The Washington times., 1909-10-06

had insisted. should not be less
than $50. and. although Edytbe
protested that no one would ever dream
OF paying 50 much, the result confirmed
his judgment.
We're not in the market for pikers -
he had said We are after the people
with money, and the only way TO catch
them is to make them think you're Of
fsring a high-priced article"
Yet, &c was not only the people with
money who fiocked 10 the brownstone
house Just of Of Fifth avenue. So
much had public curiosity been aroused
by the newspapers that others came,
too, who showed plainly that so was
with them no sum to be easily spared
men and women OF manlfeStly moderate
circumstances-to make anxious inquiry
concerning their love affairs, their finan-
cial prospects. and their health.
Ec,ythe In very pity would have re-
fused an interview with many OF these:
but when Ralph insisted. arguing that.
since they were bent on throwing their
money away anyhow. the purple veil
establishment might as well have II. she
sought 70 intermingle her claptrap
prophecies with bits of sound advice and
genuine edmonton.
Her prudent warnings. however. did
not serve TO discourage others Of the
same kind. People who had been there
went away to extol the mystic splen-
doris of the place and the impression OF
wondering awe produced By the purple
yelled sybiL
Moreover. By a lucky chance one or
two of her guesswork predictions were
rather startlingiy verified IL was, Of
course, no trick to foreteli sudden death
Tor a weifknown daredevil automo-
bilfSt. but that the inevitable accident
should nave taken place within twenty
minutes after he left her door certainly
helped the game along.
IN short, the furOre over her increased
With every passing day. II became the
society fad to consult her. and noted
college professor. after a visit to her
shrine. declared that there could be no
suspicion OF fraud IN her revelations,
and that they opened new field for
psychic research.
Was there ever a noted college pro-
lessor lacking to set the seal OF scien-
dent aS .sSa''s' now 'aFeia'eo ana imD0-
So New York. ever seeking for a
fresh diversion. took the a,tress OF the
water tanks 70 its bosom. and so rhe
hank account which Ralph had started
grew and expanded almost with the
magic rapidly Of the beanstalk In the
Old fairy tale
And zicka enjoyed II. She would not
have had dramatic blood IA her yeinB
II she had failed 10 relish the applause
expressed BY the gOggling eyes and awe
struck faces OF her visitors. the center
Of the stage which Was eternaliy hers
the chance for constant ampnfication
and Improvement IN The role allotted to
her.
She enjoyed. TOO, the change from her
previous pinched and uncertain exist
ence to the Iuxuries and ease Of her
new position.
But more than All. perhaps. she en-
jOyed the feeling that she was at last
closely associated with Ralph, a definite
factor IN his life, and that with the
prosperity she was bringing him he
showed himself more tolerant toward
her than hs had been for years
In IN ME md Ffufvr , An
RRarieioue greediness she occupied her
throne for long hours every day, some
times being 50 physically exhausted by
the strain Of her protracted mummery
that she had literally to be carried to
her room
There was one class OF patrons how
ever, whom she resolutely declined TO
encounfer-the actors.
She was afraid Of them. apprehensive
lest their trained eyes should detect the
stsRecraft and humbug OF her impos-
ture: and Davis. seeing that she was so
strongly set In this fancy had Welded
20 her pre5udices.
Consequently. II came as rather a dis
agreeable surprise 20 her, when tho
news having been flashed up one day
that a visitor was at the door Ralph
told her TO get ready 80 receive Dorothy
Brent.
But you promised me that no profes-
sionals should be let in" she protested
mo. 4 viii rot see her. Send down
word that my time Is fully taken up
and that II win be impossible for me to
grant her an interview.
''PshaW" he cOntended sharply-he
seemed. By the way. strangely excited
over the incident This girl isn't an
actress. just a show girl-a professional
beauty. There isn't the slightest dan
ger of her spOtting anything wrong. and
II means more than a litle 70 me to have
her believing IN you
''She-she has big following" he ex-
planned cOnfusedly, -and no doubt will
be able 10 do us "A lot Of good.
II never dreamed" he muttered. half
under his breath. "of any such luck as
her coming here OF her own acori. ="
So lnsisteat was he upon the point
that Edythe at last consented 10 waive
her objections and grant an audience;
and Davis unable 70 conceal his salts
faction. bIrriedly withdrew behind tho
scenes
'I'll tell the countess what 20 say my
SELF he announced TO the assistant gen
orally intrusted with thar DUTY as he
seated himself before The secret tele-
phone connected with the throne. You
20 ont and tell them that everything Is
ready and that they can rush Miss
Prent right up"
Z@tse .ps1ogs SRas ee=EssEs<l1e soTth-