The Topeka state journal., 1909-01-28
THE EVENING STORY
Asking the Spirits.
(BE Lulu JOhnson.)

'tGhosts!' repeated Paul Orford WITH
a smile. ITO be sure there are gnos,..ss, ,.s,
1 have a personal acquaintance with
half q dozen. was one once. IhaI
was when the dramatic club put on
Hans1et.'
NOW you are frivolous" reproved
Lucy. at is a very serious matter to
penetrate the veil that separates the
present from the future and cross to
that other shore. Mrs dienols says
that we each should seek to test OUT
.srhere 1usI19 is one thing I like about
ghosts" said Paul ..,.,-,-.
whats that?" asked Lucy quickly
as he paused
'"Their answers generally are yes anu anu
no." explained Paul meamngiy. ror
nearly a year he had been trying to pin
I.1Icv down to a definite acceptance or
dismissal of his suit, but that tacttul
yet uncertain minded young woman II
would say him neither yea" nor nay,
preferring to enjoy the greater free
dom of action which is the privilege of
the unengaged, while at the same time
she held Oxford her slave.
Ghosts say lots more than that, IN
sisted Lucy. Mime. Goya was telling
all about it. You start with the alpha
bet, and when you come to the right
letter they give a rap, and in that way
they spell out words. Nine. Goya says
that it is the duty of every earnest
thinker to develop medfumistic powers,
because we never can tell whether we
have the gift until we try to develop"
'She's right" declared Paul, with
greater interest than he had previously
shown in the discussion do you
know, I have thought for some time
that I could develop along those lines
with the proper sympathetic support
you must join our circle" invited
Lucy beamingly. She had been grow
ing angry at PauPs covert sneers at
Nine. Goya and Mrs. Glendis.
The latter had brought the adept to
the attention of the Tuesday dancing
class and had turned that select little
company into a "circle."
The young men found it more inter-
esting to sit in the darkness of the de-
velopment room and hold hands, Tor
there were times when something sent
thrills through the investigators and
caused the more timid among the girls
to clutch more tightly the arms OF their
escorts.
Paul was not a member of the dane
ing class, in spite of his devotion TO
Lucy, and he rather resented these
SeanceS. .
IT think suggested Paul, that it
might be we'll to try me out oefore
will be an hour before your mother
gets back from the Bradleys, and your
father is too busy with that new DOCK
he borrowed to interrupt Suppose We
hold a sitting now?"
"I never heard of a sitting with only
two" objected Lucy. Even with the
Is or 20 of our circle We get scarcely
any return yet. and I do not beheVe
that the two of US could get any re-
sponSe at ALL
1--WE can try it," pleaded Paul. 1--WE
cannot do more than fail, and there
might come some slight indication that
one or the other had mysterious pow
er."
.eYes. we can try it," assented Lucy
brightly, glad to see PauPs interest.
"Of course you must promise that II
there is no development you will not be
promptly. I'll not be discouraged
Then Wen try agreed Lucy, as she
cleared the magazines and books from
a light table and brought 1t into the
center of the room. She placed chairs
on opposite sides, disregarding Paups
suggestion that they be placed side py
side, and then, turning down the light,
she took her place in one seat ana
called to him to take the other;
s'They almost always sing" she be-
aThen we,l sing" 'assented Paul.
sWe'll follow all the process.
His hands closed over Lucy's, resting
On the table, and softly Lucy sang one
Of the songs approved by her circle
Now you must keep very still" she
whispered. Just concentrate on the de-
sire to obtain communication. IL may
be some time before we feel any re-
sponse."
That's all right was the ready re-
ply. "Pd be willing to wait hours to
absolutely make certain
You don't have to hold my han hands So;31 so
finger tips on mine to complete the cir
cult. ,.,
truth. I'VE establish better contact or
whatever you call it.
Don't talk any more" cautioned Lucy;
1.-The spirits won't come while you are
Paul subsided into silence. It was very
with Lucy's hands in mis- own. In the
soft gloom he could just make out the
eager CLEAN in her blue eyes He was
willing to experiment along these lines
Outdoors, the rain beat against the plate
glass of the windows with a sharp rattle
that added to the comfortable feeIng OF
the crackle of coal in the crate broke
the silence.
hen there was heard a succession of sharp
raps that caused Lucy to clutch PauI
hands in tighter clasp and somewhat
The, The trial had been an excuse for hold
ng Lucy's hands. He had not expected
:sDid you do that?',,, she whispered:
"On my word. no." he replied. o.. You
heat" She insisted reproachfully. This
-aising sine his his Voice. Slightly, and the re- re-
sponse was a series of brisk raps.
THAT is more than the proper number"
objected Paul. "one is no and three is
yes .
Il suppose that a lot means underscore
marks" Suggested Lucy. ASK something
Else"
"Are you willing to answer me?" de-
handed Paul and the three raps made
IN affirmative.
May I ask some personal questions?'
Again the three raps.
II want to know If Lucy and are to
,e married?'' explained Paul, and Lucy
yasped at this fmpertinence toward the |
spirits.
s'They won't answer that" she insist |
ID in a whisper, but the three raps came
oud and clear, and with a little cry Lucy |
,prang to her feet and turned on the gas. !