The San Francisco call., 1913-07-27
Copyright 1912
BY A. G. McC Cawrg |
& Co. |

..=;;=;==-I= I=
sand tiny pieces, resembling crystal
mosaic. And the change had beer
wrought without sound and seemingly
without human agency.
For just moment Cameron stared
in dumb awe. When he turned to me
he appeared suddenly to have aged.
His eyes were lusterless. and his
cheeks wore gray pallor.
MY Cod" he murmured in a kind
Of breathless whisper.
would have given a great deal to
have been able to allay that terror of
the impalpable which was gripping
him. But / was helpless. Shocked
and astoundAd. myself. solace was not
at my command. turned in haste to
one Of the long windows which opened
on the outer balcony. Drawing back
the sashes, l stepped outside and
leaned. listening. over the railing.
But the night was strangely still.
There was no sound, even of stirring
leaves. A breeding hush seemed spread
over all the outdoor world. looked
up to find the heavens wrapped in a
pail of inky cloud And then. with a
feeling Of having fed from lesser to
4 greater evil, returned to the lighted
room and closed the window to shut
out the horror Of the night.
Cameron was standing where / had
left him. He looked wosfuliy tired and
haggard.
Explain it," he cried. hoarsely. my
God, Clyde, explain IT."
II would to heaven / could" was
my forlorn reply.
Seldom have ] passed more miser-
able hour than that which followed
upon the seemingly phenomenon
have described.
To my dismay I found Cameron
quite incapable OF anything approach
Ing calm, common sense discussion
OF the matter, and realized to the full
the mischief which this last perform
ance, coming as climax upon a week
OF more or less disquietude, had eff
fected
He sat most of the time with head
bent forward and knees doubled, his
toes touching the floor but his heels
raised and In constant vibrating move
ment. as though stricken with palsy.
In vain I endeavored to arouse him;
to stir in him spirit Of retaliation
Some one was playing tricks upon
him. Common sense told US that, how
ever mysterious these happenings ap-
peared. they could not have occurred
without human agency. II was our
task to discover the agent and punish
him. This was my line Of argument;
but through 1t all Cameron sat un-
moved and unresponsive
rang for one of the footmen and
had some brandy brought, and forced
Cameron to swallow stiff drink. But
even this stimulant had small effect
upon him. And when. finally, | re-
luctantly bade him good night, / was
overwhelmed by the pathos of his con-
dition.
The tidinss which came to me with
my coffee the following morning were
more than half expected. Cameron
was Ill. and his physician had been
summoned from New York.
When reached Cragholt the doctor
had come and gone and trained nurse
was In attendance. Evelyn, meeting
me In the hall conveyed this intelli-
gence in breath and then. laying
hold upon me, q slender hand upon
each coat sleeve, her big eyes plead
Ing and anxious, she ran on:
1T Is shock, Doctor Massey says.
Deferred shock, he called it. He says
Uncle Robert has suffered from some
sudden grief, fright. or other dreadful
mental impression. His temperature
10 way below normal and his pulse is
. sort of rapid feeble hutter. Oh, do
tell me what you know about It. What
shock has he hadi He was gay
enough when you and he went from
the music room last evening. What
happened afterward?"
Caressingly I rested my palms upon
her shoulders
My dear little GIRL" I said, sooth-
insiy. Il am sorry can't satisfy your
very natural curiosity"
But. II isn't curiosity" she cor
rected. Its interest" j.
Well. interest then. Somsthiug did
but to tell you just what 1t
was and why 1t was = shock to him,
! am not able. Not now, at least.
Maybe some day you1l know all
about It.
There never was more reasonable
young person than Evelyn Grayson.
Most girls. l fancy. would have teased
and grown peevish at being denied.
But she seemed to understand.
(To Be Continued Next Sunday