about it," said Carlotta with
the air of a fatalist.

"I'm going," Peter assented, "but that isn't all there is about it. I'm
coming back!" and he looked at the girl with unmistakable intent.

"Maybe and maybe not," she returned, with crushing carelessness, whether
real or assumed.

"Yes, indeed, maybe and maybe not!" put in Julie. "You don't know about
the prophecy, Carly! Shall I tell her, Peter?"

"Tell me, of course," and Miss Harper looked eagerly interested. "Who
prophesied what? and when?"

"Oh, it was years ago," Julie began, "we met a lot of gypsies, and
mother would have them tell the family fortunes. And one of them said
that Peter would go off on a long journey and that he would die a
terrible death and never come home."

"Oh," Carly shuddered, "don't tell me any more!"

"But the more is the best part of it," said Peter, smiling; "you see,
mother was so upset by this direful news, that another gypsy took pity
on her and amended my cruel fate. The second seeress declared that I
must meet the destiny number one had dealt me, but that to mitigate the
family grief, I would return afterwards."

"As a spook?" cried Carlotta, "how interesting!"

"Perhaps; but it doesn't interest me at present You see, this trip is
not the fatal one----"

"How do you know?" from Julie.

"Oh, it's too soon. That old prophecy isn't fairly ripe yet. Moreover,
I'm not ready for it. I'm going to Labrador,--and I'm coming back,--and
then, if all goes well, perhaps I'll never want to go away again. And if
not,----" he looked at Carly, "I may be glad to take the last and final
trip! But if I go on with the program and return as my own ghost, I'll
lead you girls a dance! I'll haunt you in season and out of season!"

"Pooh, I'm not afraid," Carly tossed her head; "I've no faith in any of
this spiritist foolery."

"Don't call it foolery, my child," said a serious voice, as Peter's
father came into the room.

Benjamin Crane gave the impression of power and gentleness, a fine
combination and rarely seen in its perfection. A man of sixty, he looked
older, for his thick hair was white and his smoothly shaven face was
lined with deep furrows.

He joined the group of young people, and it was indicative of his nature
that there was no pause in the conversation or appearance of constraint
of any sort.

"But it is foolery, Mr. Crane," Carlotta defended, "I've tried the Ouija
Board myself, and it's a silly business."

"Not so sill