The Democratic advocate., 1909-02-26
asking
THE SPIRITS
By LULU JOHNSON.
Copyrighted 1903, by Associated
Literary Press.
By LULU JOHNSON.

"Ghostsp' repeated Paul orford. with
a smile. '"To be sure there are ghosts.
] have a personal acquaintance with
half a dozen. was one once. That
was when the dramatic club put on
Hamlet"
Now you are frivolous" reproved
Lucy. at Is a very serious matter to
penetrate the ven that separates the
present from the future and cross to
that other shore. Mrs Glendis says
that we each should seek to test our
mediumIstic powers"
There Is one thing like about
ghosts" said Paul.
whats thatT' asked Lucy quickly
as he paused.
Their answers generally are yes
and no" explained Paul meaningIy.
For nearly n year he had been trying
10 pin Lucy down to n definite accept.
nnce or dismissal of his suit, but that
tactful yet uncertain minded young
woman would say him neither yea"
nor may" preferring to enjoy the
greater freedom 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"
insisted Lucy "Mme. 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 in
that way they spell out words. Mime.
Goya says that II Is the duty OF every
earnest thinker 10 develop medlumistic
powers, because we never eau tell
whether we have the gift until we try
20 develop"
"she's right" declared Paul, with n
greater interest thnn he had previous
~ shown in the discussion. ''Do you
know | have thought for some time
that could develop slong those lines
with the proper sympathetic supportT'
"You must Join our circle invited
Lucy bcamingiy She had been grow
lug angry at paul's covert sneers at
/ Nine, Goya and Mrs Gicndis.
/ The latter had brought the adept to
the attention Of the Tuesday dancing
class and Ind turned that select little
/ company into "circle."
/ Tho young man found Il more inter.
/ estinR to sit IN the darkness of the de.
I veiopment room and hold hands, for
I there were times when something sent
i thrills through the investigators and
caused the more timid among the girls
20 clutch more tightly the arms Of theii
cecorta
Paul was not a member Of the dane
ing class IN spite Of his devotion I,
Lucy. and he rather resented thea'
seancca
Il think" suggested Paul, that :
might be well 10 try inc out before
seek 10 display my powers In public
II will be aa hour before your mothel
gets back from she Bradieys, and you
father In too busy with that new bool
he borrowed TO interrupt Suppose WI
hold n sitting nowT'
II never heard of sitting with onl!
two" objected Lucy. Even with tn
nfiecn or twenty OF our circle we ge
scarcely any return yet. and do no
believe that the two Of us could &c
any response st all"
we can try IT," pleaded Paul. wv
cannot do more than fail. and Their
might come some slight indication tha
one or the other had mysterious pow
err"
"Yea. we can try IT," ansented Luc,
brightly. giad to see Paul's Interest
"Of saafr1e you must promise that I
there Il no development you win no
be Discouraged"
"i'li promise that" asscnted Pau
promptly. "I'li not be discouraged"
Thea we'll try" agreed Lucy as sh
cleared the magazines and books iron
q light table and brought II into th,
center Of thr room. She placed chair
on opposite sides. disrcgardlng Pault
suggestion that they be placed side b,
side, and then, turning down the light
she took her place In ono seat ant
called 10 him TO take the other.
They almost always sing" she be
gan uncertainty.
Then wen sing" assented Paul
"We'il follow all the process"
His hnnds closed over Lucy's, rest
ing on the table, and softly Lucy sans
one Of tho songs approved by her cir
Gle.
Now you must keep very still," she
whiapered. Just concentrate on the
desire 10 obtain a communication. II
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 10
absolutely make certain"
"You don't have to hold my hands
20 tight" suggested Lucy. "Juat rest
your finger tips on mine to complete
the circuit"
This is better" objected Paul, with
truth. I'VE establish q better contact
or whatever you call It."
Don't talk any more" cautioned
Lucy. Tho spirits won't come while
you are talking.p
Paul gubsided into silence. II was
very pleasant sitting there In the half
light with Lucy's hands In his own.
In the soft gloom he could just mako
out the oval Of her face and catch
faintly the eager gleam 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 a
sharp rattle that added to the com
Portable feeling Of those within, and
apart from that only the crackle Of