Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1910-09-15

side toward the window The gas ia
down to pin-point. Those folks think
they can see q lot more than they do.
But they won't see you. unless you
show some white. Anyhow they'll be
watching the cabinet. Keep outside
the circle of chairs. and work your
way to the door OF the next room.
There are hangings there: go through
them You'll find light enough in the
next room to get to the door in the
hall. First stun the robe under the
sofa You'll find your hat under there.
You left 1t here when you came, and
tucked it away. You'd better wear the
slippers down to the street Never
mind about returning them-unless you
care to come. Now, be careful"
THE Japanese-where are they?"
"At the other side of the circle.
Don't worry about them. They're only
kids when 1t comes to my game. Now,
wait till get the things need" She
heard faint rustlings as she gathered
her paraphernalia. Soon she was back
at the panel. The last stanza of the
hymn was drawing to a close. BE
sure you follow directions" she whis-
pered.
Il will" He pressed her hand crate
fully.
"And-and you won't forget me?"
With sudden yearning that seemed
to be beyond her control. she leaned
her body against him Her warm
breath was on his face; her arm found
it's way around him and held him con-
vulsively.
Oh she whispered, 81 can't bear to
have YOU so. Don't forget me-please
don't forget me"
II shall never forget you, and what
you have done for me-" he answered
gravely.
You will come back and see me
sometime?"
Il will come back. And should like
to bring friend, who will have even
more cause to thank you than have"
"a friend?" A tinge OF apprehension
colored the question: "A woman?"
yes"
The soft curves of her body were
quickly withdrawn from him.
Oh she whispered Il don't believe
I want to see her"
For moment she stood motionless.
| Then she said:
Are you sorry you kissed me?"
NO" he answered, Il am not"
Her lips brushed his forehead, and
he was alone. Cropping with one hand,
he assured himself that the panel re-
NAMED open. All in black, he awaited
the signal.
/ AM ctr N o. mn MI n hn-
gan in the room without. There were
rappings, some faint. some loud
coming apparently from all quarters.
Invisible fingers swept gently across
the strings of guitar. Then came the
soft clangor of gong-once, twice,
three times.
Orme slipped through the panel, into
the cabinet. Keeping close to the wall.
he moved to the left and worked out
into the room. The rappings were now
louder than before-loud and continu-
Gus enough to cover any slight sound
he might made. A little gasp came
from the circle as he went out into the
room At first he thought that he had
been seen. To his eyes. fresh from
complete darkness. the room seemed
moderately light; but the gas was lit
tie more than tiny blue dot.
AS he took a step forward he saw
why the circle had gasped. Through
the curtains of the cabinet came the
semblance of tenuous wrath in long,
trailing robes of white. 1t was almost
formless. it's outlines seeming to melt
into the gloom.
Advancing little way into the cir
Gle, 1t shrank back as though timorous,
then wavered. From the circle came
woman's voice-anxious. eager, strain
! Ing with heart-break-"Oh,m my sister,"
The figure turned toward her. slowly
extended its arms, and glided back to
the curtains, where it stood as though
waiting.
The sobbing woman arose from her
chair and fastened toward the wrath.
"Agnes!" she whispered imploringly.
Wont you speak to me, Agnes?"
The ghostly figure shook its head.
Are you happy. Agnes? Tell me.
Oh, don't go until you have told me-"
The figure nodded mutely. and with
final slow gesture, waved the woman
back to her seat.
Meantime Orme cast his eyes over
the circle. Dimly he saw faces, some
stolid, some agitated; and there, at the
farther end were the two Japanese, in.
tent as children on these wonders
Their sparkling eyes were directed to
the cabinet
The apparition had disappeared be-
tween the curtains. But now there was
fresh gasp Of wonder. as the figure
of little child stepped out into the
room. 1t did not go far from the cab
met, and it alternately advanced and
retreated. turning this way and that
as though looking for some one
ut wants its mother!" exclaimed
one of the women in the circle. els
your mother here, little one?"
The child stared at the speaker, then
withdrew to the curtains.
They will begin to talk after a
while" explained the woman-"when
the control gets stronger. I always
feel so tender for these little lost
spirits that come back to hunt for their
loved ones"
Orme moved swiftly around the cir
Gle. He passed SO close to the Japa-
nese that he could have touched them.
T>Y4