The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-03-03

cent, low over the mountain, seeming TO be
calmly waiting.
With as calm and matter-offact manner as
could force, told Philip what / believed to be
the purpose OF the hand. lie sat, with bis head
wcariiy supported by his hand, aud. when
had ended, he turned his face, wociully bag
gard. toward me- and ans Tered, despliTingly:
"What would you have me dor"
Go up 10 the study, and accept the offer of
forgiveness that has been held out 10 you for
fifteen years"
was surprised at the effect thought it
would be gladly received, but it startled him;
bis face grew more liyid and it set every nerve
trembling. lie looked at me some time before
his quiyering lips would form the words.
John, il is just fifteen years tonight since
the hand appeared, but-but -
4" But WHAT"
4" A fearful change has come over me- The
hand attracted me before but il is now horribly
rcpulsiye. Oh! | cannot 20 mp now. IL drew
me there last night, at O'Clock, and as looked
upon it ! shrank from it in new terror. Ii has
grown old and withered and il tremblcd as If
the arm that held it were tired and it must
soon drop. Oh, heaven pity me! what will
come when IL falls2 shall die"
/ grasped his hands in my intense wish TO
calm and help him. l saw that his malady had
almost run its course, and that when this phan-
tasy assumed tho form Of dropping hand, he
might, indeed, die. / pleaded with him 10 go
with me once again, and finally ho yielded.
/ took up the lamp and when we reached
the study-dOor, Philip neryously unlocked IT..
The same musty closcness blew ia my face.
But il was not that which rooted me TO the
spot-it was an impression, not received by
sight, but 10y the perception Of some other sense
that there was, indeed, presence in the gloomy
apartment. Conquering il with difficulty, l
followed Philip in, and, holding the light for
ward, | was struck into speeches. awe; for
there indeed, rs no had described IL, | saw a
hand protruding from a black sphere Of air-a
withercd hand, as Of an old man reaching out
10 grasp another and trembling with tho eff
fort.
Had nv days aud nights Of study over Phil
ip's case affected my brain2 Had caught the
dreadful mental disorder from bim2 Was /,
too. the victim Of an hallucnation2
lh!ip turned 10 me- a spasm OF agony writh-
ing on his face. lie gave one wild glance at
my face, then, clutching me with terrible
strength and intensity, lac said, hoarseiy:
-" Nou see itg"
YES" answered. not above whisper.
" 4 hand ?"
Yes. yes" l muttercd. a hand as you
have described it,"
Merciful heaven" ho cried it is not an
arpag.tiJn. 1t is, indeed, the hand Of Joel
lIarktOn."
His words brought me partially back 10 my
self aud, reason returning, told mo that my
theory of forgiveness would apply now "a well
as before; that If il were indeed a spirit hand,
this course might give il rest.
Philip" ] said, in a voice forced into some
thing like calmness, " the spirit Of Joel Hark-
ton wishes to forgive you. Reach forward and
clasp the hand"
J saw a look Of desperate determination fly
across his face. For only "a moment he hcsitated
then, walking forward, he slowly reached out
his hand, aud / saw his fingers close with those
Of the reaching hand.
Instantly the stiffness Of the night was
broken by 1uttering Of the air aud a cry which
seemed 10 recedo rapidly into distance and
silence. My eyes, which had been rivoted
upon the reaching hand, now saw only empty
space and pierced unobstrncted 10 tie wall.
turned 10 Philip, and found him lying dead
upon the floor, but with an expression Of relic
aud JOY upon his face.-The Arg0aah