The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1891-11-02

from fhe VILLAGE doft<d The io-r bsrnreronnt
Ike Tar "a Watchhrts; . bell struck The
hour, and the sound came Coating out 81
the distance, weird and wailing. 10 the
west thin red line marked the horizon.
though the day was two hours dead: while
higher up it faded into q fnssny saffron
that was Lost IN the gloom OF the zenith.
The wind In the roadside trees. the dark.
ness, the atmospheric phenomena and my
own disturbed mental condition inspired
me with sort Of horror. For an instant
thought Of retracing my steps, and then
fear vanished, and turning my back upon
the homes and lights and bells beyond the
hill, stumbled on over the dusty road
that stretched darkly before me-
MY flight came TO an end when stood
within the walls OF . deserted stone
church, my hands cut and bleeding from
wounds made by broken glass in forcing
an entrance The feeble remnant u scat,
tered sect had long ago given the structure
over to decay; the voice Of exhortation and
q sacred song had been hnsbtd: the pull
pit waa now white monument 81 s.erola
ton. while the keyboard Of the crumblinQ
organ Wa the playground of I'D army d
rata.
- bug Upeu bRhce Uc1Ofo Tine ALTAR y
placed the pulpit desk BY the faint Light
Of the night lamp traced On the bare OAK
hoor circle with water taken from run.
ming stream that had crossed. Conform.
ing closely TO the instructions in the Greek
manuscript, which had brought with me,
and standing within the halo OF radiance
cast BY the light inside the circle. pre-
pared for the ordeal In an unsteady voice
Il fed he. A. e.
ton.
waited an instant, but there was no re
Spouse. Moistening my dry lips. uttered
the second call In hrmer voice.
Then a strange thing happened. The
flame Of the night lamp heightened beyond
the chimney top remained smokeless for
an instant, and then slowly resumed its
normal height. | repeated the words, and
the fame rose and fell three times. The
sense Of dread and fear deserted me. ]
grew holder as the words Of the Greek
priestess fell from my tongue; my pulse
beat strongly; my every faculty seemed en-
dowed with abnormal vigor, and every
drop Of blood impelled from my heart was
filed with new life.
Suddenlysthere came the rustling Of gar
ments and the sound OF footballs just be-
yond the circle. A whisper foated from
the choir loft, and out Of the darkness
low, sweet melody broke from the ghostly
organ pipes. Spirit fingers swept the keys
until, under the magic touch they made
the music Of q march to whose diapason,
magnified thousand fold in echoes, an
unseen army marshaled. multitude of
eyes looked down upon me from the space
beyond the organ.
The lamp upon the pulpit desk burned
with wonderful brilliancy now The bare
church walls had disappeared to give way
to limitless space, peopled with the ele-
mental host that had summoned. Gray
shadows grouped themselves beyond the
circle. They were indistinct, and the ia
cial lines Of the strangely hooded creations
seemed to blend with the surrounding
ether. 1t was q mighty, yoiceless host.
The triumphal tones of the organ ceased
but for an instant, however, aud then
swelled forth again. But there was break
in the wonderful harmony. The unseen
hands that struck the keys faltered, strug-
gled yainly TO catch the lost chord in the
majestic march. then, In an agony OF de-
SPAR, made Il discord, devilish In its eerie
wildness, and the music sank lower and
lower until brokeniS il ended in moan.
The same dread that held me when
stood on the hillside beyond the village
lights seized me now as the organ stopped
In the distance saw between double lines
Of elementals disk appear From the
dull color of Roman gold it faded into a
pale pink; then it took form, face was
nodded in its uncertain light as it drew
near, and then-oh, Godl saw beyond
the circle my counterpart, my double, my
astral self, standing with outstretched
arms and staring, sightless eyes, appeal
ing to me for helpi
TWAS more than my brain could endure
A fearful weight was pressing on my tenn
pies. The Greek manuscript fell from my
nerveless hand and | CROPPED blindly for
support. felt that was falling; sparks
OF fire flashed before my eyes: then all was
dark.
The statement of the faithful nurse in
Ward COT st. GATHERINGS hospital, corrobo-
rated by the resident physician, is that
for seven weeks struggled between life
and death during an attack of brain fever.
AT the end of that time | awakened to
consciousness to find the range of nv
vision filled with faint opalescent light.
was totally blind. Three fingers of nv
left hand had also been amputated at the
second joint the result Of severe burn.
the hospital people said. When l grew
strong enough DR.. Weyman, the resident
physician, read me this note:
followed and reached you just in time.
secured both original and translation By the
time you are able 10 read this-if you ever do
shall be on the Pacific. The money is sub
ject to your ORDER in the bank at NJ Your
left hand fell PARTLY outside the circle
DIR. MAX.
George N. Mccain in Pittsburg Bulletin.