Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-14

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reached the library. Cnerringly. she
walked to the panel which concealed
the strange opening into which Var
neg had Deered with such satisfaction.
ter myers brushed along the woodwork
untii they reached the secret spring.
Inc panel slid back, and Myra ad-
VanCed-drawn by tie irresistible urge
OF the unknown potcncics.
She descended a narrow. steep stair
way TO sinister chamber cunnimgly
concealed within solid stone enclo-
sure OF the foundations Of the old
house.
This was the secret communion
place OF Myra's father, and since his
death nothing had been disturbed, II
had been constructed in the house by
workmen from another city while Mrs.
Mason and the little girls had been So
journing at the scashore.
The faded black velvet hangings
which shrouded the stone walls made
II seem much larger than it's actual
dimensions.
Cobwebs hung in the corners. and a
pail Of dust covered ths strange altar
which stood in the corner farthest from
the rickety stairway. This was paint ed
black and covered with a moth eaten
scarlet cloth of Some Oriental fabric.
In the center of this lay a parch-
nent scroll. held in place by long
liindoo dagger. which had been foribly
jabbed into the wooden top Of the al
tar.
AS the slcep-walker entered. the can
dies casting crotesque shadows across
the barren hoor. number OF rats.
absolutely white. scurrlcd into the
corners OF the stone chamber in
which they had been niystcriously
dwelling through these long years.
What they could find in this room TO
eat was "a mystery; their small red
eyes sparkled venomously. emitting "A
dull glow.
Myra advanced to the altar. riacIn z
the candle beside the impalcd parch :
ncnt. She kn.lt before il. and even
as a shudder passed through her thinly
clad shoulders, her fingers trcmcn-
douslv frightened and she placed her
clenchcd fists thumbs up. in the posi-
ton. which she had accidentally
learned that morning.
In the light OF tho Pickering taper
Myra leaned forward TO read tho
threatening words. She drew the dag.
ger from the tablc-hcr hand rnovinc
as though IL were propelled by some
unseen arm. Her muscles tiEhtened
against the force-shc was resisting
it with all her youthful vigor: and yet
the glitterinS weapon came nearer and
nearer her breast.
The girl WAS sobbiur-n that un.
natural automatic manner of one in
"A delriuin,
She moaned and averted her head.
as though plcadini; inwardlv with the
tyrannical will OF the occult
The rats scurricd across the floor
with increasing boldncss---this visitor
had been there many time. before and
had never harmed them.
The poinard point was now firmly
pressing against her breast sudden
IL the supernatural power seemed 10
jerk her arm high in the air Dlungine
the cold steel blade downward-not
into her hcsh but into the altar. where
II once more impalcd the parchment.
Her hand relaxed limply. and dropped
20 her side. The r:gidity OF her pose
now melted away, and she dropped like
diving flower as she buried her face
in her hands. to sob miscrably.
Then she spoke the first sounds which
had come from the wan lips since her
entry:
Yes. yes-I viii obey at ;hc APP
pointed hour
With low moan the girl rose un-
steadily to her feet. caught up the
candle. Hc- lief; hand outstrctchcd
as though led by her invisible guide.
She closed tho panel noiselcssly. to
mount the broad stairway and wander
toward her own room.
TIE trance was unbrok"n when she
cStinEuishcd the light to fail exhaust
cd into tho comfortable embrace OF the
c"vcrlets. In a twisted position Of
discomfort, Myra lay AS one dead until
the sunbcams straycd into her window.
to play their tonaI rcvcille upon tho
fantastic figures of tho Bokhara rug
by her bedside.
When Myra awoke she discovered 10
her dsmay a peculiar black stain upon
the fingers and palm OF her left hand
II was with difficulty that she finally
removed II.
What can this mean" she thought
The disQuieting points OF tho preceding
day were beginning to affect even her
youthful nerves. Il must not toll poor
mother or she would have another ncr-
rous spell"
During breakfast both Myra and
Mrs. Mason were lost IN their own
thoughts to such an extent that faith
full Willis had to remind them that
the eggs and coffee were becoming
cold.
The tinkle OF the telephone sum
moncd Willis TO the library He re-
turned to announce that DR. Alden was
on the wire. insisting on an interview
with Mrs. Mason.
Myra's mother fairly jumped in her
chair. with surprise-then. with n
frightened look at Myra, she answered
angrily: Tell that man that ] do not
care to speak to him. Tell him also
not to telephone or call again"
And Myra. her arched hrows in an
anxious frown, dropped her eyes 20 n
rose as she nervously plucked the
petals one by one.