Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-07


scratch with his finger the waxen
droppngs Of the candle
ut /, working splcndidly." were his
low words of qualification. But must
tighten the bonds to-day for the SUI
prcmc effort"
The visitor. after another cautious
reconnaissance, tip-toed to the wall and
ran his hands lightly along the ivory
spring.
A swinging door opened, and with
knowing expression he peered within.
Light footballs on the parQuet floor
of the hallway warned aim and he
closed 1t with feline swiftness.
AS Mona entered the room her friend
Arthur Varncy. laid down the book in
which he had apparently been deeply
interested to greet her with an un-
usual warmth in his black eyes.
Good morning. Arthur" and Monas
smile was as radiant as she extended
her hand. Wont YOU take OF your
ovcrcoat and make it real morning
call?"
unfortunately. I cannot" answered
the other. walking toward the library
table. after turning his dark eyes to-
ward her. with strange, almost hun
CRY look. which brought a blush 70
Mona's white brow-she knew not why.
Il just dropped In to ask you to so
10 the opera on the night OF your birth
day. 1t Will be Faust. VIII you
come"
Mona clapped her hands sleefully.
81 should love to-that is. unless
her But. listen" and she leaned to-
do you know this sisn2"
fitting back her happy face sha
startled him by repeating the myster-
ious gesture which had frightened her
mother.
Narney's face registered surprising
samut OF expressions. and he was
specchless for breathless pause. His
voice was hoarse as h" demanded.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
"Ha. ha. Isn't 1t funny? That's
what mother wants to know. But, Ar
thur. tell me--do YOU know anything
about devil worshipcrs? am so
curious about It all"
Varney smiled az though relieved
OF some great fear.
Then no one taught YOU that?"
NO. / just did it unconsciously. and
YOU should have seen how absurdly
mother acted. oh. she was drcll.
Tell me what you have heard of them"
Narney mopped his forehead as he
laughed, to Gallantly add
IL don't know anything about devil
worshipers--I. dear girl. am an angel
worshipcr.'
And as the crimson mounted to her
IL hn l.. bor J,a
Varncy was apparently intent upon
some deeper subject than opera. how
ever. or he turned TO the table. upon
which stood a bizarre black metal dra-
son. supporting upon its spiny back
remarkably perfect sphere OF polished
rock crystal. He lifted this from it's
stand and turned the deep black eyes
upon her with an intensity which stir
rcd the girl strangely.
And speaking OF angels. Mona" his
voice had dropped to low, vibrant
note scarcely audible even to the girl,
who instinctivcly strained her ears
to catch his words. have you had any
more vision with this queer old crys-
tai OF your fathers? You remember.
| showed YOU how TO use IT month
ago."
The girl was gazing at the rides
cent globe as he slowly turned 1t be
tween his fingers, advancing 1t toward
her eyes.
Yes" and she spoke slowly. as
though it were difficult to renunciate
the words. II tried several times,
Arthur, but could not succeed as
did when you first showed me how"
Narncy raised the globe gradually to
n position level with her forehead-it
90
with strain upon her eyes. yet she
followed the ElitternE crystal with
steady gaze as he continued in sooth-
ing tones:
Now look hard--it is so easy when
one knows how. There. do you see
far up into the boundless space See.
il is growing blue. like the sky-and
there arc clouds-do you see them
Mona nodded slowly, her eyes never
relaxing from their rightly. Her ex-
quisite young body had lost it's girl
ish suppleness-she stood. her arms
stiff at her side, each muscle tense and
increasing in rigidity.
Varney's eyes never left hers in that
compelling. mastery manner which had
been the primary secret OF the undc-
niabie fascination which Mona had felt
for him since their first meeting on the
night OF her debut.
Curious. isn't 1t? he droncd: lit Is
80 beautiful that YOU can't even de-
scribe 1t. You can't even speak now,
can you. Mona"
She slowly shook her head, still
gazing.
His manner now changed His voice
grow as mastery and vibrant as his
compelling gaze had been.
"Mona-do not forget To come to-
night. You must obey the messages
send you. DO YOU hear
She nodded. very family.
Narney smiled with cunning twist
Of his mouth which looked oddly mis-
placed upon the face OF the handsome
young clubnan that he was.
lie snapped his fingers close by her
car and lowered the crystal.
Mona. Mona. talk to me-wake up."
he commanded.
The girls eyes fluttcred and opened