Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-03-10

piring at a distance? I had heard Of
people between whom great sympathy
existed being conscious, when separat-
ed. of each others acts and thoughts,
but that this should occur with me
seemed wonderful.
AS stood there bordering numerous
instances of telepathy of which had
heard or read required to me. thought
OF certain mystic societies that COM
municated with one another in this
way, and of the India secret mail"
The idea that struck me most forcibly
in connection with the phenomenon
was the proof it contained of the soul
OF the possibility of the separate exist
ence of matter and spirit. The ques-
ton kept revolving in my mind, Us
there within me a soul not dependent
upon flesh and blood? Can 1T move as
swiftly as light and make time and
space as naught?"
l strolled out to the piazza like one
in dream. l had been there few
minutes only when / saw man on
horseback galloping up the drive. As
1t was very warm, his haste excited my
curiosity. He drew rein at the door
and flung himself from the saddle.
recognized friend of Frederick, and
knew at glance that he was the bearer
OF evil tidings. He sought to evade me,
but would not be put aside. Thus 1
learned that my betrothed was dead.
Overcome by the heat, he had gone into
the river to battle, and a half-hour
later had succumbed to congestion.
Several weeks passed. l keenly felt
my kind cousins tragic fate. Friends
decided that l must have change. A
few days later found myself in wild,
remote place in the midst OF plny
region. l spent hours strolling through
the woods or sitting out in the health
full air until the color came again into
my cheeks and the joy of young life
ran riot in my veins. Autumn had
come with enchanting atmospheric
conditions. The very sunlight grew
tender as it fell in stray CLEANS between
the drifting clouds, or suddenly lit the
dim woods in a haZy, mellow flood, like
pollen blown from field OF golden
lowers. Often, with book and shawl,
1 spent the entire morning in the
woods. Again and again thought OF
the means by which had seen Bern
ard. How vivid was that impression!
The outline of his face-the portico-
the open window-all made picture
that stood out in memory like cameo.
But the power of telepathy did not re-
turn. l could only dream OF the
glimpse l had had into this life which
possessed so strong an affinity for my
own.
One wild evening late in September,
l was seized by madcap within to run
out in the wind. Throwing scarf over
my head, l hurried down the pictur-
esque road that led to the pasture. /
reached the bars out of breath, and,
leaning upon the topmost rail, looked
away over the meadow and into the
west.
The sun had set, leaving livid
streak that cleaned below the leaden
clouds. l know not how long l stood
staring abstractedly into the distant
light. l was only vaguely conscious of
the deepening twilight and of the trees
growing spectral among the shadows.
Startled by the sound of footstep. /
turned and saw a figure in the dusk
that sent thrill to my heart. Here
at this hour-it seemed more like an
apparition than living man.
He moved near and bent over me.
could neither speak nor move; but We
gazed for an instant into each others
eyes-Bernard and land then the
spell was broken. The solid earth
seemed to melt away; my face sunk
upon my arm as it rested on the bars.
He bent his head down close to mine.
1T has been long time" he muir
INJURED, with catch in his breath; "a
long, long time"
Hot tears streamed from beneath my
lashes; / tried in vain to breathe his
name.
"Say something, Valeria"-his voice
came brokenly-"dear. dear love!"
AS looked up, all the pallid bright
ness of the west seemed to rest upon
his face. l described to him how had
seen him last and learned that what
had seen and heard had actually oc-
Cured. He, too, had a strange story
to tell; and as the shadows deepened
and the wan light died out in the sky
l learned of the crucible Of earthly sor-
row that had tried his soul. and heard
from his own lips the reason of his
absence.