Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1911-12-02

appetite, elQC, Htiplus< thoss.sS $500
mai mind. She knew he was qE9:;s
constant survellIance-it was 1oT 20
know. the spying>saw only man: ao'
ing a mans work. Z
! When people came to see her afs
accepted them as if sure the rotlFe
were pure kindness. But she 'zmads
no visits herself, neither accented an
vifations to join in church 'atairs' Hor
the dances at the courthouse, where
formerly she had been,a leading spirit.
Phil wanted her to go-he. was willing
to endure nartyrdom for her sake.
But she smiled and shook her head
she meant never to 60 out among their
own people until their own people say
and acknowledged their mistake,
Time went swiftly; almost 'berors
she realized it came the anniversary
of their wedding. The garden mad
peen a modest gold mine, but she
would not let Phil buy her anything
save a fluffy Pomeranian puppy, agree.
ing, however. to his proposition that
they should show themselves that
night at the courthouse.
1t was not a dance, but an enter.
tainment by so-called psychic lee
turer. He was said to have marvellous
powers. Phil had sort OF feeling
that the villagers would think he
dreaded to face the seer. That Vas
untrue-he had even wild idea OF
going forward If subjects for expert
ment were called Second thought
showed him he had better stay be.
side Margery-people had been cor
dial to them, offering fluctuations with
no apparent reserves. He would dc
nothing to bring up the old story; in
twenty years perhaps he could live
1t down.
He heard little OF the lecture,
which was string Of platitudes. But
he was somehow aware OF a strange
infuence-somethin which got into
him and made him SILVER In spite OF
himself He was on the point OF ask.
ing Margery II she also felt 1t, when
he saw jim Franklin moving toward
the rostrum, his face family troubled.
He spoke low but earnestly to the lee.
turer, too low for the audience to
catch word. 1t watched with bated
breath as be sat down and fell under
influence.
For a minute he was silent, mo.
tionless, inert, 'as one in a deep and
refreshing sleep. Then he stirred and
sat up, opening eyes that did not see,
The lecturer spoke to him.
What did you do that night?" he
asked.
Franklin stood up. not uncertainty,
but like man with a purpose. He
had taken off his coat-it hung
neatly folded on the back OF chair.
He picked it up, took knife from
his pocket and ripped short length
of the stitches that held down the
collar. Through the rip he thrust his
fingers and drew out creased and
crumpled paper, narrowly folded,
spread it out, folded It again. tucked
it back in place and said as he re.
placed the coat:
Darn thousand dollar bills; this
one goes in bank tomorrow"
Phil darted toward the stage. his
face white and working. flushed cheer
ing followed him: the hypnotist held
I'D warning hand. He was making
swift passes over Jim. As Jim opened
his eycsthey rested on Phil and Mar.
gery-in their faces he read sons
thing momentous. He sprang up, hold
ing out both hands and saying husk-
lily:
Il know you didn't do 1t, Phil,
though I don't know how | know"
But we do" the hypnotist said
kindly.
Then for the first and only time
Phil fell forward In dead faint
ITO think sewed down that ripped
collar without ever dreaming it. meant
anything" inns mother explained
when she came to understand.
The mystery was plain enough.
jim, worried in sleep over the big bill,
had hidden II with the cunning OF
sonnambulism, and forgotten all about
The hiding. IT. might never have been
found except by rag picker but for
the hypnotic experiment. Be sure,
though. Jim meant what he said
namely. that getting back the money
was nothing compared to getting back
Phil, his closest friend.