The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-04-28

soft, mellow sound like one of the low
er notes of flute.
cit is the masters signal. He is
awake, " said Kola impressively. Then
the house was as quiet as a tomb. A
train passed on the elevated road near
by. 1t rumbled in farof way. as if it
were underground.
BE still now and look into the dark
ness ahead of you" said Kola. 1.-the
master will net present himself to view
nor speak, but he knows your desires
and will give psychic demonstration
that will interest you"
When the adept ceased speaking, the
f1utelike note sounded again, and then
profound silence fell. Lampkin heard
some one breathing heavily, but could
not make out who it was. He felt a
hand grasp his own, heard step on the
carpet and knew that Hendricks had
passed him, going he knew not whittier.
The black robe he wore blended so thor
Oughly with the darkness that he had
become part of it.
The doctor heard Miss Benton cry
out softly, ard then lie saw square of
grayish light appear in the ceiling. 1t
grew lighter till it was exactly like a
glimpse of the sky on a dark night.
Now and then star could be seen un
der thin, filmy clouds, which seemed to
be driven along by high wind.
Wonderful, by Jove!' exclaimed
Montcastle's voice. Il bave'-
Instantly the scene vanished. Only
| the most intense darkness remained.
Kola bent toward Montcastle.
1t was because you spoke, kind sir, -
he said. IF you talk. the master will
retire. -
Silence and blackness reigned for five
minutes Then the flute note sounded,
and the view of the sky returned. For
awhile it WIS as it had been before
Then one of the stars, which had ap-
peared so indistinct as to be unseen at
times, began to blaze fercely. Now and
then it would seem to have some sort
Of internal eruption.
Itwould buru red and blue and throw
off bits of fire, which fioated downward
and slowly expired. One Of the sparks,
instead of going out, grew brighter and
brighter as it descended till it took the
form of letter "B" and then melted
away. The next spark formed the let
ter "E. - and the letters Of fire con-
tinued to form and fall till the word
"BeutOn' had been spelled.
The last letter went oct with 4
fash, giving LamEkin q vague VIZ
the large room and the Benton +,
about 20 feet III trent CT HIM. The Is.
instant the room was Totally dark.
remained so for two CIR three minute
Then TIE fluye note sounded again. al,
large square OF i.ght appeared i.i.2.,>
CT them. 1t locked as if it We're half :.
mile from where the spectators sat.
Slowly it began to take the form of the
interior Of room. The walls, pictures
and curtains came into view. and then
the furniture, q desk, q man sitting at It.
Alice Benton stifed scream. 1t was
Ter father. He sat writing. He leaned
forward and dipped his pen in the ink
stand. The spectators saw the movement
RI his hand oVo. .Le paper and heard
the scratching Cf his pen. He turned his
head, looked at them and then rose de-
! hserately, laid his left hand on his
breast and pointed steadily at them.
His lips moved. but no sound passed
through them. Then Dr. Lampkin heard
some one easping for breath and a
heavy weight fall to the floor. Instant
! II the room was dark.
: "A light" cried Ralph Benton g
voice Turn On the lights! Something
has happened to Mr.. Allen. "
"Wbat has happened?" asked the
; adept from the darkness.
MIR. Allen has fainted," replied
Ralph. He was not we'll and did not
want to come here anyway. Why don't
you turn on the lights?'
DR.. Lampkin felt some one touch his
elbow and the warm breath of the &C.
tective on his ear.
Remain where you are whispered
Hendricks. "Blast his ugly picturen'
Give us light, say!' cried Ralph
nngrily.
| "See, he-your Mr. Allen is waking
said the adept.
"Waking:' sneered Benton. do yor
think that's the way he usually retires?'
The darkness was lifted slightly
How it was done Lampkin could not
tell Montcastle and Ralph could b'
seen standing and supporting Allen -ae
tween them.
'The door is open," said Kola
YOU'D better all 60 out into the fresl
air.
Montcastle and Allen were gropiS,
toward the door, led by the adept. Sud
denly Ralph, who had not moved, raiset
his voice:
81 don't intend to leave till knov
what this Internal business means
say, Montcastle, give me a matche'
Course the young daredevilp' ex
claimed Hell bricks, still near to Lamp
! kin, and the doctor heard him tax
something fl ON his pocket which rat
tied like pieces of metal. '.pll pay hir
for this.
Then the flute note sounded twice.
1.-THE master wants US to retire." sal
Kola.
'.Who the devil is the master?'
sneered Ralph. "This thing touches m
, own family, and / am going to loo
: into it. =