West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1891-01-01
UNDER THE SPELL.
Strongo Exp rienco with a Mind
Renders Crazed Daughter.

Tho wind howled around tho gables
like mad witch OF tho night, and tho
occasional roar of thunder madc the
windows rattle. Tho spirit OF tho storm
was abroad in the midnight land
But at intervals, when the wind
seemed to die Of its own madness, and
the thunder lullcd, or fed far down the
distant and afrightcd horizon. there
came TO mo from tho room above watt
Ing as weird Is that OF the wind. echoes
OF pan and bittcrest anguish
Tho mind reader lay dying In that
room. 10 that had held converse with
death and made tho Spirits of tho de-
parted do his bidding was now entering
with painful steps the borders of tho
spirit land.
knock at my door.
Mother asks you to como upstairs.
he Is breathing his last"
followed tho weeping girl into the
room whoro lay the dying man.
His wife and children were taking
their last farewell of him.
lie fixed his stony eyes upon mo as
entered
"iIelva," no gaspcd. fecbly, notion
Ing TO tho eldest daughter, woman for
whom had always had a dislike, which
almost amounted to hatred. "IIelva,
draw near; and you. my friend" bcckon-
Ing me also TO approach, come hithcr
and join hands with her"
1 involuntarilY drew back, but tho
strange power which this man had OK
erted over other men did not leave him
in his dying hour. Ills eyes stared into
niDc, and though he did not repeat the
command. was irresistibly compelled
TO do as he wished.
Join hands with herr"
clasped the hand OF Ilolva. and SO
we stood
lie TO her husband: 90 TO him q
wife," he gasped "My spirit Is on
Uclya. and let her spirit DO on you!"
There camc startled cry from dark
corner OF the room. The swimming
eyes Of laura, the daughter OF this man
tho SOung. tho bcautiful--whom
loved so well, were Gxcd upon mo. and
then she fell 70 the floor
Then there came doafentng peal OF
thunder; n vivid fash. roar OF tho
wind, ard tho spirit OF tho mind reader
won't out into tho night and storm.
mean TO be brief in this narrative, so
shall not dwell upon tho sccno which
mover forget Tho wailing OF tho
women, all savo IIoiva, whose cold,
white faco and stony, passiOnless eyes
never betrayed an emotion; the ngonized
countonance Of Laura; tho wild stare in
tho glazed eyes Of tho dead; tho dark
ness within and tho darkness without,
a horror seemed 70 seize me. heard
the sound OF invisible footsteps in tho
4 g.. 4
conjurcd in life bending over him and
gIaring at him. dead; and tbon--
rushed from the room and locked
myself Within my own.
did not attend the funeral o. the
mind reader xt day I left noto for
Laura, telling bor that ! had CHANGED
my lodging 10 another part Of the city,
aud that would sec her soon again. and
50 quit the house forever
a week passed. and ! had heard moth
ing from the mind.readcr's family
nothing from Laura
IL was night; had retired 70 my room
In tho hotel, and was reading. when
was aroused by 1rm knock on the
door. opened IL and--stood face TO
face with llclya.
What do sou want2~ ! cried. almost
hefccly. Why did you como heroY'
y came for you" she said, and stood
mOtiOnless.
What you must be mad 70 enter this
building at this time OF night What IL
your missiOn2"
''ilavo you forgotten our contract2"
she said, in her cold, hard tones And
do you think TO escape me? There Is
work for both Of Us 20 do. and you must
fulfill your promise % tho dead"
you are madr' I cried. you must
loavo bere-you must return 70 your
home"
The looks Of The woman really alarmed
me, FOR there was that look In her eyes
which seemed 70 belong 70 uadness
only. ! feared and hated her.
''onoi 7 cr.od, ia,iag ~ NY hg.