Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1892-08-19
THE MAN WHO VANISHED.
by FERGUS HUME.
IV-CoyTrNUEp.

over in my desk is small box of gems
which are worth n great deal; what
ever income you may possess now
don't think you'll suffer by the change
into my body"
But are you not sorry TO give up
all this wealth."
DR.. Roversmire laughed In an
amused manner as If Adrian had
asked a childish question. which,
indeed. he had. from the doctor $
point OF view.
Sorry he echoed sorry to ex-
change this weary body for an astral
one-sorry TO give up the gross
pleasures OF earth for the pure
delights OF the spiritual world? No.
am not sorry; the change to me will
be like that OF beggar man passing
suddenly from AFFECT poverty to
kingly afiuence.
but reflect said Adrian earnestly,
'if i accept your offer think of what
i ami have committed q crime.
According TO my own showing / am
not good man; my soul in your body
may commit many foolish actions. and
yet you will be held guilty by them. {"
MY body Will. not my soul, said
Roversmire coolly. Whatever you
do in my body will have to be ex-
plated by your own soul since it is
your free will that acts and not
mine-as TO my personality which
you seem afraid of harming it does
not matter to me in the leust-I have
no relations on whom your actions in
my body would bring disgrace; you
can do what you like with my she'll
l am only concerned about my soul. 4"
''But how about your past life?'
Il have told you all my past life,
but should you need to know more
there are plenty of papers in my desk
which will tell you every action OF
mine since my arrival in England;
with my Indian life you have nothing
TO do as no trouble will come from
there; my reputation is that of So.
want aud recluse; when you occupy
my BODY you can indulge in whatever
FRANKS you like. but warn you that
however youthful your soul NAV be-
the body is old and weak. and If you
+ PAi1 "AAh ~ y w III hlll AZ anu LuuS
lose your city OF refuge sooner than
you expect so your safety rests en-
tirely with yourself"
1t s impossible to undo the past
said Adrian gloomily and although
/ committed the crime in a moment OF
passion. | will never cease to feel re-
morse
That is part of your punishment.
said Roversmire seriously. Il can
give you IA new body but not new
SOUL so whatever acts OF evil YOU
have done in your past life the re-
membrance will always cling to you:
but if you expiate your crime on earth
by prayers and repentance in my body
and in your own. it will purify your
spirit for the world beyond. Now
think everything has been explained
so If you will lie down on that couch
/ will release my own soul and ac-
compllsh the transformation OF yours
into my body"
'One moment cried Adrian. as he
sat down on the couch how can
sign your name TO checks and initiate
your handwriting?"
You will do so mechanically
said Roversmire who was lighting a
fire in small brazier; writing is an
operation of the body. not of the soul
! cannot give you my learning as that
pertains 10 the soul and take it with
me, but all material knowledge | pos.
sess or physical dexterity | have &C.
quired will be yours TO use as you
will-now, are you ready?'
Yes" said Adrian. obediently w.
Ing down. but i am engaged to MARI
girl naw~a Olive Maunaers-how
will that Affect me in your body"
of course she won't know you. "
replied the doctor with peculiar
smile. tanning the fire. which was
now at red heat You will have TO
wait till you resume your own body
before marrying her-but it is simply
q question OF safety for you just nov.
so you'd better leave love out OF the
question or you viii! lose your life.
your love. and everything else. :"
Adrian gave sigh OF sorrow. and
slightly turning his head watched the
preparations of the doctor The fire
was now burning a deep red. aud the
brazier was standing in the center OF
a ring OF white powder which had
been stnewn around it The doctor
bent down and touched this powder
with his finger muttering some words.
whereupon a blue lambert flame
sprang up and ran around the circle.
Roversmire then cast some herbs on
the fire, which he took out of small
silver box. and raising his arms
chanted kind OF hymn in u low. soft
voice. The wild music. barbaric in
the extreme rose and fell like the
rythmical fall of waves on lonely
beach and thick white smoke curled
upward from the brazier spreading n
pungent odor through the vault
After q time Roversmire. looking
strange and spectral amid the veil of
smoke paused in his chanting.
crossed over to the young man and
spoke solemnly:
i am about 10 leave this world for
that OF the spirits and / leave your
soul in charge OF my body-make
good use OF it. for what you do will
be OF your own free will and must be
expiated by your own spirit Are