rls.

So he only said, carelessly, "There's no accounting for the doings of
people who are obsessed by that sort of thing. But, look here, Julie, if
it is any comfort to your parents to think they have messages from
Peter, you wouldn't disturb their belief, would you?"

"No, I don't. That's why I don't have a real quarrel with Carly. I think
she knows I've discovered her part in it all, and I think she knows I
resent it; but, as you say, if it helps dear old dad and mother to bear
their grief, I'm willing they should wear out one Ouija Board after
another!"

"Good girl. You attended the lectures, I hear."

"Yes, and they meant nothing to me. What was produced as evidence seemed
to me no evidence at all. I'd like your honest opinion, Gilbert."

"I didn't hear the lectures."

"But you can read the books. Sir Rowland has written several, and there
are hundreds of others. Do read some, and see if you can find anything
in them--anything at all that is conclusive proof."

"Proof of what? Of continuity of existence?"

"Not that, no. But proof that the spirits of the dead have ever
communicated with the living."

It was during this conversation that Benjamin Crane came in. He was
evidently in a happy mood, his face was radiant and his fine features
glowed with enthusiasm.

"I've had such an experience," he exclaimed. "I've had a _seance_ with a
real medium----"

"Oh, father!" Julie cried out, involuntarily, but he only smiled
benignly at her.

"Just listen, Julie, dear. Reserve your comment till you hear it all.
Then we'll see."

He drew his armchair nearer the fire and rubbed his hands to the blaze,
then settled back in comfort, taking the cup that Julie brought him.

"Yes, yes," he went on, "a wonderful experience. You know," he looked
round, including all his hearers, for all present had drawn near to
listen, "you know I felt sure we had no real mediums here in America.
When Sir Rowland told of the trustworthy ones he has consulted in
England, I almost decided to go over there myself. But I heard of one
here in New York, and I investigated fully her credentials and
references before going to her. Truly, she is a marvel."

"I thought they weren't allowed," observed Shelby, smiling a little.

"'Not allowed' is sometimes a mere figure of speech," and Mr. Crane
smiled, too. "However, I was allowed to see her and have a real
_seance_--oh, Helen," he turned to his wife, "I can scarcely wait to go
there again a