Los Angeles herald., 1905-06-11

else I would probably be unsuccessful.
Tom had reached high pitch of en-
thuslasm when the tragedy occurred TO
completely divert him. 1t was some
| time after when he again referred TO
It with any degree Of interest. Then
he begged me to take Searles into our
confidence. arguing that he could aid
us in our experiments and would cer-
tainly be as sincerely interested as we
were ourselves I liked Searles. He
commanded my respect, for he was n
great colorist; moreover, I was curious
and inwardly anxious to try my power
at painting the thought OF some one
else besides Tom, so 1 consented.
The next day they came together to
my studio. BY now Searles was as
much at home as Tom, and we had
our brandy and soda and smoked and
talked contentedly for some time; then
Tom adroitly led up to the subject Of
unseen powers. He asked Searles IL he
believed in spiritualism, telepathy or
mind reading, or anything pertaining to
psychic phenomena. Searles did not
seem interested at first and attempted
to change the subject, but Tom was
on his favorite theme and would not be
diverted. He proceeded to narrate in
detail his experience with me, and
asked him to explain it. Searles said
that he had never heard of any one
possessing such power, and although
he was courteous he was palpably in
credulous. This exasperated Tom
somewhat, and he exclaimed:
"Why not test the thing now? Do
you feel up to it, Jack?"
I said that in the previous trials no
particular sensation had preceded the
phenomena and 1 could not tell what
I might be able to accomplish, but 1
was willing to try for their entertain
ment and to prove the truth of Toms
statement. L suggested that they
smoke or read or do anything they liked
in silence, and 1 asked Searles to con-
centrate his thought on one subject
and 1 would show him in black and
white the thing uppermost in his mind.
knew he was absolutely incredulous,
to influence me. Presently 1 became
completely absorbed in the scene spread
before my minds eye and I fell to work
like one possessed. l did not pause un-
til a sharp outcry and the close report
of a pistol abruptly diverted me, and
sprang to my feet.
Tom afterward explained that I had
worked intently for nearly half an hour.
He was sitting where he could watch
the picture growing under my pencil
Searles could not see 1t, and at first he
smoked on with an obliging, Indifferent
air; then he began to observe me, and
my curious, concentrated expression
seemed to arouse his interest. When
the picture was apparently completed
Tom controlled himself with super
human effort. Searles slowly arose
and, softly so as not to disturb me,
crossed and looked. He turned livid
with fear and horror. His eyes sought
Toms and in the look they exchanged
he read his doom. He made a quick,
desperate movement. Tom sprang for
ward, but was too late. The report that
startled me shocked the stiffness ard
was on my feet in a second. Tom
and I stood together with ghastly
scene on the easel before us and a
self murdered man stretched at our
feet.
For Gods sake, Tom, what is 1t?
What have 1 done?"
Tom threw his trembling arm over
my shoulder.
What have you done. Jack? You
have convicted murderer and avenged
his victim!"