The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-09-20
Lot 3-SChOOl Umbrellas.

I must say I felt for the man. In
credible as it may seem, l was begin
ming to believe in his story, for the evil
dence he had Just showed me seemed
insurmountable. Could any living be-
ing have written what I had just read?
They were indeed the thoughts of one
from the neither world; and every word
West had spoken seemed to come from
his very heart. Yet, how could l help
him in his terrible position?
What, do you want me to do?" I
asked
81 don't know, Bethel" he said wear
you all. Surely you, with your cool
head, can devise something. Think it
over. Yet, stay; l was forgetting. 1t
did occur to me that if you came in
when the typewriter was working, your
presence might counterfeit Kelsall's in
fluence. At any rate, you might try.
Come in tomorrow morning and drag
me out by main force, and break this
Internal spell. Will your
Certainly 1 will, West. But why
not now?"
II cannot. I haven't the strength
for the struggle. I'm dead beat. L
haven't slept two hours at a stretch for
a week I feel better now, though, af-
could Sleep"
Right you are, West. I'll come as
soon as I can tomorrow. I would not
leave you now but for the office work;
but I'll not go till you've had a good,
square meal. You'll let me ring for
Mrs. Harper won't you?"
West nodded listlessly.
His landlady came in reply to, the
bell and in a quarter of an hour West
was sitting down before substantial
meal. But he wouldn't eat. He took
few mouthfuls and then pushed the
tray away impatiently; and nothing 1
could say would induce him to have
more. He drank off some brandy and
then threw himself on the sofa. I saw
good fire made, arranged his pillows
and wraps, and then left him, reluc
family enough.
1t was o'clock before left the Cpl
oneer'' office. I was more than half
inclined to return to Mrs. Harper's, but
hesitated to disturb the house, and
possibly West, at that time of the
night. So went back to my rooms
and tried to get a few hours rest.
But I could not sleep, for my mind was
busy with West.
Now that I was away from his per-
sonal influence, the utter improbability
of his story forced itself upon me. Yet
could I say it was impossible? The
appearance of a friend in spirit form
after death was firmly believed in by
many. But even if Kelsall could have
visited West, would he have troubled
and tortured his friend in this way?
He was the kindest of men when liv-
ing, and I knew he was attached to
West and much appreciated his devo-
ton And cruld he possibly save writ
ten the horrors I had <a67 And yet,
If he had not written them, who had?
Could West have done it? Impossible.
After ALL what I had learnt only con-
firmed what some believed-that the
tales were really Kelsalfs. If it We're
so, what could be done? The mere
forcing West from his room would not
break the SPELL Kelsall would follow
him-and what then? How would it
all end? West would go mad under
the strain-if he We're not so already.
With my brain full of these conflict
ing and disturbing thoughts, / at last
dozed away l dreamt I was in Vests
room. There was no one there but my
self-myself and the typewriter. AS
I looked at it, the keys We're pressed
down by an invisible hand and the let
tiers struck the paper. l was drawn