New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-09
SUNDAY MAGAZINE for OCTOBER 9. 1908


The lights were unaffected by electricity heat
the action of any chemical agent which had been
tried upon them but they gave dark scIagraph IKE
a solid substance, when photographed by the A-ray;
from which it was inferred that they possessed sub
stance though of a kind unknown to The general
theory was that they dsembodied spirits trying
to reinCarnate themselves in human bodies
Phyllis cried family at the sight of some twink
ling stars in sky when she opened the door TO let
me out But YOU will to me, If they seize
upon yon1" she begged with her arms around my
neck 81 sha'n't make fuss them
In the morning my newspaper did not appear;
but | obtained another at the station, and learned
that the lights had spread all over England, and
that many deaths seemed imminent started tor
town but at Herne Hill found that the up-trathc
had been suspended and that extra down trains were
being run to take home the people who had started
earlier, many of whom had been attacked In most
cases another of lights lowering about the
sufferer doubtless waiting for the second victim
few who had been seized in pairs were holding one
anOther's hands, and of these were talking IN
unknown tongue. in which phrase which may
be represented in characters as LG-Lu-Le con-
stantly required (AppendiX LVI of the Blue Books
gives a few fragments of this speech and COnjectural
TRANSACTIONS 1t to be established beyond
doubt that La-LW-Le profession of affection;
but its exact force is thought TO have differed accord
ing to the syllable accented
The city was swarmng with the lights. | heard and
bright swarm of them visible hanging over Brix-
People running from that direction into
Herne Hill hatless with the lights on his
vest was standing the top of cab outside the
station praying aloud and crowd was kneeling IN
the street.
As | could get into n train, / walked back to
Dulwch and went to Phyllis People were leaving
their houses. in cabs foot, for the country,
Probably we should have fled likewise but her mother
was ailing and unable 20 be moved | did not ask
her Her father had started for earlier than l.
He did not return, and never heard of him again.
Many people disappeared like that in those days
An early evening edition. hastily printed a small
portion of a single half-sheet related that all the
hospitals and public buildings in town full of
sufferers and that whole streets had been COmman-
deered for those who crowded out. n local
Plague Committee" hastily formed to make
arrangements in West Dulwich / offered nv ser
vices, and worked all the morning at getting of
the houses in order, and laying in provisions As
was going back along ThurOwPark Road. 20 Phyllis
to lunch Doris Fame rushed out from her house.
She had the triangle of lights upon her blouse, and
another huttering behind her They much
white and half-dstracted with fear. and to
and chung to my We had always been friends
and | think, If | hadn't Phyllis. | should have
grown fond of her
''See!" she cried. pointing the lights following
behind her "Secl 1t is looking for its mate He
will be my lover, when it finds him. l shouldn't be
so frightened If II was YOU. Didn't YOU know that
cared for you. Frank | tell YOU now because
am going to die Take them away! Oh take them
away" She tore wildly at the hendiSh lights upon
her breast.
The other lights lowered around me- brushed my
| closed my eyes and shuddered. IL was the
thought that Phyllis would wait for me, look for
in vain, that frightened me most But when opened
my again the lights huttcring away up
the hill toward the High School, Doris released her
hold upon my and followed them SLOWLY looking
backward with her eyes fixed on me She had pretty
81.