The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-07

w.
Now yeu must keep very stIll," she
whispered. Just concentrate on the
4 desire 10 obtain a communication. II
may be some time before we feel ans
response"
/ That's an right" was the ready re.
ply. "rd be willing to wait hours 20
absolutely make certain"
"You don't have 20 hold my hands
50 tight" suggested Lucy. "JuSt rest
your finger TIPS on mine TO complete
the circuit"
This is better" objected raut with
truth, "we establish better contact
or whatever you cell H."
"Donr talk any more cautioned
Lucy, The spirits won't eome while
you are talking
Paul subsidized into silence. II was
very pleasant sitting there IN the half
light with Lucy's hands IN his own
In the soft gloom be could Just make
out the oval of her face and catch
fsintly the eager CLEAN in her blue
eyes, He was willing 10 experiment
along these lines forever.
Outdoors the rain beat against the
plate glass of the windows with
sharp rattle that added to the com.
Portable feeling of those within. and
apart from that only the crackle OF
coal in the crate broke the silence.
For twenty minutes no sign came
and then there was heard q succession
of sharp raps that caused Lucy 10
elutch Paurs hands IN tighter clasp
and somewhat shook his own placid.
ity.
The trial had been an excuse for
holding Lucy's hande lie had not ex.
pected any manifestation.
did you do that's" she whispered.
''on my word. no" be replied. You
didn't tap With your foot did youy"
Lucy shook her head Il wouldn't
cheat" she insisted rpproaehfully
This Is not thing to make jest
Of"
Are the spirits presentT" asked |
Paul. raising his voice slightly And
the response was a series Of brisk |
raps.
THAT IS more than the proper mum.
her." objected raul. zone Is no. and |
three IL yes"
Il suppose that lot means under.
score marks" suggested Lucy. ASK
something else"
"Are you willing to answer meg" de.
Paul. and the three raps made
m affirmative
May ask some personal ques-
.ionsY Again the three raps.
Il want to know II Lucy and are
% be married.? explained Paul And
Lucy gasped at this impertlnenee TO,
ward the spirits.
They won't answer that" she In.
sisted In a whisper. but the three raps /
,ame loud and clear. and, with a little /
Try, Lucy sprang TO her feet and turned
IN the gas.
''You were cheating" she cried "You
were kicking the table leg
"See for yourself" be retorted, turn II
ng the light table so that she might
Tee that there were no scratches on
he polished legs. Il am more mysti.
led than you are. There must be some
hing in II, after ALL"
There must be-" she assented soft.
y.
And you WIN accept their decreeT
le asked "You will marry meT'
II suppose that I must since II IL
he will Of those over there" assent
"a the girl II meant to some time,
she added half dehantly as
Paul caught her in HIS arms and the
world beyond was forgotten In the Joy
4 the life right here.
Late that evening Paul smoked his
'oOd night cigar in the comfort OF the
ig armchair. At his feet lay Bunch.
he English bulldog that was PauI's
onstant companion. Bunch was fast
sleep on a rug, but he reused when
is master stirred.
Bunch" cried the jubilant 0rford,
there was something In II, after all.
thought that spirit thing was largely
matter Of imagination, but I'm GER
ain that Lucy did not do the rapping,
nd know that | didn't. 1t was a
lear case Of spirits"
Bunch bllnked an intelligent eye and
jagged his stumpy tail in assent.
aul started as the familiar rapping
anne again. Bunch's tail was pound.
lg against the hardwood parquet bor-
er.
$50 you were the ghost You wag.
ed your tail when we asked ques-
ons because you thought we were
liking to your
Bunch's stumpy caudal appendage
lade answer again, and Paul's face
as wreathed in smiles.
1--WE must never tell Lucy" he eau
oned, and Bunch, almost asleep,
ade an instructive effort to reply.
eebly the tail waVered, and only once
ID 1t strike against the floor
THAT'S mo- and that goes" assent
| Paul, You're all right, Bunch"
nd Bunch solemnly raped ont
Yes"