The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1916-03-23
CHAPTER XXI (continued.)

The motion ceased. was gazing
down upon a great city, built upon n
narrow spur of land between two riv-
ers, city Of towering buildings and
busy streets: then upon q single house,
set in the midst of lofty elms; then
was In room, a room with books
against the walls, and door opening
upon garden. From the garden tho
light faded. and the darkness came,
and a clock somewhere struck IL. Then,
suddenly, at the door appeared two
white robed figures, an old man and a
girl. The man was talking violently,
but the girl crossed the room without
backward glance, and passed through
door on its farther side. The man
stood for moment looking after her.
then flung himself into a chair, and
put his hands before his face.
With creeping flesh, looked again
at the outer door, waiting who would
enter. And slowly, slowly, the drapery
was put aside, and a face peered in. /
could see its flashing eyes and work
ing mouth. A hand, in which a knife
cleaned, was raised cautiously to the
cord, and when it was lowered, 1t held
a piece Of the cord within it's grasp.
could see the eager fingers fashioning
knot; then. with head bent, the figure
crept forward foot by foot; 1t was at the
chair back, and even as the old man,
conscious at last of the intruder, raised
his head, the cord was cast about his
throat and drawn tight. There was a
moments struggle, and 1 saw that the
hand which held the cord was red with
blood. From the wrist, a stained
handkerchief fell softly to the floor.
And then the assassin turned to steal
away; but as he went, he cast one
awful glance over his shoulder. The
light fell upon his face-and saw that
1t was SWANS!
opened my eyes to find myself ex-
tended full length on the divan, with
Silva standing over me- a tiny glass of
yellow liquid in his hand.
Drink this" he said, and swallowed
1T obediently.
1t had a pungent. unpleasant taste,
but 1 could feel it running through my
veins, and 1t cleared my mind and
steadied my nerves as though by
magic. / sat UP and looked at the
crystal. The ether lights in the room
had been switched on, and the sphere
lay cold and lifeless. passed my
hand before my eyes, and looked at it
again; then my eyes sought Silva's He
was smiling softly.
The visions came" he said. Your
eyes tell me that the visions came Is
it not SOP"
YES" answered; Strange visions,
Senior Silva. I wish I knew their
origin"
Their origin is in the Universal
Spirit" he said, quietly. Even yet you
mo-" and 1 looked again at the crys-
tai. There are some things past be-
lief"
Nothing is past belief" he said, still
more quietly. You think so because
your mind Is wrapped in the conven-
tons amid which you exist. Free it
from those wrappings, and you will be-
gin really to live. You have never
known what life is"
How am I to free it, Senior Silva %
questioned.
He took step nearer to me.
by becoming a disciple of the Holy
One" he said, most earnestly.
But was myself again, and 1 rose
to my feet and shook my head, with a
smile.
NO." I said: you will get no con-
vert here. I must be going"
Il will open the gate for you" he
said, in another tone, and led the way
down the stairs, through the library,
and out upon the gravelled walk.
After the drugged atmosphere Of his
room, the pure night air was like a
refreshing bath, and drew in long
breaths Of it. Silva walked beside me
silently; he unlocked the gate with a
key that he carried in his hand, and
pulled 1t open.
Good night, Mr.. Lester" he said.
1.-THE sphere Is at your service should
you desire again to test it. Think over
what have said to YOU"
Good might" answered, AMI
stepped through, into the road.
The gate swung shut and the key
grated in the lock. Mechanically, I
turned my steps toward Godfrey's
house; but 7 seemed to be bending I'M
der a great burden-the burden Of the
vision.
A