The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1897-09-18
CHAPTER VI.

MY thoughts soon wandered
1Nl away from my recent fright,
and took that path which they al
wars followed. My arm dropped to
my side, and my fingers relaxed
themselves. And then once more L
felt the unmistakable sensation OF hin
gers that closed round mine. | felt
that there was no hand in mine that
my hand could clasp in return, out
the sensation of palm against my
fingers twining my fingers
was indisputable. The sensation of
pressure was there-faintly, it is true,
but it was there. 1t was no fancy,
no dream, this time. Whether mortal
or not, hand, or the semblance of
hand, was holding mine. Again the
horror overcame me-again | strove
to tear my hand away from this in
visible clasp. My blood curdled as
found the result of my efforts failed
on this second occasion-found that
the fingers which fastened on my own
could not be shaken off, do what /
would. As [ moved my hand, even
so the hand that held it moved with
it. If | clinched my own, | could
yet feel the strange pressure ofthose
unseen fingers. If | grasped my
right hand in my left, there was still
the sensation of another hand be-
tween my own. Do what | would,
move how [ would, that clasp, or
phantom of clasp, was ever on my
hand. Yet l struggled with fear
until the awful thought flashed
through my brain that this was the
aura, the forerunner of paralysis or
epilepsy. Then | could bear it no
longer. Whether that grasp was the
result of bodily or mental ailment, /
could bear it no longer felt my
mind was going. | rushed to the
door, tore it open, and my screams
rang through the house. Remember,
| was but woman, and alone.
AS the sound of hurrying feet drew
near, that hand or hand clasp lying
on my own quilted it. Then, as the
strange sensation ceased, did l hear
mournful sound, like sigh, or was
it only the wind outside2 Did the
phantom fingers draw themselves
away from mine soothingly, even, it
seemed, reluctantly, or was that
fancy too? AS the servants with
frightened looks drew near me, could
that wild and joyful thought that
flashed through my brain be more
than the thought of madwoman?
What could it mean?
Except for this was myself again.
had been frightened, told all who
came to me-frightened by dreams,
by shadows, by solitude, and my
own thoughts. No one wondered at
it; what flesh and blood could stand,
unmoved, the anxiety | had borne
during the last week? | was over
wrought and suffering from sleep
lessness, so Mr.. Mainwaring insisted
upon giving me an opiate. l swal-
lowed it reluctantly, and my maid
sat with me, until. in due time, dull
sleep told of the potency and efficacy
of the drug which l had been made
to take.
This artificial sleep lasted without
a break until late in the afternoon.
Then | awoke refreshed, and in full
possession of my senses. l arose
and prayed, as | had never prayed
before, that my hand might again
feel that unseen touch which had
nearly driven me mad in the night
"Will it come againl 0, let it come
again. was the constant cry of my
heart; and | longed ardently for the
night, which, perhaps, might bring
that hand seeking my own again.
For incredible as it seems, | knew,
when those fingers last left mine
that love had in part conquered
death-that Walter had been with
me. Now l feared nothing. Why
should | fear? He had loved me
living-he loved me now. Whether
he came to me in body or in spirit,
should he not be welcome? Oh, that
he might come again!
CHAPTER VII,