The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-05

rHEN Davis declared 1iaS 1i'0
n stage setting for their venture
wv might be safer left TO him, he
made no idle boast
with the funds which Anorus Do
dine managed somehow TO supply MN
he rented an imposing old-fasioned
hrournstone house just of OF tnlh
svenue. in the upper thirues, ana mt
ted il up with sumptuous splenoor. -
Purple War the prevailing nue. IN
his scheme of decoraton-purpie anu
purple tapestries covered the walls
purpie carpets were on the nOors'
heavy portieres Of purple NelFet m IN
terwoven with weird araDesques OF sOiu
hung AT all The doOrways -,
From golden lamps swung Dy ueli-
cate chains from the ceiling fell throusI 4
purple globes a subdued ana chasteiitu
Pages and servItors in purple lv-
cry were on land 10 open the door anu
attend to every want OF the VISITOR
but there was no noise or WHISPERING al
lowed among them TO disturb the peace
me atmosphere of the place was that
OF a palace and a cathedral
Just around the corner. automobhe
horns were shrieking, bells were ciang-
ing there was the ceaseless roar OF
traffic: but mere rested q serene ana
unperturbed tranquility.
The odor of incense was heeNy OF
the air-that and the fragrance of roses
which stood about everywhere IN great
On the first floor of the house the
space was given over entirely 20 SINAI
reception rooms, for, owing 10 the quail
fly OF the patrons expected, privacy wa
one OF the requisites to success
There must be no vulgar heroing OF
crowding OF customers Raiph nau De
cIded. Each visitor must feel secure
from the embarrassment Of meeting
friends or acquaintances, being con-
Quoted on arrival Immediately 10 one OF
the waiting rooms, where in the qulet
he could mediate or read the occult
literature provided and so prepare Tor
his interview with the countess.
Presently would enter 20 him young
woman secretary in a costume OF pur-
pie mortar board and students gown,
who would discreetly question him and
learn his desires, and then, after
another interval Of waiting he would
be ushered upstairs and into the pres
The first impression as the doors
folded back. seemingly Of their own &C
cord, and one entered was that OF being
In fbe audience chamber of a monarch
spacious hall one saw, shadowy
like the rest Of the house with It's pur-
pie hangings and dim religious light
except at the upper end, where beneath
q perfect sUnburst Of radiance. stood
upon a raised dais the great golden
throne OF the seeress
Beyond this, and a low seat for the
visitor placed at a convenient distance
away, the room was utterly bare OF
furniture or decoration
II was designed that ones gaze should
be uuavoidahly converged upon Tho
throne, with its brassiers on either
hand, from which duplicated curling
clouds OF incense.
Yet even had one been tempted q
let his vision stray, L must have beer
held ana riveted by the stately fig
ure occupying the high seat before him
In marked contrast 20 her surround
inRs the prophecies was CARRIED in pure
withdrawing white draperies without
q single Jewel or ornament Of any kind
save for single glitterlng diamond IN
the center OF ner forehead which caught
the purple veil fastened easternWis'
about her brow, It's filmy folds half re
vealing, half cOncealing her features.
Moreover, by a clever contrivance o.
the changing lights the face discerneC
behind the veil would at times appear
as young and fresh the rosett'
ed with wisdom and the fruit Of years
or stiu again TRANSPORTED 20 the. vision
of an archangel glowing with prophecy
The whole effect was OF course Z,
nnystify and impress the beholder-tS
dazzle and hypnotic him in a measur'
by his sudden Introduction 20 the lighte,
throne-Epace after his mind had beer
lulied by the quiet and solitude OF hli
period OF waiting in the dimly lighte'
rooms below stairs.
Every detail Was arranged 20 this enc
the noiseless attendance and semi
darkness OF the richly furnished recep
IlOn IOOWSs the UtdLt OF Illumination
upon the throne, the whole garments q
the prophecies herself, even the shin
ing Jewel In the center OF her forehea,
holding and focusing the eye Of IN
auditor like a magnet. All, all had beer
carefully planned TO delude and betra.
the senses.
II was enthusiastically theatric, a strain
ing for atmosphere" equal 10 the fan
fare OF trumpets and solemn churchill
music which is supposed 20 attune AZ
audience 90 the production OF "ParEi
far: yet no one could feel fnsensibl
80 the influence created.
One might come 70 scott: invariabl,
20 go away dazed, awe-struck and TEN
porarily al least a believer
Yet IL the outer aspect OF this tempt
Of mystery was wonderful. still NOR
interesting was the arrangement behin'
the scenes. II anyone had been givel
the opportunity 10 peep there.
The house was wired I'D Ike the en-
there were electrical appliances ant
instruments OF curious uses sCattere
all about IN the most unexpected nook
and corners, even Including a stock AM
news ticker which buzzed merriiy ava.
in small apartment just off the throu
room.
There were also sliding panels IN III
walls. peep-holes concealed behind tn
hanginRs. and a system OF refiectin
pea rance OF any visitor could be Oh
served even before he mounted IN
front steps.
Indeed. the visitor was under con
slant espionage from the moment n
his entrance. His name and erran
ssaEe-5nstanslS Aasheh Up dom "a