The great West. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1889-18??, 1891-12-04

most DeauJlIul creature ! had ever
seen. She was reclining on a couch
as if asleep. was in total darkness;
there was no light save rose-halo
that surrounded her. She opened the
most wondrous eyes had ever seen,
and smiled.
You desired to consult me?" she
half-questioned.
I could not speak.
Never mind. I" she said; s.you are
excited. They all are-it is only nat
ural."
She raised her shapely, bare arm
and made graceful gesture, and, at
that moment. heard sweet music as
delicate as that of an Eolian harp. So
soft and low was it, that if the place
had not been as still as a tomb, it would
not have reached my ears.
81 can show you two things only
about physical being-with the spirit
ual I have nothing to do" she contin-
ued. in tones that Bonded sympathetical-
Iy with the music. If you desire can
show you some one-only one-o-
your ancestors as they appeared cent
fury or more ago. / can also cause
you to see yourself in the future. I
can not say under what conditions, for
I know nothing till the picture ap-
pears. Some see themselves in old
age. alive and happy; others are pres
ent at their own funerals. In the lat
ter contingency, you would see your
self surrounded by those who will be
with you at death. You must be your
own judge as to whether you see these
things. examined your face before
I admitted you; I judge that yon are
mentally and physically able to wit
ness all 1 may show you; indeed you
are much calmer now than a few mo-
ments since"
I tried to smile, but my face felt
hard and stiff. Yes" said, and my
voice sounded so harsh and cultural in
the musical atmosphere that l did not
finish what had started to say.
Il understand she said; s'well,
look to your right"
turned in the direction her eyes
had taken, and she went on:
There appears to be a curtain
there but it is only darkness; in a
moment it will be gone''
Again / witnessed that wonderful
melting of darkness into light, and
when the pink and golden haze had
vanished [ saw an old-fashioned room,
having wide fireplace, polished
floor, and antlquated furniture. I
could even see the sunlight as it enter
ed small-paned window and lay dag
onally on the floor, and through an
open door l caught a glimpse of a
flower garden, grassy lawn dotted
with fruit trees and grape-arbors. Up
long walk an old man was approach
ing. He wore three cornered hat
knickerbockers, low shoes with sill
yer buckles, and a blue coat decorated
with lace He entered the door as
silently as thought moves and
sat down at the window in
the sunlight. wiping his heated brow
with a handkerchief. He looked like
a picture Of my great-grandfather,
which l remembered having seen when
I was child.
W. AAeAy AOo w oO1O W AOCO
went on the beautiful woman" but
there is marked resemblance be-
tween yourself and this man. Note the
shape of his brow, his hands, the color
of his eyes, his posture -
Il gazed so steadily that a mist
seemed to fall before my sight. The
sunlight left the window; a cloud
seemed to have swept over the garden,
that l could see through the door; the
scene grew gray and then was swal-
lowed up by the darkness that
streamed into it. The rose-light drew
my eyes for relief to the woman on the
couch.
That is all can show you of the
past, )" she said sweetly; ''but if you
will look back again you will see
something of your future. Remember,
however, that you must be courage
Gus. AS the most important events in
life are marriage and death, you will
be apt to see something of one or the
other as regards your own future"
You had better look" said the
woman; lit is not SO very bad you
WILL SET. 1 WOulu LOU nave you 20
away in your present mental condi-
ton. After all, to die is but the end
OF earthly life. Look!"
felt some one turn me forcibly
around. A wide landscape was be-
fore my eyes, and oh, how beautiful!
Hills and mountains rose in the dis.
lance; sunshine fell over it ALL Near
by stood a great church of gray stone.
/ could see the massive bell swing to
and fro through the lattice of the
steeple. A vast crowd was going
into the wide door. Carriages and
horses dotted the road that led away
toward the river in the distance. A
hearse, black as ebony, the horses of
which were prancing and curveting
impatiently. Six gray-headed men
took out the casket and began to bear
it toward the church, and the organ
within commenced to play dolefully.
The old men had the faces of young
men l knew-fnces altered by age.
AS they began to ascend the church
steps l saw the white face of the
corpse through the uncovered, flower
strewn glass.