Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-28
CHAPTER XVI.

Or. Alden had returned to the side
OF the silent body.
over the white face. strokins the
aureate locks tenderly.
Look, doctor" she exclaimed. al
most I'm a Shrek. See the cold pers-
piration on her forehead--it is dripping
wet. oh, doctor. Myra is dying"
She sank to her knees hopelessly.
Mothers instinct, the prompting OF
thousand years in such stress. as
serted itself Mrs. Maynard buried her
face in her hands on Myra's lap her
lips moved in barely audible prayer
What can I do?' and Alden's Inns
his ability to bring back the wander
ing spirit.
He looked about him in nervous
frenzy.
Then he too sank To his knees, to add
his entreaties 10 the mothers
Unwittingly. they had cast against
the spell Of the devil worshipers the
only anttdote TO that pervasive force,
humility. faith. a concentration of
white magic power more intense than
even the powers of the spirits OF evil
Neither of them saw the nutterinG Of
the eyeiids nor the softeninG relaxa-
tion Of the frigid face.
But Myra, as she returned to earthly
vision, looked down upon the two fig
ures-gently, not surprsed-as though
world
Mother. she breathed softly.
Mother. I've come back"
"Oh. thank God" and her mother
burst into happy tears. "Oh, my little
girl, touch me. look at me, sneak to
me. Tell me once that you arc safe"
The girl laughed weakly it is true.
but with the old familiar ring in the
siivery voice.
I'm here. mother-but. oh, it was
terrible! I'm so glad to be in your
arms once more
Alden mopped his forehead; his face
broke into a smile, although few
seconds before he had felt as though
he could never smile again.
He arose stiftiy. He leaned for sup
por, against his cabinet. for he, too
had been fighting the great battle with
more tremendous outpourinE Of vital
force than he had ever realized was
his
Heaven be praised" he said earnest
ly. We-thought--you- had-gone-
The girl lifted her arms. Then she
frowned.
"Oh. how they hurt"
Alden hurried to his desk for some
liniment. He rubbed and massaged the
muscles witE his inimitab!e skill as he
smiled into her eyes reassurinGly.
They Will be All right in few
minutes now. Don't worry about that
The astral came back this way first
You use your hands to express your
emotions so much that they are more
sensitive than any other part OF your
body. That is because you are must
clan as we'll DO you feel bad any
place else
Here" and Myra placed a hand over
her heart a bit weakly ~ feel as
though something had been Juggling
tugGinE. oh. to the breaking point"
What do YOU remember" asked Al
den apprehensively. Perhaps that
will explain it,"
Myra closed her eyes reminiscently
She was silent for a minute or two. as
her mother and Alden bent over her
anXiously.
Can you recall it now?" urged the
doctor.
Nothing exccpt-incense. Oh, such
horrible incense! And men--men sing
ing such a queer song: they were all
and ON Pari Hum! What on
earth can that be?"
She looked up at him ludicrously.
Alden was puzzled and shook his
head
Doctor Alden. Myra must go home.
She is delirious." insisted Mrs. May
nard.
Alden nodded UNDERSTANDINGS
Myra rose weakly from the chair.
and then another memory came to her.
On, yes. saw tnlS---
She gave the fist and thumb sign
of the devil worshipers Alden's pleas
ant face was drawn into a scowl OF
fury he realized the significance of
this.
He stormed about the laboratory
Myra and even her mother were sur
prised ut the tempest of rage.
ITS that accused Black Order. I'm
going there now myself I'll put an
end to this" he cried. beating one
palm with his clenched fist.
But. Doctor Alden. don't you realize
ously. new and surprising light in
her eyes. which Alden in his wrath did
not notice
'Myra, you must go home with me
at once. child" interrupted her mother.
Alden hurried TO help her with her
wraps. AS he turned to assist Myra,
the girls entreaties convinced him that
her interest had deepened His own
hand trembled as he took hers to as
sure her that he was we'll able to guard
himself.
Don't be afraid. Miss Maynard. I
VIII be very careful I know the ma
ture OF this menace now-far better
than you would imagine: indeer, far
better than I did twenty-four hours
ago. SO, don't worry. We have too
much to fight for now. both you and l.,
fer me to risk everything foolishly"
The girl dropped her eyes and sighed
as he spoke.
great surge of feeling thrilled Pay
son Alden. as he realized that Fate
seemed to be accomplishing more than
his most ardent hopes could have done
! His wrath was now under control, and
as, they looked into each others eyes
there was no need for further speech.
Mrs. Maynard realized that here at
last, was PRACTICAL demonstration Of