Connecticut western news., 1892-04-14
CLAIRVOYANCE.

The light of the lamp had grown dim, but neither of them had noticed it. Arthur was gazing fxedly at vivid, ardent flame in the fireplace; Helen con- templating vacillating flame near by, now blue, now rose, that escaped like 8 capricious will-o'-the-wisp from a par tially consumed log.
 At length Arthur broke the silence.
 "Did you have many visitors todayY' he asked.
 "Quite 8 number-there were Mrs. Schuyler, Henry Harrington, old MT. Cheyne, Bessie Murray"- T "And who elseY'
 '.No one particularly-theu usual as- sortlnent of every Tuesday, but Bes- sie"-
 'Well, what about BessieY'
 ''She was peculiar-pale, seemingly ill and agitated, but in spite of all pret- tier even than usual. While speaking on indifferent topics, she feverishly tore bits of the lace on her dress; then, all of sudden, she drew closer 70 me and took my hands in hers. s
 ".Do you believe,' she asked, that a woman who has been deeply loved can live without lover"
 "What did you answer"
 '.Nothing - astonishment kept me mute; and even now am still striving to find out just what Bessie meant"
 Her meaning is evident enough. Your friend is neglected by her husband and greatly courted in society. She is yet innocent, but has reached that point where a woman needs a confdant to hold her back from the edge of the abyss or to excuse her if she slips thereon"
 '.Poor Bo2sie-poor Bessie" and Helen returned to her contemplation of the red and blue flames on the hearth. Then, bestowing on her husband look of in- effable tenderness, she went on, "How happy I am, my Arthur, for your love for me is still unchanged"
 "Yes, my darling." .....,
 "They say, though, that happiness is a myth, yet it seems to me that God must have given it to all, only we do not know how to keep it-and generally in a family it is the husband who is it's guar dian. Arthur, you have nothing to say9'
 Because I agree with you, my dear Helen. You talk like good book"
 "Then bore you-so much the worse. I shall continue: If Bessie's husband had remained faithful to her, they would both still be happy. Why have his feel ings changed for one so lovely and so good? Explain to me what it is that makes husband cease to love his wife.
 "Wbat child you arer'
 r T me in society astonishes me more and more each day, and often regret hay ing left my country home. There Bessie would not have been neglected"
 "Still harping on Bessie. Did you re- ceive no other visitors as interesting? It is one of the pleasures of people of the world to view, as in @ magic lantern, the eccentric types of humanity"
 II saw Marie, who told me something extraordinary, almost incredible, and yet it seems it is true"
 sTell me what it was"
 "It is clairvoyant story. I laughed over it at first, as you are doing now, but ended by trembling"
 "We shall see if am as impression- able" -
 "The clairvoyant of whom speak-a woman-lives in an obscure quarter of the city, and it appears can read your thoughts accurately, and even those of persons not present if she is given a lock of their hair" lr
 sBoshv'
 "She told Marie how to find some lace that had been stolen from her.
 "Mere chance!"
 And spoke to her of secret known only to herself"
 "A woman never possesses secret known only to herself"
 "She revealed to her those of her hus- band"-
 "Often there are mysteries that are such for none save those most directly interested"
 "In spite of what you say quite long to go and consult that woman. Suppose take her 8 lock of your hair?' "Oh, nonsenser'
 "Please let me, dear Arthur. It would be such fun. I'll tell you everything sh. says" - "No; don't desire any fun of tha sort"
 "Why not?' a Because"
 "'Because,' is not an answer. It i what we reply to children whose curios l ity we do not wish to satisfy"
 "What you ask is improper" "Improperi For what reason? do no understand you"
 "You understand nothingl It seeml to me, though, that three years of city life ought to have somewhat sharpenet your wits" ......
 "Oh, Arthur! Your words wound m, deeply. No, do not understand how two persons who love each other ca, have anything to fear from clairvoyants You believe in them, then?"
 I believe in the credulity of women.
 Arthur, beseech you, let me cut , lock of your hair"
 "I forbid you"
 Silence reigns in the drawing room Helen is deeply distressed. Mechanic ally she looks toward the fire, but it flames ara gone, 1t is almost out, ant from the midst of its ashes rise image and voices that remind her of the past | As one in dream she gazes and listens ! First it is the old home that appear, to her, and all her childhood Is seer again. Then, grown older, her mothe, speaks to her of Arthur, their neighbo in the country; of Arthur, who had al ready found favor in her sight and t whom she is soon married. She see him then her devoted lover, with n thought save hers, adoring her youthful ignorances and her belief in goodness.
 1t Is you," he says, "who are right snd my pat lie sssuns to mo now ., l StA 1seAfA tSb SeS VII 4AhAs VI v