The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1896-05-10
PHILIPPA IN A NEW FIELD.
III PURsUEs THE ELUsITE MA
HhTMA TO HIS LAIR,

been waiting for us, and as we csmc along tn
hall I heard the scratch OF a match as France
lighted the alcohol lamp. They looked nj
eagerly as we came in. but ! motioned 20 then
to be patient, and dropped into my accustomed
place on the Upholstered steamer trunk
in order to explain the state Of affairs.
must go back TO the day before. when Philips
had been unusually thoughtful. She hat
poked meditatlvely at the piece Of lemon in hel
tea. ard had stirred It and stirred It until oui
nerves were quite on edge. Finally che had
drained her cup hastily. as II she wanted to gel
rid Of 1t, pushed II under the divan, and re
sarded US with n sudden smile.
Girls" she said impressively. II have ar
ideal I may say. an inspiration!"
Another storyi' inquired Adele.
Yes, another story responded Philips.
You remember the fate OF your last ~inspira-
tion.'' said Adele unfeelingly. II never knew
that the Post Onico could return things MS
quickly as they did that manuscript. How
many stamps did you say 1t cost your"
six" said rhilippa, quite unmoved three
each way"
That would have paid for an leo cream soda
and n daily paper" calculated Adele in an
undertonc. II hope there aren't any inspira-
lions out looking for me-"
"Scoff II you plcase." remarked Philippe,
with unrufled good hrmor. You will change
your tone when I tell you'll conclude TO do
it-about my Lew idea
Behave yourself, Adele!' I admonished,
for I didn't want PhilipDa's confidence intor-
rupted. rs tho Inspiration named YETI" I
asked her.
Yes" she said; ''and II even Adele doesn't
admit it's IA good name I'll agree to give her
the twelvs cents worth of stamps and smother
the Inspiration right now. What do you say
to this:
Unknown Mahatmas of wellknown People.
How does that strike you?' demanded
Philippa, regarding US triumphantly.
Good enough. Philippa" l said, ~clapping
my hands.
We'll, child. the lightning did strike you
this time. sure enough" ~ laughed Adele.
"Er-yes.'' remarked Frances obviously.
But the Mahatmas. philippaf How are you
go ing to find out about the M~ahatmas"
Leave that TO me-" said our young author.
nodding her head wisely. IF l can't run
down a few Mahatmas. I'm no American girl
of the nineteenth century! And in literature
at that"
1 regarded Philippa admiringly. Seeing
which. perhaps, she turned toward me and
said with pointed emphasis:
II believe it is necessary. in these delicate
spiritual matters. to have only the most sensi-
tive and congsnial minds present. May I
count on you for to- morrow afternoon"
You may" said /. with my best bow,
whereupon she made a face at Adele and said,
80 there. young lady" which is Pbilippa's
way Of expressing triumphant scorn.
! confess that l was Just as curious as Fran
ces was about the way In which Philippa pro-
posed to bag, as it were, a few Mahatmas, but
| held my peace. She gave me q parting in
Junction to meet her at ! 80 the next day, and
with that | mad to be content. The next day
was yesterday. I was punctual at the rem
devious. which Is more than Philippa was.
but she soon appeared. triumphantly waving
an envelope at me as she came.
Read that" she said, aud. drawing a card
from the envelope. she handed It to me. 1t
was an introduction TO a woman whom I had
heard mentioned as a theosophist. I asked
her why she had not selected some one better
known.
Because you can't fatter them into con-
fde2ce." she said shrewdly.
II guess you're right" l exclaimed: and
Let US away =" said Philippa. with the air
of a Joan OF Arc leading a charge.
After we had sent IN the card Of introduce
IL was an uptown Hat and waited. Phiiippa
gazed, around with great curiosity at the COM
monplace furniture.
Dc you know much about Mahatmas?r
she said to me.
admitted my ignorance.
- wv S.pIDot thV'' ~ guy
commodate P~hilippa,
just then the theosophist appeared. She ives
a stout, comfortable looking dame Of between
sf6slG HP have s' saiI y %hG said aaa "d hsssn, when hSsD
should aave preferred SAY" Otherwise she
had few peculiarities. She greeted us cor.
remark when Philippa spoke up.
Have you a Mahatmaf" she asked. just as
IL she were inquiring, whether the lady had
any children, or a good servant, or n horse and
Phiiippa and I disagree as to this method Of
opening a subject. l said to her. after we
came out, that II was no way to do; that she
have RaSe' fired r" of = M Va az NJ s' point Siia nRa I t6s
very first thing. Phillppa says | am wrong:
that the way, to do is to take people by sur.
prise and lind out what you want to know be-
fore they have n chance TO be on their guard.
That Is as IL may be. at any, rate there vas no
when Philippa said:
Have YOU a Mahatmaf'
nA'a-Mahatma' sta nmered the lady theoso-
Yes" replied Phi!ippa encouraglngly
what you call them. isn't IL? Sort ~
postgraduate adopts who-well. | have u very
Idea OF them, ! haven't any myself.
Bat.' persuasiyely I'm sure you-you must
any number OF ihemf'
/ winked at Philippa to give the lady theo-
! still think that Philippa was too abrupt.
don't think she was subtle enough, but Of
very, much fu:tered.
:, "Nhy Why" she said, rather helplsssly,
took me quite by surprise. Yesi
Quite by surprise 50 YOU want to know about
the ;Mahatmasi Well, we'll. Why, my dear"
suddenly, closing her eyes and throwing her
head back, you don't know what you ask
On, yeS,l do said rhtlippa promptly. II
have y all down here! 1t will make a benut:-
"Article" exclaimed the lady thcosophtst.
more taken aback. than ever. Then she re,
covered herself and spoke In q deep, impress
,lyH zone Don't You know that our lips are
sealed on matters OF such grave Importance"
bhi!inpa, regarded her with genuine dismay.
Oh she said desrairinyly. do you mean
that you know and won't tell mcf"
3. She looked so pretty and appealing that I
tldnt wonder that the heart OF the lady theos-
ophist was touched.
wv IL = she said. you inst wait here n min.
lte while | go get Mr-. Brown. She lives in
he next Hat and she knows as much about all
ihese subjects as | do. But well, no one ever
asked me these things before"
And, said. Philippa to me. as the lady
.hensnphist disappeared, lit IS in iust that
that our hope Of success Is to he found.
4 we can only pit on. ot them against the