The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1915-09-23

httio Hf1tcnch uttofo tney many uth'
porsed and went about THAR business
Tommy Barclay alone remained. He
mounted the steps OF the car and
knocked on the glass OF the door. Pro.
fessor stilllter opened H.
Gould | see Celestial a minutcf"
I'm afraid not. She's dead tired"
But Celestia had heard Tommy'a
voice and came out OF her stateroom.
whore she had gone TO lie down.
"Pm not too tired" she called. and
I'D like to Q him"
"But only for n minute" cautioned
Professor Stilliter. and then, with
seeming reluctance. he withdrew and
closed behind the door OF the passage
that led past the staterooms 20 the
dining-rcom end OF the car. But the
professor went no farther. Having
closed the door. he applied his car 10
a hole that he had bored In Il for just
such occasions as this, and listened.
I'm sorry" CeleHtia vas saying.
that I had TO steal your audience
away from you. Il would have been
more spor,smanlike 10 let you finish
speaking and then 10 have tried to
steal their hearts and minds away
from you. Wouldn't it?"
YES" said Tommy. slowly. Il think
II would, Miss-Amesbury."
Behind his door Professor Stilliter
started os n someone had stuck a
knife in him.
why Miss Amesbury?" asked cs
lestia.
Because us your real name. ]
knew you when you were a baby. We
were great friends. Then you went
away. My father said you had gone
to heaven-so you had. but only to a
place that you were taught 20 believe
was heaven. Then you came to earth
and I've recognized you. ! wonder
| didn't before. But | do low. There's
no mistake possible"
What utter nonsense are you up
TO now?"
Sometimes little girls wear socks
and chubby brown legs. The little
Amesbury girl had a little round mole
just under her left knee
so have l." said Colestia, what OF
t?"
why this man stilliter." said
Tommy. who kidnapped you when you
were a Riddle. has taught you TO think,
by mental suggestion, that you are
what you think you are. instead Of Just
a lovely girl OF flesh and blood like
the rest OF us."
She shook her head and murmured
something about nonsense" but there
was something so earnest and on
vincing In the young mans voice and
n that what he said could not
but shock and distract her.
I'm sure you believe this. Tommy;
but it's quite out OF the question. | re-
member my heavenly home as II I
had left II yesterday"
you remember a mental conditi5n,
not a physical reality"
There was a short pause. Then.
What you've said ought not TO bother
me at ALL said Celestia. Il don't
know why you say Il. or why sou think
RS true, but please don't argue with
me about IL now. I'm so tired that I'd
almost like 20 believe II myself
Professor Stilliter pricked up his
ears at that, for ha knew yery we'll
wanting 10 believe a thing lives next
door 20 believing II. II Celcstla could
be made 10 belieye what Tommy had
told her. her influence would be at an
end. She would have 70 be got rid OF.
The professor trembled. The triumvir,
ate would be for putting her under.
ground. SO would he, but he would be
for putting her, not In the grave. but
back IN those vast caverns whence
she came. and where he, who had
power over her, could visit her at his
convenience.
He wanted the woman more than
the triumph OF that cause In whose in.
terest be had trained her 80 painstak.
lngly for 80 many years.
Lot her believe. He might be will.
ing TO help convince her. Ho wasn't
sure.
II" said Tommy. Il can show you
their caye-if | can find it-then would
you believer"
Il don't know" said Celestia. I'm
80 tired. Please don't talk TO me about
Il now" Then she smiled at him and
said - ITS n wonderful invention.
though Find the cave FIRST and then
talk 10 mo"
"CelestIa-don't you want to be-
lever"
Then Professor Stllliter heard a
sound that almost made him foam at
the mouth. she does want to believe
he thought. and the will and her use.
fulness will be at an end. and she viii
belong TO me. Why not anticipate a
ilttle?"
He stood trembling. He heard cs.
lostia enter her stateroom and lie
down with a sigh OF WEAKNESS. He l.s.
tened for a long time. Tho sound OF
her breathing told him she had not yet
gone 20 sleep. And anyway II was not
In his mind 10 disturb her now. That
would be for later. when the train was
In motion and the lights out.
So at last no walked s~tealthily on
10 his W car and called for u big
glass Of brandy and soda.
Meanwhile Celestia lay on her bed.
her hands folded on her breast. and