Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1891-07-03
CARRISTON'SG GIFT.
IY HUGH CONWAY.
PART /.
TOLD BY PHILIP BRAND. NJ. D.. LONDON.
CHATTER ylI.-CoNTINUED

but one course open. You have plenty OF
money, so your best plan is to engage skilled
police assistance. Young ladies can't DO
spirited away like this without leaving
trace"
To my surprise Carriston fatty objected to
this course. mo" he said, Il shall not go
10 the police. The man who took her away
has placed her where no police can find her.
i must find her myself"
Find her yourself! Why, It may be
months-years-bet you do that! Good
heavens, CanSton! She may be murdered,
or worse-"
II shall know If any further evil happens
70 hcr-then shall kill Ralph CarristOn."
But YOU tell me you have no clew what
ever 10 trace her by. Do talk plainly. Tell
me all or nothing"
Carriston smiled, very family. mo clew
that You, at any rate, will believe in" he
said But know this much, she is pris-
oncr somewhere. She is unhappy; but not,
as yet i!ltreated. IIeavens Do you think
II did not know this should keep my
senses for an hour?'
How can you possibly know it?'
by that gift-that extra sense or what
ever ii is-which you deride. knew il would
come 10 me some day, but / little thought
how ! should welcome ii. / know that in
some way shall find her by it, tell you 1
have already seen her three times. i may
sec her again ut any moment when the
strange fit comes over me-"
All this fantastic nonsense was spoken so
simply and with such an air of conviction
that once more my suspicious as to the state
OF his mind were aroused. In spite of the
brave answers which had given Mr.. Ralph
Carrston, felt that common sense was UNI
dcniably on his side.
Tell me what you mean by your strange
fit" | said, resolved to iird out the nature OF
CaTlstons fances or Authorizations. as it
kind OF trance you fall intoY'
lie seemed loath to give any information
OIL the subject, but pressed him for an an
swcr.
Yes" he said at last. at must be kind
OF trance. An Undesirable feeling comes
over me. know that my eyes arc fixed on
some object-pressntly that object vanshes,
and see Madeline"
How do you see her?''
''She seems to stand in blurred circle of
light as cast by magic lantern. That is the
only way that can describe it. But her fg-
ure is plain and clcar-she might be close to
me. The carpet on which she stands | can
see, the chair on which she sits, the table Oh
which she leans her hand, anything she
touches can see: but no more have seen
her talking knew She was entreating some
one, but that some one was invisible. Yet,
If she touched that person, the virtue of her
touch would enable me to see him."
SO far as | could see, Carriston's case ap-
peared TO be one of over-wrought. or urduly-
stimulated imagination. His, had always
considered TO be Il mind OF the most peculiar
construction. In his present state of love,
grief, and suspense these Authorizations
might come in the same way in which dreams
come. For little while sat in silence, con-
sidering how could best combat and dispel
his remarkable decisions. Before | had ar
rived At any decision j was called away 10
see patient. ] was but short time engag
ed. Then returned to Cauiston, intending
to continue my inquiries.
Upon re-entering the room / found him
sitting, as had left him-directy opposite
TO the door. His face was turned fully to-
ward me, and | trembled as | caught sight of
IT, He was leaning forward his hands on
the table-cloth, his whole flame rigid, his
eyes staring in one direction yet, l knew,
capable OF seeing nothing that could see.
He seemed even obivious to sound, for / en-
tered the room and closed the door behind
me without causing him TO change look or
position. The moment / saw the man /
knew that he had been overtaken by what he
called the strange nit.
Ny first impulse-a natural one-was 10
arouse him, but second thoughts told me that
this was an opportunity for studying his dis
ease which should not be LOST felt that l
could call it by no other name than disease
SO | proceeded TO make a systematic exam
ination OF his symptoms
l leaned across the table and, with my face
about foot from his, looked straight into
his eyes. They betrayed no sign of recoyni-
tion-no knowledge OF my presence | am
ashamed to say could not divest myself Of
tie impression that they were looking through
me. The pupils We're greatly dilated. Tho
lids were wide apart i lighted taper and
held il before them, but could see no eXpan-
sion OF the iris. 1t was a case, l confess, en-
drely beyond my comprehension. / had no
experience which might serve as guide as
to what WAS the best course 10 adopt All l
could do was TO stand and watch carefully
for any change.
Save for his regular breathing and sort OF
cOnvulsive twitching of his fingers, Carrlston
might have been corpse or statue. His
face could scarcely grow paler than il had
secn before the attack. Altogether. il was
an III: com ~" sight; a creepy sight-this
motionless man, utterly Ills OF all that
went on around him, and seeing, or giving
one the idea that he saw something far away.
i sighed as looked at the strange spectacle,
and foresaw what the end must surely be.
But although longed for him to awake,
determined on this occasion to let the trance,
or tit, run it. full course, that might notice
In what manner and how soon consciousness
returned.
must have waited and wat.hed some ten
minutes-minutes which seemed to me inter
mnable. At last / saw the lips quiver, the
| lids flicker once or twice, and eventually close
YEARLY over the eyes. The unnatural ten
sion of every muscle seemed to relax. and,
signing deeply, and apparently quite exhaust
ell, GARRISON sank back into his chair with
beads of perspiration forming on his white
| brow. The iii was over.
In a moment was at his side and forcing
glass OF wine down his throat. lie looked
up at me and spoke. His voice was faint,
| but his " ords Were cutie collected.
| at boyn S,op bcr ,tr,iV I,o s,ia ,tSLo Ia