Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1908-06-24


one picture, or disappointed like tho
other, but sad and pleading. That was
the word-pleading. The wonderful
eyes were always asking something;
trying to tell him something, it seemed
to Carmichael.
At last ne could bear It no longer.
ST don't know whether you will
think 1 have gone out OF my mind" he
said to Godfrey Dallas, "but am tor
mented by the idea that your mother
wants to tell me something. She quite
haunts me-"
The young man looked at him In
amazement. OF course, he knew some
thing Of what Carmichael had done,
and the theories he held, but he had
never thought Of them being brought
into use here. The idea revOlted him.
st know 1t seems like sacrilege to
you. 1 can quite understand your feel
ing, and hope you will believe that
[ have not sought for this. 1 have
struggled against the influence, but 1t
is too strong for me. Either must go
away, or 1 must try and help. Your
mother may have been wishing for
years to make some communication to
you, and 1 may happen to be the first
person through whom she can speak.
As you know, an electrician must have
sensitive at the other end If the cleo
trio waves he sends travelling through
space are to make any impression.
Well, the idea Is the same here"
"But 1 don't understand" Godfrey
stammered; "what can it be? What
can she have to say? Why have we
not felt this-my father especially?
Surely she would come to us rather
than a strangerY'
"You have not given up your life to
these matters, as l have; she may not
be able to reach you. There must be
spiritual rapport. AS l said, 'sensi-
tive to receive the message"
"What do you want to do?" he asked,
reluctantly.
Il should like to pass a night in the
Tower Room. That was your mothers
special room, where she spent most of
her time. Her influence would
be strongest there, and l may find out
the meaning of this haunting. OF
course, it is for you to decide, but
Think" impressively, that it would be
cruel-to her-if you refuse. You have
known me long enough to trust me,
hope. You know l should not speak
like this unless l had good cause"
The sorrowful face was before Car
michael as he spoke-the piteous, en-
treating eyes, 1t was the look of soul
that cannot rest.
MY father would never consent"
Godfrey said "As you put it so
strongly, 1 would agree myself, but he
would not. Nobody is allowed to re-
main in that room; very few people
have seen it of late years."
II would suggest that your fathers
permission should not be asked. If l
am mistaken, it would be a great pity
to have troubled him for nothing, to
have revived such painful memories.
If, on the other hand, l am right in
thinking that there is something wait
ing to be revealed, it will be time
enough to tell him when l have heard
it. Whatever it may be, l promise"
laying stress on the word, that you,
at least, shall know what it is. Then
you can use your own judgment
whether you tell him."
And after some more discussion the
matter was settled in this way.
The old house was wrapped In ST.
lence and darkness when Carmichael
went up the little staircase leading to
the Tower Room. Godfrey had given
him the key, and when he had opened
the door, he locked it again on himself.
He pushed open one of the windows,
and soft wind blew in, bringing a
breath of life. 1t was a bright moon
light night, and Carmichael stood adj
miring the sweep of meadow and wood,
with the misty hills in the distance. It
was beautiful view. What had the
girl thought of it whose favorite room
this had been? Had she grown little
weary Of it as the years passed? Car
michael wondered.
He sat down, facing the portrait on
the wall.
What was it," he murmured. uncon-
sciously speaking his thoughts aloud.
What went wrong? You would expect
so much from life-tOo much you were
doomed to disappointment. For no
body, not even for you, can it be roses,
roses all the way Had the days be-
gun to dragP Did you feel like a bird
in a cage up here?"
The face looked back at him, holding
his eyes. 1t changed as he gazed, and
his breath came more quickly. The
hard eyes grew sad and entreating, the
whole face softened until it resembled
the woman Of his dreams.
Presently, without realizing what he
was doing, he took a pencil and paper
from his pocket and began to write. He