Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-21
The Astral Body.
CHAPTER Nj

-
Varnev calling upon Myra Maynard.
Myrn's mother artlcssly prattled OF
the doctors narrow escape from chok-
ing the night before.
probably the doctor is in poor
health" put in Varney. "He is spend
ing too much time on this ridiculous
occult stuff. which is all imagination.
The man is apt 10 lose his mind--if
he hasn't already done So"
But the arrival of the physician put
an end to Varncy's further animadver-
sions.
Myra. however was piQued.
"Dr. Alden, my friend Arthur Will
not believe what l tell him about the
visions | have He says that tho
occult. is all nonsense, and that am
jus: letting my imagination play silly
tricks with me. Perhaps YOU can cor
vince him how deadly serious ii all
is"
Alden smiled cynically: there was no
affection wasted between the two men.
The physician was vainly cndcavorinG
TO analyzc the others motives. ard an
instructive distrust drew a barrier be-
tween them.
We'll. have no Interior motive in
convincing Mr.. Varney. There are none
so blind az those who do not wish
TO use their sight I am not an oc-
cultist. merely Il physician interested in
natural phenomena. Even what most
have already learned to he as natural.
as material. indeed as the working of
the telegraph. tho telephone, the
growth OF the flowers. the painting OF
the suns rays upon the Photographic
plate.
Science has demonstrated many
things which in former times were
ridirulcd. We have proved in hospitals
and medical schools that people may
be hypnotized-that there is an extra
or subconscious. mind which is busy
during the hypnotic sleep Instructions
given during trance To be followed
out after waking are ohcyed TO the
letter. That same subconScious mind
, is the one which enables many people
to awaken without an alarm clock at
some definite time desired. The sub
conscious mind never sleeps. The out
, side, or objective mind forgets, hut the
. inner one, never"
''.All bosh!" jecrcd Varney. 81 only
believe what ] can see"
Did you ever see the current in an
electric wire?'
Alden leaned forward excitedly.
II have myself been in an ordinary
room. and have seen real hand and
arm matcrialized out OF the thin air.
, 7 have seen objects carried across the
room with no visible means of lifting.
have seen tables walk across floors
and tilt themselves on edge. when the
pSStnit OF Intululn WAS not tOuCnln
them! All this, mind YOU. happened in
; clear light, with many witnesses pres
.cnt. And just as that inner mind
, knows. remembers, plans ard creates
things which the simpler. matter-of-
: fact brcad-and- butter, mind cannot do.
so that same mind can project itself In
:, the astral"
Mrs, Maynard's face began to twitch
, ncrvously. She intcrposcd almost lr-
ritably:
cdr. Alden, cannot listen to this
ridiculous nonsense any longer. You
arc poisoning AIyra's mind"
, "'rhe brcad-and butter mind appeals
, more TO me-" added Earney. (which
, reminds me that would appreciate
some moro marmalade on my tea bis
cult"
"All right, YOU will, see" stoutly de-
: clared Payson Alden. "Thc mysterious
= forces OF the mind are beyond our
. understanding. hut know what have
. seen have received messages"
lie was interrupted by tho telephone
ncli Narn'r, sitting nearest the library
table. picked up the receiver to reply
Hello YES! lust a ninutc-
y and he squintcd at Or. Alden with a
vague suggestion OF perplexty which
the physician could not divine Here
II is some ono TO talk TO you One. Of
Your messages from the ghosts, doc
tor"
k Alden walked to the instrument to
reply.
|, Hello. is that you. Or. Alden? Give
d The word"
But the physician smiled and an
swercd quietly: Psyche"
I NarncH cast suspicious glance nj
: me Doctors calm face. a hundred con-
d lectures flashing through his mind
Il The voice continued IT have suc-
cccdcd have been initiated and now
n | know their passwords. signs and
: other secrets"
\ smile came into the doctors ewes
Very good Fine" he replied, hang
2 ing up the receiver without the for
. mality of n farewell
: Narney cudgelled his brain to identi-
!, ~ that familiar voice. Impulsively
= he blurtcd out: who was that. Df
= Aldcn:"
Just friend" was the cool re.
y Spouse
; But freezing suspicion was rradn.
;, ally asserting itself behind tho othc,
mans mask of sanGfroid. Looking a,
his watch, he made an excuse To leave
:, the house for an important appoint.
'. mont. Alden brcathcd a sigh of re.
q lief w|cn he had left.
e I'd like to make little cxamina.
ton there" lie explained, while yo,
= are getting rested up Il biz. It vii
- not take long"
:, the upper floor. where the girl wa:
given nervous lecture by her mothe,
and urged to foreswear all future dab
bling with tho unknown dangers
/. Alden. provided with lighted can.
y die by the maid lost no time In do.
scending to the deserted chamber
F.. He made careful examination o.
" the ancient black altar. running hi.
Z fingers over its duh panels. Suddcnl,
his search was rewarded; the woot
: slid back. exposing n small compart
I. ncnt. into which the physician pcerct
+ eagerly. AS he pressed ii. small
: drawer flew open: Alden drew from 4
II n roll OF parchment, and was as
9 founded to see the name OF Myra'.
father. II was the diploma Of mem
bership In the BLACK Order,
Payson Alden spranG To his feet II
u his excitement he overturned the can.
n dlestick.
IS The chamber was inky dark as h,
+. endeavored to find the light once more
= At this juncturc the butler. on tn,
floor above. peercd Into the il-fatct