The Wrangell sentinel., 1917-10-18
A MENTAL
 MYSTERY
By ALAN HINSDALE

We have become used to an electric station sending forth its power across a continent or an ocean without any other medium than the atmosphere, but few of us are prepared to admit th4t one human brain is capable of affecting another human brain without any oth- CT medium than that of the wireless telegraph.
 Nevertheless, there are instances Of such communication.
 believe that there is a mental force not yet explained scientifically that carries these messages, and am going l to give the reason why l have arrived at this conclusion.
 am an artist From child l have been absorbed in the beauties of na- ture and their transmission to an- other form. As boy I could make these transformations so successfully that my pictures attracted the atten tion of my friends. Nothing would do but that I must be educated for an artist.
 But there was no means for the pur. pose. A younger sister of mine had been left small legacy by her grand mother. My sister-Eleanor was her name insisted on devoting this money to my education. l declined to accept it at first, but she insisted that would be successful artist, my pictures would sell at good prices, and I could repay her. Thus encouraged, I con- sented and entered an art school.
 Unfortunately my education took from me the ability l had shown in frcphand drawing. The technique re- quired for work that would pass the critics was obnoxious to me. Never theless. I persevered and mastered it. But 1 never regained the ability I had possessed to hit of something that in- dicated genius.
 spent several years after being graduated at the art school painting pictures which were no better than hundreds of other artists could paint. I regretted that had accepted my sis l ters loan. for l was scarcely able to make enough money to keep body and soul together, to say nothing of paying what had borrowed
 One winter broke down in health i and in the spring WAS told must have change of scene and air to build up my strength. In my weakened con dition my debt to my sister got on my mind, and l could not get it off. Flea nor begged me to stop worrying about it, but without suct ess. was sent off to the seashore and lodged in a i fisherman cottage.
 One morning 1 was sitting on the porch of the cottage looking out on the ocean. The sun was slinting the blue waves which were rolling in and break ing on the beach. Some fishermen were getting out their boat. gulls were i flying hither and thithcr overhead. one occasionally darting down to bounce upon fish was seized with de sire-natural to an artistic portray this scene.
 had not been permitted to bring my artists tools with me, so l could not do as l wished. As sat in my comfortable wicker chair. famed by bamy sea breeze. 1 began to work over an imaginary canvas. laying down on 1t the view before me. The picture grew in my mind as plainly as if were really putting 1t on canvas. i worked without effort-Or at least seemed to do soand was conscious of transferring the scene before me ex- actly as 1t was without the loss of any of its subtle beauties.
 Nevertheless there must have been a severe mental effort. for as soon as had finished my imaginary or mental work l lost consciousness and knew nothing till late in the afternoon. when found myself in bed.
 It was some time before l gained sufficient strength to go home. When l returned my sister told me that there was no further necessity for me to worry about my debt to her. for 1t had been paid. asked her who had paid ! it, and she said that l had paid it my self. Further than that she would give me no information until l had fully recovered.
 l One day after l had got stronger went. unbeknown to any one. to q room at home that l had used for a studio 1 There was desk in it. and, going to l this desk without any definite object. noticed pigeonhole that had been empty was now full of papers. I took them out and found they were letters that had accumulated during my ill., ness. opened one and read it. It was from dealer In pictures asking me if 1 had any of my work for sale. He had constant demand for 1t. Aston ished. l opened another and another. They were all requests for nl3 pictures.
 While was thus engaged nT sister came in. She seemed much put out that l had coIne upon the letters. But the explanation must now come out. and she gave it to me.
 i One morning while 1 was at the sea- shore she had come into my stulio and something. she knew not what. had prompted her to sit down before my easel. take my implements and begin to sketch. She had no ability whatever