The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-09
CIAIRVOYANCE.


but neither Of them had noticed it
Arthur was gazing fxedly at vivid
ar6ent fame Il sho fireplace; Helen con
te.nplating 3 vacillat1ng flame near by,
now blue, now rose, that escaped like s
capricious will-o'-the-wisp from O par
TALLY consumed log.
At length Arthur broke the silence.
"Did you have many visitors toGayr
he asked.
"Quite number-there were Mrs.
Schuyler, Henry harrington, old Mr..
Cheyne, Bessie Murray
"And who else"
'sNo one particularly-the usual as
sortment of every Tuesday, but Bes.
"Well, what about Bessie?"
'sShe was peculiar seemingly
Ill and agitated, but in spite of all pref
tier even than usual. While speaking
on Indifferent topics, she feverishly tore
bits off the lace on her dress; then, ali
of sudden, she drew closer to me and
took my hands in hers.
"'Do you believe she asked, that 4
woman who has been deeply loved cssh
live without lover"
"What did you answer"
ssNothing - establishment kept me
mute; and even now am still striving
to find out just what Bessie meant"
'tHer 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 woman needs a confdant to
hold her back from the edge of the abyss
or to excuse her if she slips thereon"
''Poor ]3essie-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
efable tenderness, she went on, GLOW
happy am, my Arthur, for your love
for me is still unchanged
eyes, 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 donot know
how to keep it-and generally in a
family it is the husband who is its guar
ilian. Arthur, you have nothing to say?"
Because agree with you, my dear
Helen. You talk like a good book"
"Then bore you-so much the worse.
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, :"
"What a chilli you are!'
"Truly? All I see and hear around
me in society ustonishes me more and
more each day, and often / regret hav.
ing left my country home. There Bessie
would not have been neglected."
'sStill harpiIsg 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"
"Tell me what it was"
sit is clairvoyant story. I laughed
over it at first, as you are doing now,
but ended by trembling"
eve shall see if l ain as impression
able"
"!The clairvoyant of whom speak-a
woman-ives in an obscure quarter Of
the city, and it appears can read your
thoughts accurately, aud even those OF
persons not present if she is given a lock
Of their hair"
"Bosht"
"She told Marie how to find some lace
th0t had been stolen from her.
'sMere CHANGER
"And smoke to her of secret known
only to herself"
"a woman never possesses a score.
known only to herself"
'sShe revealed to her those of her hus
band"---
''Often there are mysteries that are
such for none save those most directly
interested" tt-
''In spite Of what yog, say I quite long
to go and consult that woman. Suppose
I take her lock OF your hair?"
sOh, nonsense!"
'Please let me, dear Arthur. It would
be such fun. Til tell you everything size
says"
''No; J. don't desire any fun Of that
sort"
why not2"
because"
"sBecause is not an answer. 1t is
what VIC reply to children whose curios.
tty we do not wish to satisfy"
what you ask is improper"
Improper! For what reason? I do moi
understand you"
You understand nothing! It see,ns
10 me, though, that three years of city
life ought to have somewhat sharrensd
your wits"
''Oh, Arthur! Your words wound rae
deeply. No, ] do not understand how
two persons who Love each other can
have anything to feay from clairvoyants.
You believe in them, thenr"
81 believe in the eredulity of women
arthur. l beseech you, let NE cut
rock of youg hair"
Il forbid YOU"
Silence reignS in the drawing roorn.
Helen is deeply distressed. Mechanic