Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1921-01-07
CHAPTER THREE
The Haunted Woman.
1. cATEcAlsM.


There was an interlude of which
she retained no memory more than a
confused impression of a time Of
stress and conflict of struggling with
all her might TO hold fast to reason.
sustained throughout, it may be saved,
by a sense of Philips sympathy and
strength
crisis ives reached and passed
Growing more calm-or rather more
nnmb than calm-Priscilla found her
self in a roomy armchair with a seri-
ous-faced Philip Fosdick seated
squarely in front of her. holding her
two hands in grasp so compelling
that ii narrowly escaped being pain
full, and talking steadily In even, per-
suasive accents. Infinitely soothing
and heartening.
There" He was alert TO the first
indication of returning self-control
you're better already"
"Have been silly. Philip" She
essayed an apologize smile. olsen
gaging her hand to make instructive
dabs at her hair "Hysterical?"
Not a bit. You're not that sort
You had a Shock, enough to stagger
anybody, but you've reacted famousIy,
and now all you need do is sit tight
and consider this thing coolly and
sensibly."
'But how can II" Look and GEES
ture We're once more distracted. why,
l don't even know whether I'm my
self or where l am"
you do; you know you're right
here, In your own studio"
"How can I be sure? thought
was. last night, but it seems I wasn't
Il was. heaven knows how far away.
in that dreadful place. when that hap
pened.-not here at air.
Rubbish: you We're here asleep,
here where you woke up. You mere
ly dreamed you were elsewhere-with
what psychic rrovocation remains to
be seen. There's an explanation, a
perfectly simple and natural one, for
everything and it can be got at if
only we go after it in the right way.
Which IS precisely what we're going
to do, you and l."
Words and manner carried a meas
ure of conviction. THANK you,
Philip" she said. I'm trying to be
rieve. but you don't know how hard
1t ls.'
'"Thats where you're wrong; / do
know; understand perfectly. On the
other hand. know there's nothing
unnatural in nature. there can't be:
and therefore we can't fail TO solve
this problem except through your lack
of faith in me- If you'll trust me, help
me all you can. be absolutely frank"
"Tll do nv best OF course,
I'VE got to: I'll new, have minutes
peace till I know the truth. Ask me
anything you like and I'll tell you the
truth If know il"
"Pm sure you will"
"But. Philip; tell me one thing
first" She faltered and looked
uneasily asid, You don't
YOU don't think Fm-wrong any way
mentally. meanT"
Fosdick laughed with calculation,
laugh that secuted the suggestion and
of the same time was indulgent.
absolutely not. You've got the
riebtest mind know. But yours
ANYTHING but obvious, ella, you're a.
complex a personality as any I've evef
known. You're strongly intuitive-or
more or Jess what We term psychic
sympathetic. impressi0nable. suscepu-
HE 70 influences that work on you
without your knowledge. Whatever
II is the truth is known TO your sub
conscious self, and that is bound to
tell US. soon or late"
..Rut how Philip?"
For the first time since ne had
abown her the newspaper PriscilIa's
tome and manner were unaffected by
mental strain. Fosdick suppressed
SKINNER Of satisfaction. seeing he had
Succeeded in so interesting her that
he was less sensible Of what right!