would go with me,
Matte" she said coolly. "You know
am such a coward"
was dressing, too, as fast as my
fingers would let me, for
Inn free to confess that my nerves
lad completely surrendered.
IN go of course, if you CO." l
'aid, "but I'll refer the preceptress
% you for an explanation, if the fac
llty get hold of this escapade."
Ellen said nothing in reply but
out cloaks, overshoes and
ong hooded water-proffs from the
,loset. In a few moments we were
creeping stealthily through the halls
With our hoods drawn close around
our faces, we exchanged the darkness
Of the corridor for the brightness of
;he moonlit walk.
We made our exit through asmall,
private door, opening into the kitch-
n garden, and we were obliged to
limb the high, close fence surrounding
t to get into the street. Muffled up
rs We were it was not an easy per-
butwe finally accomplished
t.
Once upon the street we walked
'api lily but silently toward the little
bridge which Ellen spoke of, a slight
structure thrown across o ravine,
which a few rods below opened upon
jhe river.
AS we reached the bridge we saw
nan coming swiftly toward us. Ellen
,eized my arm with a clutch that
eft it's mark for several days, but 1