The Penn's Grove record., 1922-02-10
MADAME VALESKA
BY MoLLIE MATTER.

Fenton fidgeted intentionally in
the surroundings which were foreign
to his frank whOlesomeness. Always
lie had hated subterfuge Of any kind,
yet here he was in this dim interior
redolent of sandalwood at Lllla's re-
quest. Lila suffered some ailment
which, while doctors considered 1t
unimportant, was to Lila a real af-
Fiction.
The pain of her arm had neces-
STATED Fenton's doing her hair that
morning. and one of Lilla's studio
friends assured her Madame Wales
ka could miraculously locate and
cure pain where physicians failed.
Madame valeska was a trance
medium, in great favor among the
young art students. Lila had at once
insisted that Fenton go and hold au-
dlence with this famously clever seer,
regarding her own condition. And
the lndulgent brother, fretting his I'm
patience, had nevertheless gone.
Perhaps, when this Madame Wales
ka had demonstrated her infalllbllity
In Lilla's case, the girl would be salts
fed and cured. He intended to give
her no information in her question
ing. Into the softly lighted waiting
room. came presently another seeker
after hidden knowledge. Fenton
smiled grimly at the patient walters
already assembled. But this girl ap-
peared unlike them to share his W
unrest-almost his own humiliation.
Like some small gray shadow, she re-
tired dindently to the recess Of the
long room. She had cast him one fright
ened glance in passing, and impulsive-
ly-Fenton hardly knew why-he fol-
lowed. perhaps, to give assurance, or
to laugh away her significance Of the
occasion.
The girls face was as white, and
fear-stricken, as a child's in face of
disaster.
"Well," he asked the young woman
In the gray frOck. what is your
particular trouble? And is Madame
valeska to bring the remedy from n
of her picturesque trances2 The
Madame can keep it up pretty well,
| am told. l have never before at
tended this curious kind of entertain
ment."
But levity evidently could not allay
the girls fears.
Madame Valeska really visits the
spirit world" she told him in an awed
tone, "the things she tells are mar
velous. But, If you do not believe.
why do you Gomez"
The question was asked not in rude
ness, but wonderingly.
81 came" Fenton good-humoredly
replled, ito please my fanciful sister,
who is as easily impressed as your
self. She hopes that Madame Valeska
will influence some kind spirit to take
imaginary pains out of her arms,
The little frightened patient nodded.
MADAME Valeska will know best
what to tell her" she said, "Only yes
terday I lost my purse, and she found
1t for me-"
"And afterward robbed 1t for you"
Fenton added grimly.
The girls eyes were reproachful,
Madame has to have money to keep
this place up" she reminded him.
Her charge really is not much. That
IS, when you consider what she does
for one"
Fraud" Fenton contemptuously
| exclaimed; with real concern he re
garded the trusting face before him.
"Do not let this seer impose upOn
/ YOU. little girl" he advised. snake
J this your last visit" She stood as
though considering. But a watehful
attendant slipped to her side.
MADAME Valeska," she informed
the girl, will see you now"
The girl did not reappear. Disap-
pointedly, FentOn learned that ques-
TONERS were dismissed after their au-
dience, through a rea door.
His own turn came next. Theatrical,
indeed. was madame's setting. White
and small. as a child's, her hands made
mystic movements, then Madame Va
leska bent above her crystal ball.
Fenton folded his arms cynically-but
she asked him no questions. Madame,
In a voice faint and far away as a
musical echo, gave voluntary informa-
ton. Fenton stared.
"The artist" faltered Madame, "the
lovely sister-will yet be famous.
Fame is worth the price of a pain
or-two. After all-not serious. The
spirits-they tell me, nothing to do.
Tell this sister-who is It? All, yes,
Lilla-to forget the pain-to think
nothing of 1t. To rest-to be much in
the fresh air and sunshine-to put
her fancies aside. That is ALL"
Fenton sat blinking, Madame Va.
leska had gone: After the attendant
silently dismissed him through the
rear doorway, he stood thinking. Then
suddenly and u~nannounced he entered
again the waiting room.
The patients had departed. Still
in the shadow of a screen he waited,