The Delta independent., 1910-11-11

Orme slipped through the panel, into
che 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 a tiny blue dot.
AS he took a step forward he saw
why the circle he'd gasped. Through
the curtains of the cabinet came the
semblance of a tenuous wrath in long
trailing robes of white. 1t was almost
formless, its 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
womans voice-anxious, eager, strain
ing with heart-break-"Oh.m my sister!"
The figure turned toward her. slowly
extended it's arms, and glided back to
the curtains. where 1t 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 apparitien 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 1t alternately advanced and
retreated, turning this way and that.
as though looking for some one.
1T wants its mother!" exclaimed
one OF the women in the circle. "Is
your mother here, little one?"
The child stared at the speaker, then
Withdrew to the curtains.
'They Will begin to talk after q
while." explained the woman-"whsn
the control gets stronger. always
feel 20 tender for these little lost
spirits that come back to hunt for their
loved ones"
Orme moved swiftly around the cir
Gle. He passed 20 close to the Japa-
ness that he could have touched them.
Tho felt slippers made his steps noise
less: the thick rug absorbed the shock
of his weight. r.
He passed through the hsnsinss OF
the doorway to the next room. There
he had no gaslisht; the window
shades. however. were not drawn 20
closely but that little daylight en-
tered. He removed the robe and
stuffed It under the old sofa At one
side. His hat. a. Madam Ala had said.
was there. and he put II on and went
TO the hall door. The circle had begun
to sing another hymn. Orme got into
the hall. shut the door silently, and
hurried down the stairs, the long
drawn strains of the song following
him and dying away as he neared the
street entrance. In the lower hall he
removed the felt slippers and tossed
them into a corner.
He was amazed at the loudness O.
1.-THE street noises. and the glare OF the
sunlight as he stepped to the sidewalk
He stood there blinking for a moment.
until his eyes became accustomed to
the light. The foot-procession Of the
city streamed by him.
Suddenly a man turned in toward
the doorway. and, with a startled ex-
lclamation. stopped short. Orme found
himself looking into the cleaning eyes
lof Alcatrante.