Year: 1878

the vortex which the vessel would make
in sinking; a great wave rolled in upon
it, and the cry went forth that the boat
had gone down. TheD Dudley, caring
no more for his own life, jumped into
the boiling sea. But the crew of the un-
injured vessel picket him up before life
was extinct, and he recovered conscious
ness to find himself in the cabin of the
other ship. Until long after daylight
the vessel fingered around the spot. until
all hopes of rescuing any floating persons
who might be clinging to pieces of the
wreck were over Then it continued on
its way to New York.


Over four months had elasped, during
which a ray of light had hardly penetrat-
ed 'Dudley's despair. His sister shared
his darkened life, deferring our marriage
and withdrawing from society to devote
herself to him. was almost the only
one outside of their near circle of rela-
tives whom they cared to see.


At times Dudley would be possessed
Of strange fancy that his wife might
not be dead-that she might have escap-
ed-be now in some remote portion of
the world whittier some passing bark had
conveyed her. Facts and theories were
against him. The boat which they had
seen overwhelmed by the waves had new
er been heard from. Another boat which
had put out last, had succeeded in land
ing upon an island coast after three days
of floating Oh the waste of waters, but in
all human probability the first boat had
gone down within five minutes after she
left the ships side. Sometimes Dudley
would work himself into an alarming
state of excitement, vowing his belief
that his wife was alive. His only argu-
ment was that if she were dead she GER
tainly would vouchsafe him some token
to put his mind at rest.


This evening of the 31st of March /
felt light hearted and joyous, despite the
sad faces of my friends. My spirits had
risen triumphant over the weather, over
the gloom induced by sympathy with 9TH
ers, even over the impatience L sometimes
felt at the long, delayed consummation Of
my wishes. | am sure that my face shown
with pleasure, for had that day received
a letter containing news oS an access of
fortune, which had exhilarated me be-
yond the power of my ordinary troubles
to subdue.


Suddenly Dudley stopped in front of
us. His eyes, looking larger and darker
than ever from the tines about them,
~o1v nAou upon me WIN an In0eIsfry al-
most unbearable.


"Is it not strange" said he, "that all
this time-all this time-she has sent me
no message 2"


l was surprised as we'll as startled by
his question. Despite his theory that if
she were dead she would comfort him by
some special message, I had not realized
that he was really seeking consolation in
looking for some palpable token from the
spiritual world. 1t was too much oppos-
ed to his previous habits of thought.


"What have you expected q was ali l
could for the moment say.


Anything to prove that she is still
mine in death as well as life. y


1t was just then an idea flashed upon
me which I hoped would save him from
the madness which at times [ apprehend-
ed might destroy his brain, noble and
massive as it's structure was. / resolved
to lay the details of my plan before Caro-
line, at the same time imparting to her
the piece of good fortune which had oc
Cured to me. For this purpose I drew
her away into the library, where in brief
time unfolded my ideas and expecta-
tons. When we returned to the parlor
she took her brothers arm, walking up
and down the rooms with him.


"Have you seen any of those spirit
photograps, brother ?"


"What are they? 2" He ceased walking,
looking inquiringly at her.


"There are photographs nowadays
which fix the shadows of souls as well as
bodies-so they say The spirit of the
deceased friend wished for appears be-
side the picture of the sitter, faint and
shadowy, as becomes a spirit, but still

quite palpable.'


"You smile, Caroline; are you iesting?'


"No, am only relating the last mar
vel of Spiritualism.


"What do you think of it ~ directing
his question to me.


'1t's rather new thing, even with the
spiritualists themselves. [ have not
not made up my mind about it. In fact
I have never inquired much into the
phenomena. But when you spoke so
earnestly Of having expected message
from Eleanora II occurred to me that it
could hardly come in more acceptable
or more convincing shape than this"


Tomorrow we will make the expert
ment. If there is any such thing possible
1 know that Eleanora will come to ME. I
shall be permitted to see her. If she
does not come l shall know she is still
alive"


1t was decided that we should 60 at
, o'clock the next day to the photograph
er whom l had selected. When we en-
tered the gallery we became conscious of
peculiar influence permeating our very
souls. As a person in the dark, in total
silence and seeing nothing, yet perceives
the presence of another who approaches
him, SO each of us perceived an intangi-
bic something which thrilled us beyond
speech. But few words were spoken
The business-like manner of the operator
was in curious contrast to the intense


Al