Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-07-05
DAILY SHORT STORY
MY OTHER SELF.


COOn lily SiSACi =
occurred in Paris, where We had taken
her for the benefit of her health, l
CLEANED from her diary the following,
which 1 give In extracts written by
herself:
FEB. 20.-I am a woman of an ex-
tremely sensitive organization. II Is
impossible for any one TO he near me
and think of any matter without the
same thought communicating itself to
me. / have noticed this repeatedly
when Edith is with me.
May 3.-My health is breaking down,
and the doctors recommend trip
abroad Father has business in Paris
for the bank, 50 we are going directly
there. We sail the 4th of June.
June IA Here we are III Paris. The
ocean voyage revived me, and j am
much better. Paris in June is delight
ful-so gay, SO inspiring. l am sure l
shall recover. We are lodged in IL
large house used for apartments in
the Rue L. We are tOldethat several
centuries ago one of the kings Of
France used il as i residence for one
of his favorites. On this account L
would prefer being lodged somewhere
else. Tie profilgacy, crime, chicanery,
practiced by the court at that time was
frightful and sowed the seed of the
revolution. Gabrielle D'Estre was poi
soned IN such a house just before
Henry ". was about to make her
queen of France. l seem to breathe an
atmosphere of crime.
June PSI have had a shock. This
evening, just between daylight and
dusk, on coming in from Il drive in the
Bots de Bouiogne l was mounting the
broad, massive staircase, and as l
reached the landing something induced
me to turn my head and look at the
wall. There, standing with head
turned and hand on the banister, was
myself. The figure was looking straight
at me. Father came up soon after and
found me lying on the landing upcOn-
scious.
When l came to myself l was on
my bed and no one present except a
servant. Having time to think, / de
cided to say nothing about my vision.
They are worried about me- and TO tell
them would only give them more trou-
BILE. 1 would like to leave this house,
but Paris is crowded with visitors, and
we could not now find other suitable
rooms. Besides, | would be as liable
to this vision anywhere else.
July 81 have seen 1t again. This
time | was going down the staircase.
1t was broad day outside, but the
heavy curtains before the window on
hn nSair1HaI 10 IiOht and all
within was dim. This time l did not
faint, but moved on slowly to the
steps, keeping my eyes fixed on my
other self, its eyes fixed on me. Rest
ing my hand on the banister, for l was
unsteady, l looked down TO be sure of
the step, then put my foot on il. When
l looked again for my counterpart it
had vanished. Edith was coming up
to help me down to the carriage, and
fell into her arms.
Il am sure this vision is my spiritual
body and have a fancy that my dis
cernment Of 1t is the beginning of the
end. As the physical body weakens
am more and more spirit. That 9th
ers do not have the same experience is
because others have not the same deli
1t once more before the end-that is, be-
fore l shall be it.
Father is very much worried about
me and would he more so if he knew
all. He wishes me to go to SwitZer-
land, but he Is detained here by his
business and cannot go himself. He
suggests that Edith and l go without
him. But two girls cannot travel alone
in this country; at least I would not
wish to de SO, especially in my condi-
ton OF health.
July 10-When | went downstairs
this morning the curtains at the hall
window were drawn and permitted a
strong light on the landing. l looked
at the wall. dreading to see my other
self, but there was nothing but the
bare surface. Edith saw my fright
ened glance and asked me the cause,
but l would not tell her Why should
l? She would only think me fit for a
retreat, and very likely l should lose
my liberty.
July 10. Father has finished his
business, and we are to start for &c
neva tomorrow. 1t will avail nothing
to me. Something tells me that shall
see the warning again before we leave,
and all for me will then soon be over.
Midnight have seen it again"
This Is the last entry In the diary.
On July 16 we came IN from drive
and my sister went upstairs before me-
l supposed father was with her but ne
was not. When I reached the landing
/ noticed that the wall 10 the left was
not as / had seen it always before
There was an opening, through which
| could look into another house or part
of house. Though surprised, was
too much taken UP with my sister TO
stop to examine it and went on up to
her room. l found her on the bed IN
conscious. She remained in this con
ditiOn for several days, when she died
Before her death noticed again the
difference in the wall, but was in no
condition of mind TO take any interest