The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1917-03-23
A MENTAL
MYSTERY
BY ALAN HlNSDAIE

we have become used to an electric
station sending forth its power across
continent or an ocean without any
otner medium than the atmosphere, but
rev OF us are prepared TO admit that
one human brain is capable of affecting
another human brain without any 9th
er 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 l am going
TO give the reason why have arrived
at this conclusion.
am an artist. From Il child have
been absorbed in the beauties of ma
ture and their transmission 70 an.
other form. As a hoy | could make
\ THESE transformations so successfully
! That my pictures attracted the attcn-
ton or my friends. Nothing would do
but that must be educated for an
{ artist.
But there was no means for the pur-
pose. \ younger sister Of mine had
been left small legacy 10y her grand
mother. Ny sister Eleanor was her
name insisted on dcyoting this money
TO my education. declined 10 accept
II at first, but She insisted that | would
be successful artist. my pictures
would sell at good prices. AMI | could
repay her Thus encouraged. | con
sented and entered an art school.
Unfortunately my education took
from me the ability | had shown in
frechand drawing. The technique re-
quired for work that would pass the
critics was obnoxious to me Never
thelcSS, | perseycrcd aud mastered it.
But | never regaincd the ability | had
possessed to hit off 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.
| regretted that | had accepted my sis
ter's loan, for ! 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
and in the spring was told | must
have change of scene and air to build
! up my strength. In my weakened con.
/ dltion my debt to my sister got on my
mind. and could not get 1t of. Flea.
nor begged ME to stop worrying about
II. but without success | was sent
or TO the seashore and lodged In
tisherman's cottage
One morning ! was sitting on the
porch of the cottage looking out on the
ocean. The sun was glinting the blue
waves which Were rolling in aud break
ing on the beach. Some fishermen
were getting out their boat. gulls were
flying hither ana thithcr overhead, one
occasionally dartiug down to pounce
upon fish | was seized with de
sire-natural TO an artistic portray
this scene.
had not been permitted to bring
not do as | wished. As | sat in my
comfortable wicker chair. famed by
balmy sea breeze. 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.
worked without cifort-or at least
seemed to do 30 and was conscious OF
transferring the scene before me eX.
actly as IL 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 | lost consciousness and knew
nothing till late In the afternoon, when
| found myself in bed.
1t was some time before | gained
sufficient strength to 20 home. When
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
ii. and she said that had paid ii my
self. Further than that she would
give me 10 information until | had
fully recovered.
one day after | had got stronger
went. unbeknown 10 any one, to room
at home that had used for studio
There was desk in it, and, going to
this desk without any definite object,
noticed pigeOnhole that had been
empty was now full Of papers. took
them out AMI found they were letters
that had accumulated during my Ill
ness | opened one and read it. II was
from a dealer in pictures asking me if
had any Of my work for sale. He
had constant demand for it. Aston
ished. | opened another and another
They were all requests for my pictures
While was thus engaged my sister
came in. She seemed much put out
that had come upon the letters. But
the explanation must now come out,
and she gave it to me.
One morning while was at the sea
shore she had come into my studio and
rAgsae hah