Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1909-05-22
ASKING
THE SPIRITS
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted 1903. by Associated
Literary Press.
By LULU JOHNSON.


l have personal acquaintance with
half a dozen. | was one once That
was when the dramatic club put on
Hamlet
"Now you are frivolous" rcprovcd
Lucy. at is a very serious matter to
penetrate the veil that separates the
present from the future and cross t.
that other shore. Mrs. Glendis says
that we each should seek to test our
mcdiumistic powers"
There is one thing | like about
ghosts" said Paul.
"What's that" asked Lucy quickly
as he paused.
"Thcir answers generally are yes
and no." explained Paul mcaKingly.
For nearly a year he had been trying
to pin Lucy down to a definite accept
ance or dismissal of his suit, but that
tactful yet uncertain minded young
woman would say him neither yea"
nor may" prcferring to enjoy the
greater freedom Of action which IS the
privilege of the uncngagcd, while at
the same time she held oxford her
slave.
Ghosts say lots more than that"
insisted Lucy. "Mmc. Goya was tell
ing all about it. You start with the
alphabet. and when YOU come to the
right letter they give a rap, and i'll
that way they spell out words Mime.
Goya says that it is the duty of every
earnest thinker to develop med!umisttc
powers, because we never can tell
whether we have the gift until we try
to develop"
"Shc's right" declared Paul, with
greater interest than he had previous
ly shown in the discussion. 'Do YOU
know | have thought for some time
that | could develop along those lines
with the proper sympathetic Support!'
"You must join our circle" invited
Lucy beamingIy. She had been grow
ing angry ut paul's covert snccrs at
Mmc. Goya and Mrs. Glcndis.
The latter had brought the adept to
the attention of the Tuesday dancing
class and had turned that select little
company into "ctrclc."
The young man found it more inter
esttng to sit in the darkness Of the de
vclopmcnt room and hold hands, for
there were times when something sent
thrills through the investigators and
caused the morc 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.
81 think" suggested Paul, that 1t
might be we'll to try me out before
seek to display my powers in public.
1t will be an hour before your mother
gets back from the Bradlcys, and your
father IS too busy with that new book
he borrowed to interrupt. Suppose we
hold sitting nowT'
81 never heard of a sitting with only
two" objected Lucy. Even with the
fifteen or twenty of our circle we get
scarcely any return yet, and | do not
believe that the two of us could get
any response at all
I'VE 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
err"
Yes. we can try it," assented Lucy
brightly, glad to see Paul's interest.
"Of course you must promise that If
there is no development You will not
be discouraged"
I'm promise that" aSscnted Paul
promptly. I'm not be discouraged"
"Thcn we'll 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 Paul's
suggestion that they be placed side by
side, and then. turning down the light,
she took her place in one seat and
called to him to take the other.
"Thcy almost always sing" she be
gan uncertainty.
Then We'll sing" assented Paul.
oven follow all the process"
His hands closed over LucyS, rest
IlS ol blIc l'Ibit' anu H'llIN l-u' y Htlh6
one of the songs approved by her cir
Gle
"Now you must keep very still" she
whispered. just concentrate on the
desire to obtain a communication. 1t
may be some time before we feel any
response"
That's all right" was the ready re-
ply. I'D be willing to wait hours to
absolutely make certain"
You don't have to hold my hands
so tight" suggested Lucy. Just rest
your finger tips on mine to complete
the circuit"
This is better" objected Paul, with
truth. I'VE establish better contact
Or whatever you call It,"
Don't talk any more" cautioned
Lucy. THE spirits won't come while
you are talking"
Paul subsidized into silence. 1t was
very pleasant sitting there In the half
light with Lucy's hands In his own.
In the soft gloom he could just make
out the oval of her face and catch
family the eager CLEAN in her blue
eyes. He was willing to experiment
along these lines forever.
Outdoors the rain beat against the
plate glass of the windows with q
sharp rattle that added to the com