The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-02-13
Epening Story
The Guiding Spark .
BY DORA NOLAN.

I
fireplace in Great Grandfather
IAdamss- comb-backed windsor chair.
In the opposite chimney corner TRAY
ers Raymond occupied an oaken settle
| black with age. Both were seemingly
intent on the flames leaping UP the
huge chimney. The gnarled hickory
back log blazed steadily. Sticks of
silver birch cracked. shooting out
sparks with reckless zest. A fiery star
tfell perilously close to Betty. She kick
ed it back unconcernedly with the toe
of her slipper.
"That is not safe wood to burn in
an open fire. Oak is much more de-
the advice perfunctorily. Plainly he
twas occupied with his own thoughts.
That's just why 1 burn it when 1
get chance. 1 was always given ice
cream instead of fireworks on the
Fourth of July
| Something in Betty's tone aroused
her companion from his abstraction.
Pretty hard on a girl whose ances-
tors fought so there might be some
thing to celebrate on that day. he
laughed.
! ''Trav, promise me one thing. When
we are married let the word ancestor
be taboo in our house. All my life
j have been like an island entirely
surrounded by them-with perhaps
bridge or two leading to some other
pedigreed island like you. Aunt Jane
talks nothing else. I'm not allowed
Ito be myself. ever-just an echo of
the ghostly steps that walk this old
house,"
!. The flush on Betty's cheeks showed
how earnest were her words.
I'm unreservedly with you there,
Bets. Those old buffers had their
1ives-why should they want to butt
in on ours and order them according
to their nusty codes?"
"Trayi'
| ayes Betty"
81 wonder if they really do want
to influence our lives according to
their earth-time ideas-after they are
everything. change so; new condi-
lions grow up. Does it seem reason
able that they, in the spirit world, if
they are still aware of earthly things,
views and hopes to fit better into
the scheme of lives now living?"
Betty was lingering nervously an
oval gold locket that hung from her
neck by narrow black ribbon.
| From what I remember of Grand
father Raymond he would be just that
incapable of seeing anything in any
new light tho the world had turned
inside out meantime" Travers smiled
grimly at the recollection of his pa
ternal forebear
1--WE been thinking this over a lot
Trav. I suppose the new world-w
| interest in spirit manifestations start
ed me. And got to wondering. Trav
about our mothers" Bettys voice was
low. Raymond, all his abstraction
gone. was keenly attentive.
when they both expressed as their
dylng wish that We two marry" con-
4 tinued the girl, ''of Course they were
convinced that it would be for our best
interest and happiness. Because they
had been so happy in their friendship
they expected US to be more so in this
4 sequel of it. It's been over five years
since my mother died, Travers. and
Eyours went the year before. Do you
Fthink they would still ask it if their
spirits could speak to US pow?"
Are you suggesting that we try to
get into communication with them
thru some spiritua1ist medium. Betty &?
tSpmehow I can't bring myself to put
any faith in them" Travers shifted
his position uneasily. The girl thought
Ishe discerned in him fresh interest,
more animation, than he had displayed
for many days.
NO. she answered, At wasn't
thinking of proposing thAt-sjust that
We sit here silently, bathing ourselves
in the memory of them giving to
them every atom of our thought and
our sympathy. Maybe-who knows?
it is in the power of their spirits to
communicate with US in some way-to
give US a sign-if We can place our
selves in tune with them. Putting
help us to concentrate ourselves upon
them
Cad, 7 believe you've hypnotized
me, Betty-or else it's this natures
incense from the fire. You are actual
ly convincing ME that such a fantastic
thing might really happen. Shall we
use the portraits in our lockets?"
Upon the impulse of his own. sug-
lgestion Raymond's hand went to the
Icharm at his fob, seeking to detach it.
But the hand fell Imply. and Travers,
confronted by a sudden realization,
stared straight ahead searching for
, escape from dilemma He was too
absorbed to notice that Betty had
gone suddenly white and that one
hand clutched the oval 1ocket tightly.
won't our fathers portraits in the re-
verse side of the lockets, confuse our
memories, Betty"
Yes, Trav; I'm sure they would"
agreed Betty hurriedly almost eagerly.
Wen take them out and lay them
face down on the table, She drew
! toward her\a small stand covered with
a time yellowed China shawl. deeply
fringed. "They must remain faced
down, you know-their personalities
must not intrude.''
AN excellent thought" agreed Ray
1nond, greatly relieved And presently
the banished miniatures lay blankly
side by side on the silken shawl while
those of. the mothers from their golden
, frames gave back the loving gaze OF
the grown-up boy and girl.
! The ancient clock in the hall struck
nine. The two young figures in front
} OF the blazing fire stared straight at
i EslHESElss5SlsG5SSS1
SThe George N