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CHAPTER XII.
Power of Darkness.
To Orme the next half hour was
yery long. He seated himself upon
Bill
the floor of the closet and ate the sand
wich which the clairvoyant had brought
him. Occasionally he could hear her
. moving about the apartment
"Poor charlatan!" he thought "She
is herself a 'good sort' I suppose she
excuses the sham of her profession on
the ground that It deceives many per
sons into happiness."
He struck another match and looked
again at the ghostly paraphernalia
about him. Near him hung a black
robe with a lr.rge hood. He crushed
one of the folds In his hands and was
surprised to discover how thin It was
and Into how small space It could be
compressed. Not far away stood sev
eral pairs of large slippers of soft
black felt. The white robes were also
of thinnest gossamer flimsy stuff that
.1 111.- 1- VA lrii, tti n,l
toward it.
By the light of a third match he
looked more carefully at the other ap
paratus. There was a large pair of
angel-wlngs, of the conventional shape.
The assortment of masks was suffi
ciently varied for the representation of
many types of men and women of
different ages.
The match burned down to his fin
gers, and again he sat in darkness,
wondering at the elaborateness of the
medium's outfit She was a fraud, but
he liked her yes, pitied her and he
felt Inclined to excuse her In so far a3
he could. For the kiss which he had
given her he felt no regret; It was
hers, In all Innocence, for what of
good she might have found In It.
The minutes dragged by. He thought
of the precious documents, safe In the
inside pocket of his coat What they
were, he did not try to determine, but
it was plain that they must be of In
ternational Importance. The talk of
ships and Alcatrante's references to
commissions had puzzled him. But
suddenly came to his mind the news
paper rumors that Japan was secretly
adding vessels to her navy through the
agency of a South American republic
which was having cruisers and battle
ships built In Europe, to turn them
over at their completion, to the Japa
nese. There was, as yet, no Interna
tional proof of this policy, for none of
the ships had been completed, but the
South American country was certainly
adopting a policy of naval construction
quite out of proportion to her position
among the powers.
How came the girl to be Involved In
this mix-up of nations? Through her
father, of course but who was he? A
concessionaire? Her courage and de
termination, employed against shrewd
men, was as notable as the beauty of
- hpr' fn-A enri mind fnr eh vuum IIVa a
queen In her assured comprehension.
How It quickened his heart to think
of Ler! The poor, faded medium, with
the smolder of old flames In her eyes,
with the records of hard experience
written on her face, was a child In
stature beside the girl a child with
yearnings that could never be satis
fied. Well, the girl had doubted him. He
could not wonder at that for the facts
were all against him, and she .had
known him only a few hours. Yet he
had hoped he had believed that she
would know the truth and the devotion
in him without further evidence. Per
haps he had expected too much from
her noble insight . After all and that
was part of the loveliness of her she
was a very human girl.
The panel swung open, and Madam
Alia stood looking down at him. She
6poke In an undertone.
"The Japs are still watching. Arlma
is sitting on the fire escape by his
window, and I can hear the other fel
low moving around In the hall outside
ray door. I think they're on to your
being here."
Orme thought for a minute. "I've got
to get away soon," he said. "I don't
mind telling you that there are papers
that must be delivered before twelve
o'clock tonight."
"Can I take them for you?"
"I don't know where to tell you to
take them."
She sighed. "I guess you don't trust
me."
" "Trust you? Of course, I do. But the
truth is, Madam Alia, that it is going
to need hard work on my part to find
the person to whom the papers belong.
I don't even know his name." Secretly
he condemned himself now, because he
had not overcome his scruples and
looked at the address on the envelope
while he had the chance.
Again she sighed. "Well," she said,
"of course, It's beyond me. Do you
do you mind my knowing your name?"
"Pardon me," he said. "I didn't rea
lize that you didn't know It already.'
My r-arae is Robert Orme." .
She looked at him with a smile.
"Well. Mr. Orme I'll t t
mm
this.
I think I know a way. 3ut
you'll have to do just what I tell you."
"I depend on you," he said.
She laid her hand on his shoulder
v 1th a friendly pressure. "You'll have
to wait here a while longer and you'll
have to keep mighty quiet I've got a
circle at three o'clock a seance.
They come once a week, and I can't
well put them off. You see, I work
alone. It's a small circle, and I never
liked the idea of helpers they're like
ly to give you away sooner or later. I
stretch a curtain across this corner for
a cabinet, and they tie me to a chair
and then things happen." She smiled
faintly. "I know you won't hurt my
game."
"All your secrets are safe with me."
He glanced at the dark interior of the
closet
"I didn't know any other place to
put you," she said simply. "They'd
have got you, if you had went to the
hall Sh-h!" The panel closed and
she was away. A moment later he
"Do
You Do You
Ing Your
Mind My,
Name?"
Know'
heard her talking with Arlma, who ap
parently had again climbed up to her
window.
"Thief must be here," said Arlma.
"He not been hall. My friend know.
,We see him come in here."
"I told you he wasn't here. If you
don't believe me, why don't you call
the cops?"
"We not want cops. I come In and
watch."
"But I'm going to hold a circle here
In a few minutes."
"What?" Arlma's voice had a puzzled
note.
"A seance. The spirit come. You
know. All sit around, with the light
turned down, and spirits come."
"Oh!" The Japanese either under
stood or pretended to. "I come,
then."
After a period of hesitation the wom
an said: "Why, yes, I guess you can
If you keep still. Your friend can come,
too. You're a neighbor, and I won't
charge you anything."
"All right. . I call my friend." Foot
steps crossed the room and the door
to the hall was opened. Presently It
closed again, and Orme heard frag
ments of a conversation in Japanese.
From other sounds Orme gathered
that the woman was arranging chairs.
"Sit here, you two," he beard her say.
"You'll have to keep quiet when the
rest come. Do Just what they do? Be
sure, now."
The bell now began to ring at fre
quent Intervals, each time announcing
the arrival of newcomers. Madam
Alla's clients were quickly assembling;
Orme could hear them whispering
among themselves.
A clinking noise he did not at first
understand. Then he realized that It
was the sovnd of silver dropping into
a bat. Some one was taking ud the
colfectlon.' He knew, too, when they
hung the curtain across his corner of
the room, shutting off the space in
which the medium was to sit, and
when they lighted the gas and drew
down the shades at the window. Then
he heard them lead her into the cab
inet and tie her to the chair.
The silence that followed these prep
arations grew oppressive. The clients
were waiting for the right "current,"
and Madam Alia, Orme had no doubt,
was using the Interval to free hersolf
from her bonds.
In a little while some one started
the hymn, "Over the River They Beck
on to Me," and the others took It up
women's voices, chiefly, struggling
through the melody in their trebles,
with the mumbled undertones of one
or two men.
A draught of cooler air struck
Orme's cheek; a hand found his shoul
der; a voice whispered. Under cover
of the singing Madam Alia had opened
the paneL Her Hps were close to hla
ear1. In the 1 creepy tension of the
waiting Orme had almost forgotten
that Madam Alla's ghost were a
cheat, and the touch ( her hand mad
him start but her nrst words brought
him to hljpself.
"Hush!" she whispered. "You'll get
your chance In a minute. Put on a
pair of black felt slippers. Here" she
groped along the floor, and gave hint
the slippers. They were large, and
went easily over his shoes.
' "Now the black robe, just behind
you."
He took It from Its peg, and slipped
into it.
' Cover your head and face with the
hood."
He did as directed, finding the eye
holes with his fingers.
"Hide your hands In the sleeves.
Now, listen. I'm going to keep them
busy looking at the curtains. When
you hear a gong ring tnree times, come
through the panel, and go between the
curtain and the wallhanging. on the
side toward the window. The gas is
down to a pin-point Those folks think
they can see a lot more than they do.
But they won't see you, unless you
show some white. Anyhow they'll be
watching the cabinet. Keep outside
the circle of chairs, and work your
way to the door of the next room.
There are hangings there; go through
them. You'll find light enough in the
next room to get to the door in the
hall. First stuff the robe under the
sofa. You'll find your hat under there.
You left It here when you came, and I
tucked it away. You'd better wear the
slippers down to the street. Never
mind about returning them unless you
care to come. Now, be careful."
"The Japanese where are they?"
"At the other side of the circle.
Don't worry about them. They're only
kids when it comes to my game. Now,
wait till I get the things I need." She
heard faint rustlings as she gathered
her paraphernalia. Soon she was back
at the panel. The last stanza of the
hymn was drawing to a close. "Be
sure you follow directions," she whis
pered. "I will." He pressed her hand grate
fully.
"And and you won't forget me?"
With a sudden yearning that seemed
to be beyond her control, she leaned
her body against him. Her warm
breath was on his face; her arm found
its way around him and held him con
vulsively. "Oh," she whispered, "I can't bear to
have you go. Don't forget me please
don't forget me."
"1 shall never forget you, and what
you have done for me," he answered
gravely.
"You will come back and see me
sometime?"
"I will come back. And I should like
to bring a friend, who will have even
more cause to thank you than I have."
"A friend?" A tinge of apprehension
colored the queutlon: "A a womaa?"
"Yes."
; The soft curvfls of her body wtjre
flulckly withdrawn from him.
"Oh." she whispered, "I don't believe
I want to see her."
For a moment she stood motionless.
Then she said:
"Are you sorry you kjssed me?'
"7r Vi anoa-orol ' I urn rrtt 11
Her lips brushed his forehead, and
he was alone. Groping with one hand,
ho assured himself that the panel re -
malned open. All In black, he awaited
the signal.
Ana now strange manuesiauons De
gan In the room without There were
rappings, some faint, some loud
coming apparently from all quarters.
Invisible fingers swept gently across
the strings of a guitar. Then came the
soft clangor of a gong once, twice, i
Thpaa rlmns 1
Orme slipped through the panel, Into
the cabinet. Keeping close to the wall,
he moved to the left and worked out
Into the room. The rappings were now
1 V I J - i 1
luuuer iuhu unu.n-.uuu u.iu cuuuuu-
ous enougn 10 cover any sugni sound
he might made. A little gasp came
from the circle as he went out into the
room. At first he thought that he bad
been seen. To his eyes, fresh from
complete darkness, the room seemed
moderately ngni; out tne gas was lit-
tie more than a tiny blue dot,
As he took a step forward he saw
why the circle had gasped. Through
the curtains of the cabinet came the
semblance of a tenuous wraith In long,
trailing robes of white. It was almost
formless, its outlines seeming to melt
into the gloom.
Advancing a little way into the cir
cle, it shrank back as though timorous,
then wavered. From the circle came a
woman's voice anxious, eager, strain
ing with heart-break "Oh, my sister!"
The figure turned toward her, slowly
extended Its arms, and glided back to
the curtains, where it stood as though
waiting,
The sobbing women arose from her
chair and hastened toward the wraith.
"Agnes!" she whispered imploringly,
Won't you speak to' me, Agnesr "
The ghostly figure shook its head.
"Are you happy, AgnesT Tell me.
Oh, don't go until you have told me."
The figure nodded mutely, and with
a final slow gesture, waved the woman
back(to her seat.
Meantime Orme cast his eyes over
the circle. Dimly he saw faces, somo
Btolld, some agitated; and theTe, at the
farther end were the two Japanese, in
tent as children on these wonders.
Their sparkling eyes were directed to
the cabinet
The apparition had disappeared be
tween the curtains. But now there was
a fresh gasp ot wonder, as the figure
of a little child stepped out Into the
room. It did not go far from the cab
inet, and It alternately advanced and
retreated, turning this way and that,
as though looking for some one.
"It wants 1U mother I " exclaimed
one of the women In the circle. "Ia
your mother here, little oner
The child stared at the speaker, then
withdrew to the turtaina.
"They will hegtn to talk after a
while," explained the woma "whom
the control feta straw. I. Always
teei so tenaer tor tnese little lost
spirits that come back to hunt for their
loved ones."
Orme moved swiftly around the cir
cle. He passed so close to the Japa
nese that he could have touched them.
The felt slippers made his steps noise
less; the thick rug absorbed the shock
of his weight
He passed through the hangings of
the doorway to the next room. There
he had no gaslight; the window
shades, however, were not drawn so
closely but that a little daylight en
tered. He removed the robe and
stuffed It under the old sofa at one
side. His hat, as Madam Alia had said,
was there, and he put it on and went
to the hall door. The circle had begun
to sing another hymn. Orme got Into
the hall, shut the door silently, and
hurried down the stairs, the long
drawn strains of the song following
him and dying away as he neared the
street entrance. In the lower hall he
removed the felt slippers and tossed
them Into a corner.
He was amazed at the loudness ot
the street noises, and the glare of the
sunlight as he stepped to the sidewalk.
He stood there blinking for a moment
until his eyes became accustomed to
the light. The foot-procession of the
city streamed by him.
Suddenly a man turned in toward
the doorway, and, with a startled e
clamation, stopped short Orme found
himself looking Into the glvamlcgeyet
at Alcatrante.
To be continued.
ALVO NEWS
J. A. Schaffer went to Lincoln Mon
day. Fred Leldig was In Lincoln on bus
iness Monday.
H. S. Ough was In Lincoln between
trains Sunday.
Little Miss Anastaela Barry was
quite sick Tuesday.
Mrs. J. A. Schaffer spent Sunday
with friends In Lincoln.
Dr. Moore, of Murdock, was in
town between trains Tuesday.
Ray Llnch, of Omaha, returned to
his home Tuesday on No. 18.
Mrs. Mary Skinner returned home
from Lincoln Sunday on No. 14.'
W. E. Newklrk has moved his nool
and billiard parlors Into the Barry
building.
Mr. Foreman experts to visit his
brothers in Fort Worth, Texas, in the
near future.
Fred Dreamer went to Plattsmouth
Monday, returning home Tuesday
evening.
Harry Parcell and J. A. Schaffer
went to Omaha last Thursday return
ing Friday on No. 17.
Albert Foreman's sale last Friday
was well attended and things sold
well, averaging the whole sale.
Mrs. Mary Fletcher, who has been
keeping house for Albert Foreman,
went to Lincoln Tuesday on No. 17.
1 Mrs. Leo Barry and daughter Helen
left Monday for their new home at
j Lincoln, where Mr. Barry Is night
I operator.
J. II. Stroemer wqnt to Omaha Fri
day evening with a shipment of hogs.
.He returned home on No. 17 Satur-
: day evening.
Bud Grove bought the restaurant
' from 0arlton Gulllon on Tuesday,
Mr- Gullln W'U continue to operate
, tne barber shop.
Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Newkirk's child-
I
: ren haye had a aUack of the La.
Grippe, but are getting along quite
well at present.
Uncle Geo. Cook returned home
Sunday from a visit of several weeks
at Beaver City. Neb., with his brother
j0hn and family.
Mrs. Harry Parsell and daughter
Beatrice left Saturday on No. 13 for
a week's visit with her sister, Mrs.
Fred Fetrow near Hebron, Nebraska
Oris Foreman was called home on
Wednesday, as he had regelved word
that Dan Donnelly who works for him
at Valparaiso, had fallen and broken
his arm.
Carroll Colbert, of Weeping Water,
spent Saturday end Sunday the guest
of Miss Grayce Bailey, departing on
No. 17 Sunday evening for Grand
Island, Nebraska, where he has a
! P8illon
C. R. Jordan returned home Tues
day evening from the hospital at Om
aha, where he has been for the treat
ment of his eyes for the past ten days.
He Is recovering nicely.
Byron Foreman left on No. 14 Sun
day for Omaha. It Is reported that
he has purchased tho farm northeast
of town formerly known as the J. V.
Parsell farm, on which Harry Par
sell has lived the past year.
Mrs. Simon Johnson was painful
ly burned about the hands and arms
last Sunday by accidentally upsetting
some coal oil on a red hot cook stove.
Dr. Mulr attended her and she Is rest
ing quite well at this writing.
Poultry Wanted
Highest prices paid for all farm
produce. - t
HATt PRODUCE GO.
l
I dinger rinds !
roreign IName
Is Valuable j
Ml
.'SIC lovers who are patriotic
hare long complained that
too much attention is paid to
foreign musician and have
grumbled that America has not pro
duced singers who have achieved the
f ii mo and fortune that have boon be
stowed ou those born abroad. In
many cases American students have
gone to Europe to study aud have re
turned wltb foreign knowledge and
foreign names.
Mine. Borulce do Bushmill recently
has had several experiences which cm
phoslzo the point aud show that tho
singer knows what she Is about when
she drops tho name of Smith, Jones or
Brown for Brlzzolorl, Geewhlzky or
Howlonthal.
Mine, do Pnsquall was born Bornloe
James, mid slio comes of good old New
England stock. She acquired all her
musical education In the United States
and was proud of her American lino-
ge as well as of her American inu-
KMC Pit PASQUALI.
slcal knowledge. But she tried valuly
to gain recognition In the United
States. Confident of her ability, she
proclaimed her Americanism, but slio
obtained no engagements worth while.
Then she went to Ituly, and there
she gnlned the recognition denied her
at home. While abroad slio married
Couut de PuH(unll, a tenor of consid
erable note, and naturally she took
his name. After making a reputation
by singing In tho leading opera houses
in Italy she returned to tho United
States and was engaged ns n member
of the Metropolitan Opera company in
New York, I lie best known iniiHlcnl or
ganization In this country aud Includ
ing the world's best known singers.
Recently Mnio. do Pasquall has been
singing ot concerts all over the United
Slates, and It was thus thnt sho learn
ed the value of tho name she hod nc-.
quired through marriage. She also
learned tho value of a European edu
cation.
"1 mn often asked as to my nation
ality," she suld recently, "and I al
ways reply proudly that I am nn Amer
ican. 'But you were educated abroad.'
my questioner will remark. When I
reply that my musical education was
acquired In tho United States I see
that I have lost standing. The aver
age person shows at once that tho bo
llof Is common that anything of nn
artistic nature produced In tho United
Rtates must of necessity bo Inferior
to that bearing a foreign label."
PARROT ON ROLLER SKATES.
Prize Winner at Masquerade Was Gi
gantio but Lifelike Polly,
"lie's a bird," wns tho correct even
If slangy description that tilted tho
prlzo winner at n recent masquerade
skating carnival In Indou. Tho man
who attracted tho most attention nnd
who had the most striking costume,
according to tho Judges, was mudo up
V'-r..;
rill.lt MARQCEOADK COHIT'ME.
fn Imitation of a parrot. Nothing of
tho man could bo seen, even his foot
being concealed by tho claws.
Tho parrot wns a distinct hit, but
there were other novelties. For In
stance, one skater represented "Uncle
Sam upside down." IIo wore a cos
tume modo of Btnrs nnd stripes ns car
toonlsti dress the figure that typifies
tho United States, but he had It so ar
ranged that, while ho really skated on
his feet, be apparently was skating on
his hands, with his long legs sticking
high In the air.
J i
17.
BROTHERS HELD FOR THEFT
Davenport Men Accused of Stealing
Supplies From Arsenal.
Davenport. Ia., Fob. 10. Charged
with stealing a large axount of Unit
ed States ordnance stores from tho
Rock Island arsenal and selling them
to local Junk dealers, Louis and Ed
ward Rohoni, two brothers, living In
Davenport, are under arrest her
awaiting disposition of their case by
the federal court.
Loul Roliom was ir. charge of the
goverrment Ftore house at the arsenal
!nd Ms brother has been keeping
house for him. The police, while In
vestigating some petty thefts a few
davs ngo, found 105 pounds of brass,
ISO pounds of lead, and other articles
wA at the arsenal In a Junk shop.
, They traced the stufT to the Rohems.
Going to their house and searching
the place they found a large quantity
pf cotton flannel, bridles, bits and oth
er leather goods stored In the rooms.
CHEATING"iN"C0E "EXAMS" '
Guilty Ones Who Refute to Confess
WIN Be Suspended.
Cedar Rapids, la.. Fob. 10. That a
number of students at Coe college
have been guilty of (heating in tho re
cent semester examinations was dis
closed when President Marquis de-
clared In the chapel that a sweeping
' investigation would be mode and un
! los3 thoso Involved confessed they
would be suspended. It Is understood
that some one stole the list of ques
tions and handed them around. Mem
bers of the faculty said the number
involved was small.
CHURCH TOl
BUSINESS FOR GOD
Waterloo Methodists Form Bully
ing and Loan Association.
Waterloo, la., Feb. 10. Members ot
St. Paul's Methodist Episcopal church
huvo taken the Initiative In a move
ment which will have a far-reachlns
effect. Tho plan Is the organization
ot a building and loan association In
tho church "to do business for God."
The association will be incorporated
for about $50,000, with the right to
begin business as soon as $1,000 ot the
capital stock Is subscribed and paid in.
The building and loan departmeut
will be conducted on the same plan as
the commercial associations, with the.
exception that the stockholders will
realize no profits, all the profits bln
turned back into the fund. Iots will
be bought and houses erected an4
these will be sold on the Installment
plan or rented. The members of tha
church are enthusiastic over the plan
nnd all who are able will subscribe
tor stock.
BREEDERS NAME OFFICERS
W. J. Miller of Newton Heads Aberdeen-Angus
Association.
Dos Moines, Feb. 10. The Aberdeenr
Angus Breeder' association elected of
ficers ns follows: President, W. J.
Miller of Newton; vice president,
Charles Esher of Shelby county; sec-'
rotary, Isaac Igo of Indlanola.
Henry Wallaco, president of the Na
tlonnl Conservation congress, called a
meeting to be held In Washington.
Feb. 15.
Cole Given Heart "Balm."
Sloux City, Ia., Feb. 10. Sam Cola
has been awarded $100 as "balm" In
a suit brought against A. Wilg,
Mornlngslde dairy manager, on the)
charge of alienating the affections ot
Colo's wife. Cole had asked $5,000.
Cole swore on the witness stnnd that
WHg took his wife riding In his milk;
wagon and thnt they were altogctbet
too "chummy."
Teachers to Meet at Waterloo.
Waterloo, la., Feb. 10. A state
meeting of teachers and those en
gaged in manual training and domes
tic arts will bo held In the manual
training building of East Waterloo
school. Feb. 24 nnd 25. Professor J.
12. Blakely of Fort Dodge is president
Denies Fruit Damage.
Logon, la., Feb. 10 Investigation
of present conditions of the apple,
cherry, plum, pear and other fruit
trecH indicates that Harrison count;'
prospects for fruit 1b most flattering
at the present, time, despite the re
ports to the contrary.
Nearly All for Sunday Closing.
Council Bluffs. Ia., Fob. 10. Twenty-six
hundred replies from the patrons
of tho Council Bluffs postofflce in the
referendum vote on Sunday closing
have been returned to the office, and
of this number only two raise objec
tions to tho proposol.
Gould Holrs Sell Coal Lands.
Knoxvllle, Ia., Feb. 10. The Jay
Could heirs disposed of their Iowa
holdings, consisting of 3,200 acres ot
cool lands In Marlon county. John W..
Igrnnd, Sr., and his two sons ac
quired tho property.
Tax Scandal In Cincinnati.
Cincinnati, Feb. 10. Six indict
ments charging bribery against Jacob.
Baschang, a deputy tax collector and
politician, nnd the Issuing ot sub
poenas against twenty . brewers wera
the sensations In the liquor tax probe
here. Tha grand Jury inquisition will
ha continued and further sonsational
disclosures. Including possibly addi
tional Indictments, art expected. J