Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-11
CHAPTER XIV.

The morning came dark anu STORMY,
with September gale driving in from
the Sound, and the trees flashing and
tossing gustily through gray slants OF
rain. 1t was so dark that until nearly
noon we kept the lights burning; and
through the unnatural morning we sat
about listlessly, unwilling to talk about
the impending crisis and unable to talk
of anything else for the unspOken
weight Of it upon our minds. Mrs.
Tabor kept her room, with Shei!a and
most Of the time Lady busy with her.
She seemed hardly to remember the
night before, save as vague shock;
and physically she was less weakened
by it than might have been expected;
but her mind wavered continually, and
she confused with her hallucination OF
Miriam the identity of those about her.
The rest of us talked and read by
snatches, and stared restlessly out OF
the rain-fecked windows. Mr.. Tabor
and I began game of chess.
It was we'll on In the afternoon
when the automobile came In sight.
swishing through the sodden grayness
with curtains drawn and hood and
running gear splashed with clinging
clots Of clay. None Of us knew who
saw 1t first; only that we three men
were at the door together encourag'
ing one another with our eyes. The
medium greeted us with gush OF
caressing politeness, glancing covert.
" among us. as she removed her
wraps, and bracing herself visibly be-
meath her unconcern. 1t was she who
made the first move, after Doctor
Paulus had introduced US and we were
seated in Mr.. Tabor's study behind
closed doors.
"Mr. Crosby is the gentleman who
turned the light on me last evening"
she said. wish / could express the
undulating rise and fall of her inflec-
ton. It was almost as If she sang
the words. "Of course with him pres.
ent would not be willing to do any
thing. It was very painful, besides
the risk, dreadful shock like that"
II shall not be in the ROOM an
swered, land I'm sorry to have caused
you any discomfort, Mrs. Mahl. We
needed the light. thought"
"Oh, it wasn't the PAIN she smil-
ed with lifted eyes. I'VE grow so
used to it that we don't consider SUI
fering. 1t was very dangerous, wax
ing one out of control suddenly. You
nigh. have killed me, but Of course
you weren't aware" She turned to
Doctor Paulus: "You understand,
Doctor, how 1t is, how 1t strains the
vitality. The gentleman didn't real
ize."
We had become. at the outset, four
strong men leagued against an appeal
ing and helpless woman. Perhaps l
should say three; for Doctor Paulus
did not reem impressed.
Eyes, know" he chirped. We
need not, however. consider that, You
are here. madam, as have told you,
for a scientific experiment under my
direction. Mr.. Crosby will not be in
the room With your permission, l
will now explain the nature of that ex-
pertinent There Is in this house q
lady, patient of mine, Mrs. Tabor,
who has for some time frequently sat
with you. She has on these occasions
habitually conversed. as she believes,
with the spirit of her daughter Mir
lam that is some years dead"
THAT Is our greatest work" She
was not looking at Doctor Paulus, but
at the rest of us. ITO be able to
soften the great separation. You
others hope for reunion beyond the
grave, but we ourselves know. II
you could only believe-if you could
realize how wonderful 1t is to have
communion with your
I'VE shall not go into that" said
Doctor Paulus. Mrs. Tabor. as said,
believes. She is therefore in hyster-
ical condition to which you have large
ly helped to contribute. l do not say
she is insane; she is not. But do
say she stands on the parting OF the
ways. and that, to save her mind, or
as it may be. her life. it is necessary
that these unhealthy conversations
shall cease"
The medium looked now at Doctor
Paulus. The poor woman! Isn't it
terrible? But you know. l can't be-
lieve. Doctor, that the sittings do any
thing butts soothe and comfort her.
1t can't be that you think her insane
Just because she believes in spiritual
ism? You believe too much yourself
for that"
Doctor Faulus looked at her stead
lily. Il have told you plainly that she
is not insane yet he said.
See here snapped Reid. He had
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