The silver messenger. (Challis, Idaho) 1890-1912, 1912-02-06

formerly she had been a leading spirit.
Phil wanted her to go-he was willing
to endure martyrdOm for her sake.
But she smiled and shook her head
she meant never to 60 out among their
own people until their own people saw
and acknowledged their mistake.
Time went swiftly; almost before
she realized it came the anniversary
of their wedding. The garden had
been a modest gold mine, but she
would not let Phil buy her anything
save 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 a so-called psychic lee
turer. He was said to have marvellous
powers. Phil had a sort of feeling
that the villagers would think he
dreaded to face the seer. That was
untrue-he had even a wild idea OF
going forward if subjects for expert
ment were called. Second thought
showed him he had better stay be-
side Margerv-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
it down.
He heard little of the lecture
which was a string of platitudes. But
he was somehow aware of a strange
misunderstanding which got into
him and made him SILVER in spite o.
himself. He was on the point of ask
ing Margery il she also felt it, wher
he saw Jim Franklin moving TOWARD
the rostrum, his face family troubled
He spoke low but earnestly to the lee
catch word. 1t watched with Bate
breath as he sat down and fell unde
influence.
For minute he was silent, me
tionless, inert, as one in a deep an
refreshing sleep. Then he stirred an
,, sat up, opening eyes that did not see
The lecturer spoke to him.
What did you do that night?"
asked
Franklin stood up, not uncertainl.
but like man with purpose. H
had taken off his coat-it hun
neatly folded on the back of chat
! He picked it up, took a knife frol
, his pocket and ripped short lengt
| of the stitches that held down til
Y collar. Through the rip he thrust h
\ fingers and drew out a creased an
\ crumpled paper, narrowly folde
4 spread it out, folded 1t again, tucke
\ it back in place and said as he r
I placed the coat:
n Darn thousand dollar bills; tn
K one goes in bank tomorrow"
y Phil darted toward the stage,
q face white and working. flushed chez
u ing followed him; the hypnotist he
up a warning hand. He was makil
swift passes over Jim. AS Jim open,
his eyes they rested on Phil and Ma
gery-in their faces he read som
thing momentous. He sprang up, hol
ing out both hands and saying hus
lily:
Il know you didn't do it, Phi
= though l don't know how l know
= But We do" the hypnotist sa
I kindly.
j Then for the first and only tir
| Phil fell forward in dead faint.
ITO think | sewed down that ripp
collar without ever dreaming it mea
anything" Jim's mother explain
when she came to understand.
Ill The mystery was plain enous
We jim, worried in sleep over the big b
re had hidden 1t with the cunning
l." sonnambulism, and forgotten all abe
id, the hiding 1t might never have be
found except by rag picker but
a the hypnotic experiment. Be su
l." though, Jim meant what he SAID
90 namely, that getting back the mon
/ was nothing compared to getting ba
Phil, his closest friend.