Reporter and farmer. [volume] (Webster, Day County, Dakota [S.D.]) 188?-1946, 1909-10-14

any response at all"
ave can try It." pleaded Paul. I'VE
cannot do more than fail, and there
might come some slight indication that
one or the other had mysterious pow
err"
Eyes, we can try It," assented Lucy
brightly. glad to see Paul's interest.
"Of course you must promise that II
there is no development you will not
be discouraged"
"Pll promise that" assented Paul
promptly. "I'll not be discouraged"
'Then 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.
They almost always sing" she be-
gan uncertainty.
Then well sing" assented Paul.
"We'll follow all the process"
His hands closed over Lucy's. rest
ing on the table, and softly Lucy sang
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. 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 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. 1--WE 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 a
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 a succession
Of sharp raps that caused Lucy to
clutch Pauls hands in tighter clasp
and somewhat shook his own placid
ity.
The trial had been an excuse for
holding Lucy's hands. He had not ex-
pected any manifestation.
did you do thatT she whispered.
"On my word, no." he replied You
didn't tap with your foot, did you"
Lucy shook her head Il wouldn't
cheat" she insisted reproachfully.
This is not a thing to make a jest
Of"
"Are the spirits present" asked
Paul, raising his voice slightly And
the response was a series of brisk
raps.
THAT is more than the proper num-
ber." objected Paul. "One is no. and
three is yes
II suppose that a lot means under
score Marks" suggested Lucy. ASK
something else"
Are you willing to answer me?" de-
manded Paul. and the three raps made
an affirmative.
MAY | ask some personal ques-
tions?" Again the three raps.
81 want to know IL Lucy and l are
to be marriedT' explained Paul. And
Lucy gasped at this impertinence to-
ward the spirits.
'They won't answer that" she In
sisted in a whisper, but the three raps
came loud and clear. and, with little
cry, Lucy sprang to her feet and turned
on the gas.
"You were cheating" she cried. "You
were kicking the table Leg"
"See for yourself" he retorted, turn.
ing the light table so that she might
see that there were no scratches. on
the polished legs. II am more mysti-
fed than you are. There must be some
thing in 1t, after ALL"
'"There must be-" she assented soft
ly.
And you will accept their decreer'
he asked. "You will marry mef'
81 suppose that I must. since 1t is
the will Of those over there" assent.
ed the girl. II meant to some time,
anyhow" she added half defantly as
Paul caught her in his arms, and the
world beyond was forgotten i'm the JOY
Of the life right here.
Late that evening Paul smoked his
good night cigar in the comfort Of the
big armchair. At his feet lay Bunch,
the English bulldog that was Paul's
constant companion. Bunch was fast
asleep on a rug. but he reused when
his master stirred.
Bunch" cried the jubilant oxford,
''there was something in 1t. after all.
thought that spirit thing was largely
a matter of Imagination, but I'm GER
tain that Lucy did not do the rapping,
and | know that / didn't. 1t was a