Evening star., 1896-09-19

few moments 1T will have grip on us.
If your heart isn't stout one thss is the
point to turn back
"I want to experience it myself" an
swered. Besides, l believe have guessed
your real purpose. You are scion of the
third generation. and you nave theory
as to what such a person might accom-
plish."
Precisely. I am glad you have guessed
it. believe that nothing but bravery
will compel this f1end to go back into the
ball. l mean to put 1t on the floor with
the lid open and fight it OUT
cit looks plausible. but"
Have 1 the necessary bravery? That is
the point. to be decided, you think. To
when 1 begin it I shall ask you to leave
me- Your presence would be some stay
to my courage, and, as l interpret the
words on the ball. the scion Of the third
only by his unaided bravery. l shall tell
you when I desire you to come out"
He was wholly unmoved. and he un-
locked tte front door with a perfectly
closing the door behind me at his direc-
ton. In an instant both knew that Abner
Letterby's experience had not been fancied
nor exaggerated. The hall was utterly
dark, the odor was almost nauseating,
and 1 shrank from the filth and decay
around me, but it was not fear OF these
that seemed to close around my heart.
1t seemed to be an element of the air that
filed one with an overpowering dread, as
heat or cold produces its effect, except
that this was an unnatural. inexpli2able
effect, as if one should have the sensation
Of freezing in intense heat or be scorched
or blistered by heat In zero temperature.
The house was quiet and peaceful. no hid
eous appartion appeared. yet 1 felt every
nerve qufvertng with fear.
Budthorne struck a match, lifted the
candle from the floor just inside of the
room and lighted it, He held 1t up before
him and we peered into the shadows.
friO CHI nj hnf faar
increased If I were inhalfng 1t. Bud
thorne turned toward me and I looked at
him over the candle flame. His face was
drawn and his lips trembled slightly as
he whispered:
1T Is true"
Terribly true" replied.
He walked to the corner where he had
placed the ball and came back to the CEN
ter Of the room. He put it on the flocr
and set the candle near it. He carefully
opened the lid. then said:
please go now"
"I should not leave you alone here" I
| said. You are not strong man, and TO
| one could stand strain like this very
| long,"
| ''But what Is to be galned?"
Nothing, perhaps Nevertheless, I am
determined to test the meaning Of those
Arabic wOrds'
1 saw that 1 could not dissuade him.
| felt my own will weaken more and more
| each moment and was fully convinced of
the truth Of old Abner's statement that
insanity or death would result from brav-
| ing this malignant influence. could not,
however. oppose young Budthorne's wish,
| nor could drag him bodily from the place.
| But could bring Philip. and the two OF
| us could compel him to come away.
| 1 went to the door thinking Of getting
Philip, of my cowardice In leaving Bud
| thorne there and of escape from the place.
| all in a mental tumble, for the sensation
that 1 was about to suffer death in some
horrible form. as described BY Abner. had
come upon me. I thought swiftly Of many
ways In which men had come to their end
but none Of them seemed so full Of terro,
a. death brought on by this causeless fear
I felt that the young man could nut stanG