The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-08-31


were chatting in his apartments. We drifted
from one subject to another. finally ending
IN an argument on the merits of hypnotism,
when l discovered he was member OF the
LonGon Society of Theosophists and a
friend and pupil Of Nine. Blavatsky. This
society is composed Of some Of the savants
and scientific men of the day, and admis-
sion to membership Is almost an impoSsi-
bilty unless the fitness of the applicant
can be beyond a doubt. The story he then
related to me was the open sesame that
gained his admittance. As the proofs and
letters were in my possession, credence
III ust be given, no matter how strange and
unreal the evidence may seem. Before
commencing his story MIR. GOttSchalk took
from his dreSsing-table photograph case
and a package Of letters; lighting a cigar
etie, lie began:
As these portraits have a direct bearing
on TIE case be kind enough to examine
them closely. This is Lady Mary
Hrathcote. the other Mrs. Diana Herne."
Ii is sufficient to say that both ladies are
well known IN London society. The
identity OF Lady Mary viii be fixed by
those who remember the uprOar raised
among the English ton last year when the
titled lady travelled across the ocean attended
by valet. Her photograph shows a tall
most determined mouth and a strength Of
purpose and powerful will written in every
feature. Her friend, Mrs. Herne, is her
exact opposite, with all those yielding
virtues which are the usual accompaniment
Of fair women.
THE TRIUMYIRATE.
These ladies and myself, Mr.. Gottschalk
continued, constitute what we call the ''Tri-
umyirate," as we have worked and studied
together for years. Before l adopted the
stage as my profession l was junior partner
ia my fathers banking house. About that
TIME we had become deeply interested in
mesmerism, hypnOtiSm and other kindred
subjects, attending lectures and pursuing
our Investigations with the utmost zeal.
The first practical demonstration came to
Us during the London season. Attending a
dinner | found that the gentleman on my
lett seemed visibly affected by my pres
ence. The thought struck me that per-
haps he was under my influence, for he kept
his eyes fastened on me, following every
movement l made until it became embar-
RAISING.
Introductfons succeeding, as 1 had en-
tered just as the guests we're being seated,
| learned that he was John Townsend, a
teacher in a small school in Warwickshlre
and graduate from Oxford University.
as time went on the bond of friendship
grew stronger. ! believe he told me every
Important event n his life from his boy
seldom sees than that possessed by this
llaIL@a -nQEr1nd an artist with the LIE ana
ambition beng slowly crushed out Of him
by poverty. The struggles he made to free
himself from the bondage only tortured his
soul with their mpotency. After time l
noticed a gradual change. His letters
lacked the usual respondent tone; the
somber cOloTs of his existence were chang
ing for others OF more rOseate hue. Pick
ing out letter from the pile before him Mr..
Gottsehalk read:
Congratulate me, 1 am what l never
thought to be-supremely happy; life now
seems worth the living. l have gained the
love Of the best woman in all England. She
has never told Inc so; she can keep her lips
closed, but not her eyes and heart"
This was the last letter | received from
him, and it was not until the MichaelmaS
term that | next saw him, not without won
dering at his strange silence. Going down
Regent street l met him face TO face. L
hardly recognized the man; he was wreck,
thin ard haggard, his face all drawn as il
by some great mental agony.
TowNsEND's STORY.
Il couldn't put it on paper" said he,
s.. that is why l did not write" he unDur-
dened his very soul and told me every oc-
currence since last we had met-how shortly
after his return he had encountered Agnes
Vernon, who was stopping with an old
aunt beyond Coventry. She had been a
school friend and their intimacy had gradU-
ally ripeued into love. at least on his part
In the course of time they became separated
not to meet again for years
This long period had brought changes
TO US both. No longer light-hearted girl,
but a woman was Agnes. To my delight
she enjoyed my society, and never seemed
SO happy as when l was with her. AT
times her mood changed and then she
would avoid me for days in succession. l
thought this only woman's natural re-
serve and lived IN FOOLS paradise.
How well | remember the day l told
her / loved her better than my own life Z;
how | promised to work and live for her
and to succeed for her sake. l felt l could
accomplish anything with her at my side.
No answer came, save silent tear that
rolled down her face.
- Agnes, Agnes cried, for Gods
sake tell me what l have said or done to
make you look at me like that!
Her hand was like that of one dead !;
the chill almost stopped my heart-beats. l
felt a thousand things and could not utter
one At last the words came. She had
grown calmer.
blame me if you will. l fear my
weakness has undone both of US and my
only consolation is that the sorrow will fall
on both alike.
4" In moment such as this the time for
conventonalities is past | love you and
am not ashamed to tell you So You knew
ME in my childhood; then l was Agnes
Vernon. am Agnes Vernon now, but how
different God only knows! Those long
years brought me many things, husband
among others. Don't start said a huS-
band, one by the law only. | married
my cousin not for love, but money
was needed at home. Father be-
came involved, and hailed the offer for
my hand with delight. Mine could not
be the hand to dash away the only hope,
and so like thousands L bartered myself for
money. | endured the man at first and
thought happiness possible. Like many
other hopes this was dispelled. Look at
this and she barred her white neck. That
was done in one Of his merry moods. He
is my husband. brute though he be, and II
the bargain is bad one (and the laugh
sounded more like waiD the world is full
Of bad bargains better borne than told.
"'When / met you, after so long an alb
sence, i was starving. The old happy past
was so sweet, the present so bitter, that
not meaning to do wrong, have drl1ted
until it is too latep Closing her eyes
YEARLY, she began to talk of other matters
How or when left the place l cannot
tell; why am here in London is beyond
my recollection; the last few weeks are
blank"
ON THE BRINK OF RUIN.
With heavy heart, continued Mr.
Gottschalk, l placed him in tue railway
carriage. His face haunted me and fell
as if some dreadful calamity was about t.
oyertake me. In this manner month
slipped by. One evening, looking over my
mail that had been sent from the office tt
NV home, l saw letter in the handwriting
of my friend, post-marked bennington. 1t
read:
Have just returned from Coventry
Accidentally met Mrs. V. l assure
you had thought she was on the Continent
or should not have taken the risk. L fought
hard, but lost my self,controi ana Waikeu
home with her. That brute of a fellow has
subjected her to more indignities. l pray
every day that Providence will keep him out
of my way, or else there VIII be blood on my
hands. The poor girl is broken completely;
She chung to me in such abjeci despair that
us. L have promised to take her away
where, God only knows! Can it be wrong
Surely there can be no sin to remove her
from such Life. She Is no wife in the slghl