Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-11-28

JRs @rt;sts Story.



flesh and thousands of miles from the
place first met her"
"You are the last man in the world
whose mind | would think 0bscured by
the clouds of mysticism" replied the
rich Mrs Austyn, his friend and
patron. "Iou have never shown any
patience with the charlatans who pre-
teud to expose and expound the secret,
that wise providence has ordained
we should not fathom And yet you
are taxing our credulity with Il state
ment that would he marvellous ii true.
Il must Insist upon my veracity in
this instance smiled the artist.
"Now, don't stop to argue, mamma,
urged the elder Of the Austyn girls
There is story in this, and after
Mr.. Robeley has told it you can ie-
claim him from the darkness Of his
superstitions and air your theories
Now, do tell us all about it," and three
pretty sisters sighed their curiosity in
chorus.
just SO. You don't ask me to ex
plain, said the artist with a quizzica
look. 81 shall give you the remarka-
BILE facts and leave you to wrestle with
them. Eight years ago was in Pari:
pursuing my studies and lived the life
Of Bohemian from choice rather than
from necessity. We fellows held the
responsibilities Of life very lightly and
laughed at all human phenomena that
would not yield to the test Of material
ism. | was chief among the scofers
and found barefaced fraud in every
thing from clairvoyancy 10 the piercing
Of the future through the medium OF
tea grounds.
"Then, as now, | occasionally broke
entirely away from my usual SUR ound-
ings and was one day sauntering along
through Rue de BogueS As passed
through one of the most pretentious
houses was startled hv scream for
help and dashed through the open
doorway 10 find woman battling
with flames that with great leaps and
flashes were consuming the white
draperies of what struck me as a con
secrated altar out of place. Our com
bined efforts soon mastered the incipieni
conflagratlon. As the woman anointed
nv hands with some soothing lotion
saw that she was as dark rs Il gypsy.
Her hair rippled back from her fore
head in waves of blue black, her eyes
were brilliant in the same deep color
ing. and her strong, even teeth
suggested polished ivory. She was an
amazon in size, yet the sweeping curves
of beauty were such as to fascinate the
artist, while her motions were as sup
pie and graceful as those of a tiger.
".You are gentleman, and there
is but one way in which | can offer
return for your service, she said rs
turned To leave. Her voice was soft
as the notes of lutte, and her accent
gave unsupported charms to my mother
tongue. i was born ot royal blood in
India. Through study Of the sacred
Nedas and the pure doctrine OF karma
attained the power OF divinatlon
Your people would classify me among
fortune tellers, but am poles apart
from the vulgar humbugs that trade
upon ignorance and superstition
Promise you will come tomorrow, fol
am upset by this accident. Then
will be both your historian and youl
prophet. shall count on you, m'seur.
Though mentally sneered at thu
woman's pretensions and lay awake
half the nj ght assuring myself that
would never seek her out, | was at he
door ten minutes before the appointed
time next day. She had either assumed
her professional air or was under th'
spell OF her supernatural attainments
will not describe the inner temple u
MYSTERIES to which she conducted me
but in the weird effect of its hangings
mirrors, grotesque carvings and myth
ical symbols it challenges the mos
hardened skepticism. Throwing tn
whole light OF a golden light upon m.
tace with a powerful reflector, she gen
eralized upon my past life as an,
shrewd Judge OF human nature nigh
do. Then. suddenly knitting he
brows and leaning closer, she slowl.
spelled out Marcia Arnold
".That is the name Of the girl yoI
will marry, she announced IN a dream,
voice, and there you see her
with that the lights faded to tn
dimness of deep twilight and there fol
lowed the darkness of a dungeon
Opposite me as if in life was the imag
of the sweet and beautiful woman yol
know as Mrs. Robeley. Never beior
had | been dominated by the tende
p,ssion. but there | was iathoms deel
in love with what might have been n
enchanting illusion or superb paint
ing. So deeply was impressed tha
/ e-w4 N From T'.S.rs,raai n Naii-i-
SfC '5:' 'i:' !" {; ::';:':.;; ';::' !:
E5zE& M 81 "a douht treated and cur