The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1917-03-23
A FISHER FOR SOULS

Blu VICTOR ROUSSEAU


Although we had been in a measure
prepared by the Doctors announce
ment, was startled almost into excla-
nation by the contrast which they pre-
scented. Imagine woman of great sta
ture; yet not too tall for her magnifi-
cent proportions, statuesque, and NOV
ing with an easy grace which would
have attracted notice in any drawing.
room. Add wealth of dark hair, pair
of magnificent eyes, just now glancing
with amused scorn at the little, mis-
shapen figure at her side, the bust Of
Juno, the hand of a Venus, a gown
of the most fashionable cut-stolen,
have every reason to believe; imag-
inc all this and then picture her COM
panion. He stood perhaps five feet
three. The hump on his left shoulder
was clearly perceptible, and, as with
most hunchbacks, his legs were abb
normally long. His sallow face was
irregular, his ears protruding, his lea
lures had all the asymmetry of the de-
generate; the only thing that saved
him from responsiveness and even
added a certain dignity, was the pair
of thoughtful brown eyes that looked
up with intense compassion at the
regal figure beside him.
well, my dear Doctor" said Miss
surance, 1--WE have come, you see, as
we promised. Though precisely why
we have done so do not know, except
that felt l owed some little return to
Captain Clough for his kindness to
me-"
ALLOW me to present you," said I'm
manuel to each of us, and we were
formally introduced. 1t was quite evil
dent that Miss Gabelle intended to
set the tone of the evenings proceed
ings in accordance with the customs
of her upbringing, and she certainly
dominated the meeting.
Miss Gabelle," said Emmanuel,
making slight bow, Captain Clough
has brought you here strictly as a pa
tient. You will permit me, therefore,
to discuss your case as pure abstrac-
ton, without reference to your feel
ings-which l shall endeavor not to
hurt"
by all MEANS" answered the lady.
showing her white teeth in smile.
Now, Captain, will you enlighten
us as to the cause of this visit?" asked
the Doctor. Assume that the matter
has never before been spoken of, you
know. That will start us off in the
best way"
Captain Clough arose and stood be-
side the Doctor. When he spoke his
body seemed shaken by emotion.
Yes, I'll tell you why we are here,
gentlemen" he said. Miss Gabelle
has most kindly consented to my
bringing her to DR.. Emmanuel to see
whether her case can be diagnosed
l would say that have come to Doc
tor Emmanuel because l know him
to be a thoroughly Christian man, and
l know that his healing is not through
his own power but held as a humble
trust for One greater than he"
Nov, Captain" said Miss Gabelle
archly, isn't that trade jargon? Isn't
it?" She shook her finger at him re-
provingly.
Our dear sister here" the Captain
resumed, "has been very sorely af-
flicted. l cannot think that she is
predestined to be lost. And yet-and
yet"
Now I'll finish it," Miss Gabelle
interrupted. Gentlemen, the case be-
fore you is utterly destitute of any
moral sense. l have no conscience
don't know what it means-never had
any. l know that 1t isn't right to go
back on a friend, or to let a fellow
being starve when one has food. But
that's sort of natural feeling. The
Ten Commandments are not They
tell me l mustn't steal. Why mustn't
l steal? If l want something which
somebody else has, why shouldn't l
take it?"
''The law of the Jungle" interposed
the Doctor
"Well-yes," she said. "They tell
me mustn't lie. Why mustn't lie if
it is to my advantage. Why mustn't
put someone's else name to check
if l can? I don't owe society any
thing. If l possessed the power !
would break society. That's all. You
see I'm hopeless, don't you?
NO." answered Emmanuel. mot by
any means. The trouble with you,
Madam, is that you are pure savage.
You have the moral sense all right,
but it has never emerged out of the
dark sub-cellar of your personality
into your consciousness. That's ALL
And l believe that l can bring it up
and restore to you that which you
Lakeland need"
How, my dear Doctor?"
eff you will let me hypnotic you"
"Now that's very interesting. But
how do l know that you won't find
out my secrets? For instance, if /
were to tell you some things"
81 give you my word of honor
mo, Doctor" said Miss Gabelle,
shaking her head you can't do that
to me. I'm a fool in some things, but
here / draw the line
"But surely, Madam"
mo use," she answered "Hypno-
tie the Captain and let him go down
and look for my moral sense, if he can
find any. Won't that do?"
Captain Clough came forward into
the middle of the room and stood
with hand upheld, dramatic figure,
in spite of his physical insignifcance.
"It isn't right" he said. II know
that But l know what you have
done with others, Doctor. I'll do it.
I'll sacrifice my soul to save my sis
ter here. ask God to help me save
her."