Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-05-27

upon IL; IL HltJereu Jileru lur 1. u,1u,uL
e ne breathed upon it and it grew rapidl,
larger; 1t was now white hen, which
Pr Tapped it's wings and clucked. The mar
placed it on tho floor: it ran about. bu,
finally settled down and immediately
tald an egg. No sooner had it done this
than the man seized it by the neck,
"hlrleu 1T around and it was once more
scrap of whito tissue paper, which
hoated up and disappeared in the vault
cd ceiling
The man took the egg between his
toreflnSer and thumb, looked attentively
at 1t and put it on tho floor again, bal.
anclng it on its end Then, lifting his
hand little, he pointed downward at
the apex of the egg. Presently steam
or smoke began to issue from the apex,
arising like vaporous pillar and aug
mentlnS in volume until it was several
feet in height and girth. 1t now took
on revolving motion, which became
exceedingly rapid, and it was seen that
IL was assuming shape and solidity; and
amid general murmur of an.azement
from the audience it stood before them
as human tisure-a beautiful girl, en-
veloped in white robe as soft as mist
She remained erect and apparently un-
conscious of her environment, her dark
eyes were fixed in gaze of profound alb
stractlon, as if, just created, she wero
marveling at the mystery of being
cam awake?" exclaimed Mrs. Van
derdonde in cracked voice; because,
IT | am, want to get away. This is
wickedw
"You have hit upon the true explana.
ton, as l understand it, madam" said
the count, who sat beside her, smiling.
"Ihis Is all illusion. It doesn't really
take place. These jusylers have the
faculty OF hypnotizing their audiences
just to the right point, 80 that one i'm
ag7nes one sees all that the juggler wants
him to see, and yet remains in the
ordinary sense, awake. But you are not
awake; you have been dreaming, and
90 have we all. Let US see what the next
variation will be!'
At tho same table, on the other side,
ballie was seated. "Do you mean to
tell me that woman is dream?" she
asked in a low voice. 81 know her"
Probably each person present sees
her with a different face, according to
their own nature or mental state" the
count returned. "But she is nothing
but air, and will vanish again in mo-
ment."
''She may vanish, but she is flesh and
BLOOD" said Sallic in the same under
tone. "She is Olympia Raven. How
came she here? She was not among the
guests. Perhaps by way of the magic
mirror!"
The count smiled. ''You must ask .
her yourself" said he.
''Do you give me leaveT'
"Undoubtedlyr
Sallie rose at once. The count also
rose and said: my friends, Mrs. Harry
Trent, whom you all know, declines to
hslieye that the apparition which our
yggler has produced yonder is not real
flesh and blood She has kindly con-
sented to make trial of it. maintain
that it is an illusion only"
''Don't go near it, my dear" said Mrs.
Vanderdonde. you'll be turning into
an apparition yourself if you're not
CAREFUL
There was a rustic and mur1rur Of ex-
cited expectancy throughout the room.
Jugglery to match this exhibition,
though not unknown in India, had never
before boen bcheld by any Of the counts
guests Meanwhile the appartion stood
nlotionless, wrapped in its white robe,
with unwinkng eyes fixed on vacancy.
Sallie stepped forward. She held her
closed fan in her right hand. A dis.
tance OF three or four yards separated
her from tho figure. The juggler still
squatted on his mat. AS Sallie ap-
preached he bent forward and drew
some character on the floor with his
finger.
Within a pace of the apInrition Sallie
paused and looked earnestly at it. A
hush fell upon the assembly No one
knew what to think or what was to hap
pen. Sallie stretched forth her arm, and
with the tip of her fan touched the figure
on the shoulder.
Immediately thick mist or steam
arose, envcloping and hiding from view
not only the figure but the juggler and
Sallie us well. A loud voice, proceeding
none knew whence, pronounced some
words in an unknown tongue. Follow
ing this a piercing shrek was heard,
echoed by many women present Every
one started; many sprang to their feet.
The mist cleared away. Sallio was stand
ing there alone. Both the juggler and
The apparition had vanished, leaving no
trace behind. But Salie grasped in her
hand no longer her FAM but long
Japanese dagger with {. carved hilt
The point of tho dagger seemed to be
tripping with blood.
She staggered, turned partly round
md would have fallen, but the count
vas near her and caught her in his arms.
The company was all in confusion. A
ofa was brought, and Sallie was laid
lpon it. She had tainted.
Garry her into the east rb5m," said
he count to Two Of the Nubian servants.
Doctor Nenables," he added, turning to
he eminent wonlans physician, who
vas one of the guests, may | request
on to take charge of Mrs. Trent? One
f the maids shall attend and anything
on need will be at your disposal
m indeed sorry" he went on, turning
} the others, that this should have
appened. Had it been possible to fore
70 it--but we understand So little of the
'ays of these oriental wizards that we
lust be cautious how we NEEDLE with
lem | presume lie is rs badly fright
ned as any one. ! need not tell vou
lat he will be held strictly accountable
anything serious comes Of this; but |
H., lt