The Columbus journal., 1911-04-05
ny Y Y Y Y
BANNICTER MFRWIN
xxLLZ/ZZEAV0 ~
RAY WALTER -
oerasossr 1909 - oooors7A0 q eosspA.ry-

With a sudden yearning that SCENE,
to be beyond her control. she leane,
her body against him. Her warn
breath was on his face: her arm foun,
Its way around him and held him con
vulsively.
oh. she whispered, Il can't bear t,
have you go. Don't forget me-pleas,
don't forget me-"
i shall never forget you. and wha
you have done for me-" he answered
gravely.
You will come back and see me
sometime?"
Il Will come back. And I should like
to bring a friend. who will have ever
more cause to thank you than I 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quickly withdrawn from him.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
l want to see her."
| For a moment she stood motionless
Then she said:
Are you sorry you kissed me-"
No. he answered. Il am note
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.
AND now strange manifestations be-
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 a 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 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, its outlines seeming to melt
into the gloom.
Advancing a little way into the cir
Gle. it shrank back as though timorous,
then wavered. From the circle came a
woman's voice-anxious. eager. strain
ing with heart-break-''Oh, my sister,"
The figure turned toward her, slowly
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 imploring!y,
Won't 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
he circle. Dimly he saw faces, some
'tolid. some agitated: and there. at the
arther end were the two Japanese. in
ent as children on these wonders
Their sparkling eyes were directed to
he cabinet.
The apparition had disappeared be-
ween the curtains But now there was
fresh gasp of wonder. as the figure
II little child stepped out into the
DOM. 1t did not go far from the cab
net, and it alternately advanced and
turning this way and that,
IS though looking for some one.
1t wants its mother" exclaimed
me of the women in the circle. is
our mother here. little one?"
The child stared at the speaker. then
to the curtains.
They will begin to talk after a
rhile." explained the woman-"when
he control gets stronger. always
eel so tender for these little lost
pirits that come back to hunt for their
owed ones"
Orme moved swiftly around the cir
lie. He passed SO close to the Japa-
ese that he could have touched them.
The felt slippers made his steps noise
ess: the thick rug absorbed the shock
f his weight.
He passed through the hangings of
he doorway to the next room. There ,
e had no gaslight; the window
hades. however. were not drawn so
loosely but that little daylight en-
cred. He removed the robe and =,
tuffed it under the old sofa at one
ide. His hat. as Madam ALA had said.
vas there. and he put it on and went
o the hall door. The circle had begun -,
o sing another hymn. Orme got into
he hall. shut the door silently. and
urried down the stairs. the long I