The Washington times., 1916-05-07
CONTINUED from Page Fourteen.)

Nothing wrongl why. doctor
you're numbering my child before my
eyesv screamed the anguished mother.
Astral ssay h NAY Isfa NJ. sSa
che Ia on some strange journey which
VIII mean much to her." he answered
What do you mean7" |
II believe that she has sent her soul
In search Of the persons who are perse- |
cutting her. You know that, she Ia the |
victim of terrible conspiracy. You
have lost two other daughters in the
- ass, wSHym ,Ss your husband died
His voice was resonant with mastery. |
He fairly Numbered at her. as he ad-
ded:
Now. you must help me and help
Miss Myra for her own sake. The time
has come for US to face the truth with
out out, fear ear, Bs quiet. until we get some
ousiy. for the mother Instinct was
stronger than logic, more urgent than
thoughts for the future. Yet there was
the professional force in his command,
the insistence OF the physician. the earn
than mere scientic interest. Her In
tuition told her that Payson Alden
cared moro for her daughter than even
he would admit. And SO she resigned
faith In his ability to save the situation.
But nature was not to be denied. The
shock OF Myra's appearance. In It's
CHASTITY replica OF the same fate which
had overtaken the other two sisters at
her age. the mental suffering which the
family tragedies had kept continually
I'm her mind combined to bring a snap
ping OF the overtaxed nerves.
She tainted. and the physician ran to
her side.
He placed her In another chair, and
administered first aid. torn between con-
filcting emotions.
Had he been studying the face Of his
subject he might have noticed about
this time tremulous quivering of the
muscles which Indicated that the soul
journey was not all placid!
The Black Order. In which II seemed
its evil genius. was In session. Obedient
to instruction from their ruler. the cele-
brants were heavily hooded in the black
betrayed any expression Of humanity in
the sombre-garbed figures which sat
motionless about the center disc. No
man knew his neighbor. for there were
more members than the thirteen who
usually formed It's meeting quota. The
leader of ceremonies was refilling the
tripod-fane with fresh incense. The
pungent vapor arose In grotesque puns
and sinuous curves to the sooty ceiling.
Suddenly one of the group. with a
grunt of mingled fright and amazement.
nudged his nearest fellow, and pointed
toward the smoke above the brazier.
The black cloud had become hazy
gray In spots and had assumed a start
ling shape.
The figure OF a young girl. with hands
affrightedly clasped was discernible In
the shadowy contours. Her appealing
eyes were wide with amazement.
| One by one the brethren of the unholy
community drew attention to the
strange phenomena. Used as they were
to strange occurrences. still here was
Ill H. A.
standing And yet the ever-present fear
OF the Masters punishment stilled their
| tongues!
But one Of them. the last Of the cir
Gle to be appraised, sprang unsteadily to
| He advanced toward the incense tri-
pod. and drew back his black hood. the
better to see the astonishing vision.
At first an exclamation Of horror n s es,
by the left hand Of satani 1t is
Myra Maynard herself"
His companions rose excitedy. as the
apparition faded into the darker shades
| OF the smoke.
He rushed toward the curtains to the
inner chamber.
Master! Master. must speak to
you!"
The angry voice replied from within:
Enter, Varney! But forbade CONVEX
sation, and commanded all the breth-
ern to wear their hoods!
Arthur Varney. pressing his hand to
his forehead. the victim of two oddly
conflicting emotions. CROPPED into the
pitchy grotto. The Spectral Head shone
Indignantly at him. as It's blue light
fused with the red glow which gradu-
aiiy disclosed the features OF the ruler.
Master! She Is here We all saw
Myra materialize in the incense smoke'
What does 1t mean?"
A laugh OF emulation. more horrid
halafu tnnaa of thrant-
ening. Missed through the evil poten'
How did you see IT." he spoke,
eagerly.
have sworn that 1t was her flesh and
blood, and yet she disappeared once
1T is her astral body, varney! Has
death mantra! Chant and will In uni
son to BREAK the astral thread! We
have victory In our grasp!
Varney turned to obey; then his heart
impulse asserted itself again.
"Oh, Master! Can she not be spared
for me? I love herr he begged.
Fool! DO you not know that she can
be yours for a thousand thousand OF
away? obey! You learned the penalty
once before!'
Varney hesitated, and head dropping.
he returned TO his fellows. He repeated
the command; Chant and VIII In unison
TO break the astral thread! J"
The ceremonial priest threw fresh In
cense into the tripod braZier and volu-
minous clouds OF the smoke arose. AT
first the worshipers of the evil one
choked with the density of the biting.
pungent heaviness OF the surcharged
air.
Then, under the guidance Of the lead
err, they swayed back and forth, kissing
the cabalistic phrase OF occult death.
Each time the celebrants completed
Hum" they raised their arms, and with
a quick Jerk pantomined the gesture OF
breaking an invisible thread.
Their eyes were intent upon the roll
ing smoke clouds.
Gradually the form OF the miserable
girl materialized in the vapors, and her
face evidenced frightful struggle
against the evil power which was en-
I pnlfinp her