The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1892-07-24
THE PHANTOM TRAVELLERS.
A Member Of Parliaments Story.
IT AGNES MAITLAND.
Principal Of somervills Hall. Oxford.
CspyrtsM 1879, h & q kec7srs
Fart I.
0HApTER

CHAPTER
never shall forget how tired I was one
night In March some two years ago whom I
stumbled to an empty hrst-class com partm ont
IN the limited mail at Kings Cross and dropped
into corner seat, communicating myself that
Ihad the carriage to myself. and that as the
train must start In two minutes was not
likely 20 be disturbed. And was right Twas
left quite alone In my possession OF tho COM
partment. and as the train moved off I rolled
myself up In my rug. pulled my travelling cap
over my brow. and prepared to sleep.
had boon burning tho candle at both ends
lately to considerable extent Parliam ent
had met early. and my duties had boon unusu-
ally heavy and wcarlsome My private affairs
had seized tho opportunity TO assert them-
solves my mother and the girls had been In
town. and had had to 60 out moro or less
with them l had been obliged to entertain
good deal too. and to soc much Of mon who
bored me. and nothing at all OF the woman
loved. for circumstances had compelled her to
wintcr in Scotland. Now. however. had
paired on every possible parliamentary ques-
tion that could arise before Easter and had
startcl for tho North.
But. tired ms was. I could not GO to sleep.
It was not that was thinking Of Lauretta.
We had been engaged about four months. and
our engagement was perfectly satisfactory to
all parties concerned. Wo wero attached to
each other-I don't say passonately attached.
because never know what people m can when
they talk in that way-but I had never seen
any other woman whom in the least degree
wished to make my wife. and I knew tho dear
girl was very fond Of me: in fact, my CONT
dence In her and in her affection was perfect.
Her beauty and her fortune-she was an
American girl-were both undeniable. and
though had felt rather provoked that her old
uncle aud guardian. with whom she was visit
ing Europe had insisted on her deferring our
marriage for six months and remaining in
Edinburgh with him. where. he said. he wanted
tdprosecute some ridiculous antiquarian in
Quiries yet even that had It's ADVANTAGES.
felt that my wife was certain to make a sensa-
ton in London society whenever she appeared
there and this sensation would undoubtedly
be altogether more pleasing to me II she APP
peared there first as my wife rather than as
Miss Payne. the heiress of old Elijah A Payne
the well-known millionaire. intended to use
this opportunity to induce Lauretta to fix the
day. but certainly 1t was no anxiety about her
that kept me from sleeping.
Among the many tiresome and absurd en-
tertainments to which had been dragged by
my sisters during the last three weeks not
the least tiresome and absurd had been a
drawing room address from one OF those new
prophets whom London delights to honor. on
the subject Of Certain Remote and Ill I'm
derstood Forces In Nature" saw at glance
that the man was an arrant humbug and inn
poster. and the lecture was merely warmed
up farrago OF old absurdities, tales OF second
sight. ghosts. aud appearances dignifled with
the new name OF telepathic impressions.
wondered at the time to see how the wo-
man-And men. too-hung upon his broken
English utterances-he was an Armenian-as
the words Of prophet 1 thought how would
make Lauretta laugh by describing their
obvious folly and his serene and audacious
manner in imposing on their credulity.
When the lecture was over and the hum Of
wonder and applause had little abated.
waited my opportunity until the circle of con-
graduating. sympathetic. telepathic ladies
round the great man began to break. Then
stepped up to him and said. perhaps with
some unnecessary abruptness and In an I'M
dertone: do you mean to tell me that you
balieve all this sort OF thing-that you really
think any person at o distance could produce
an impression on my mind that would lead me
to suppose saw him or her or other objects
that did not see?"
The follow drew himself up to his full height
and fixed his eyes upon my face. He was
rather good looking. tall with long brown
beard falling over his full. flowing white robe.
end fine dark eyes. rather spoiled by slightly
CLASSY look.
However. I felt slightly uncomfortable as he
stood gazing at me without uttering q word
90 ir hopes of bringing him to his bearings. I
repeated my question.
The follow bowed slightly. The question
otmonseur was not intended as an insult n
he said. TRANQUILITY. with. must confess. some
digpity-rather too much. considering he was
but n rascay adventurer
"Oh. no certainly no." said q little hastily.
1T might be difficult, yes, very difficult. to
produce an impression on the mind OF mon
sieur." he continued. bowling again. while
some OF the listeners began to laugh: but
not impossible. not absolutely impossible.
Doubtless some persons are infinitely more
impres ,ionable. GEOGRAPHICALLY. than others.
Doubtless. and we have yet to investigate the
laws that affect this Observation-Disclosures
but" and he drew himself up loftily. when
there Is any mind at all an impression can
always be effected sooner or later"
Ihad half sort OF an idea that he meant to
insult me. but before 1 could make up my
mind clearly about IL a kind Of fit seemed to
seize him. his eyes closed. and he swayed
backward and forward for q moment or two
as II he must fall.
Our hostess. who was bidding her guests
farewell. smiling and uttering the words, so
glad to have been able to give you an opportu-
nifty of seeing the dear professor" like an au-
tomaton. suddenly caught sight OF him and
gave little shrek.
oh. the professor is entranoed" she cried.
rushing toward him. This Is an unlocked
for Joy! Take down his precious utterances.
some one. will your"
Next instant the fellows eyes opened. They
were moro CLASSY than ever. and he seemed to
see nothing. but he stretched out his right
arm. pointing most Occasionally at me and
glaring horribly
You will be needed-you will be used" he
said. in hollow voice. Willingly or unwill-
ingly. you will be used-and soon. Yes. see
it--itis near. Hope not. vain man. to escape
that awful power which for its own ends will
make you. scorner-even you. Its tool" and
at tho last word his eyes closed again and he
fell back. seemingly insensible. upon . couch
that was conveniently near.
You may be sure did not begin TO min
tster to him. Infinitely Disguised at having
been forced to play the part in such prepos-
tercns scana and failing haside that I Ind