Show THE spiritualist the clfo jean was situated at the corner of a quiet street in paris fe quiet at all times considering the near proximity pro of a noisy and much frequented boulevard but particularly so after 11 at night acate one evening most of the of this bright and comfortable cafe had taken their departure raising their hats as the manner is in france to madame jean tho smartly dressed and dignified proprietress who still sitting at her post behind the marble comptois compto ir smiled and bowed in return as they went out the blinds were already down and tha doors closed in preparation for the night sac a little longer listening to the gossip of the neighborhood gathered during the dabby the head waiter to retail for her special amusement when the days work was avei and one could indulge in a little then round and seeing that nearly all the well known customers who every evening played dominges dominoes dom inoes or cards and sipped coffee or drank eau sucre or stronger et ronger mixtures under her vigilant but friendly eye had left she retired for the night leaving the remainder to the care of her faithful alphonse there were only about a dozen people now and everything was sleepily quiet in the cafe when suddenly the stillness was rudely broken by a loud voice exclaiming angrily it is a lie I 1 dont believe a word of it and I 1 defy you to prove it all looked up startled from game or newspaper as aliese words burst from one of the occupants of a small table at the farthest end room the speaker seemed very much excited his companion on the contrary remained cool and self possessed under the provocation but his white face and peculiar glittering ayea belied that outward appear once and arrested attention when noticed two had been engaged for some time in close and earnest conversation without raising their voices interrupted only now and then by subdued exclamations and incredulous remarks from the excited man which evidently did not succeed in either shaking or moving the pale man who continued talking to him and answering his objections quietly until his opponent losing all self control sprang to his feet and violently disturbed the inmates of the cafe by the angry words quoted above seeing that he had attracted general attention he looked around and said gentlemen I 1 appeal to you all 1 am sorry if I 1 have disturbed you with somewhat violent language but you shall judge whether I 1 am justified in refusing to believe the story I 1 have just heard we happened to eiff at the same table and naturally entered into conversation our talk drifted from one subject to another until I 1 made some joking remark about the so called research into the mysteries of th spiritual world I 1 grant it is a fascinating subject even for an unbeliever like myself and a good one for conversation and playful badinage but to be told seriously and as an undeniable fact that the spirits of the departed can and do revisit this earth when they have promised to do so passes the a bounds of credulity my neighbor tells this most extraordinary story that two years ago tonight he lost his dearest friend a lifelong friend who on his deathbed seeing his despair solemnly promised that he would appear to him on the anniversary niver sary of his death which took place about midnight if his friend invoke his spirit he affirms that he has already seen him once since he died now I 1 ask you as men of sense living in the nineteenth century is it possible to believe such a statement the pale man had flushed angrily during this speech but it was only a transient betrayal of feeling for his face resumed ita former pallor although his ayea retained their strange light and it was with a marked expression more of annoyance than anger than be replied calmly it is nothing to me whether you be lieve or not I 1 have simply stated a fact and it is the truth you pressed lowith questions concerning that great trouble of my life until I 1 told you all my de beair when I 1 lost my friend after years of mutual devotion and attachment and his promise to return I 1 told you truthfully that he had already kept his prom ise once but you not me I 1 do not wonder the spiritual world is ft closed book to the majority a glimpse is obtained now and then by some but chiefly by conjecture and speculation only whereas actual experimental knowledge is rare and not often communicated munica ted I 1 told you what my privileged experience had been and can prove it incredible as it irmy appear to you while be was speaking a number of new arrivals had invaded the cafe calling in on their way from a neighboring theater for a drink or a cigar their curiosity being aroused by the words they bad partially heard they drew near to listen and being informed of what had happened joined the others in discussing the pros and cons of this debatable topic some laughingly some seriously according to the view they took of the subject no one seemed to take t very seriously however except a few rho shook their heads doubtfully while hel at them im inked about spirits above the babel ake noise exclamations and snatches of conversation could be heard such aa who knows do you what will yon bet 1 I am no foole 1 I bet a hundred franca he cant prove strange things happell hap etc the gambling element asserting itself bets ran high and it was finally agreed to deposit the states in tha hands of the incredulous man and then they called upon the with goolt in his eyes to make good hid words he seemed strangely reluctant and sighed and hesitated but at last up hia mind and said if I 1 comply with your request you must all submit to ray conditions you must give me conr promise that no one will attempt to intrude upon me or disturb me in any way and that I 1 shall nave one witness with me this was considered quite reasonable and all consented readily 1 I need not add that of course you will hold yourselves bound in honor to keep the conditions faithfully you ar he continued firing his basilisk oye on his opponent who winced perceptibly ahall you must ao company me imo ino ne ax ta wo boora shall bo left apen and yon will have to describe alond whatever you may see if the experience turns out to be a painful one you have only yourself to thank for it with these words he rose and walked toward the corridor leading to the inner parac of the house and beckoned to tha other mart who by this time considerably subdued hesitated for a minute but putting on the best face he could he took up a lighted lamp from a table and followed him into tho first room to the right leaving the doors wide open As they disappeared a strange hush fell over the noisy and excited company silence reigned for some time until the twelve strokes of midnight heard sounding distantly from a church clock then a voice arose in tha nest room baying slowly and solemnly maurice darand thou who promise that on the anniversary of our cruel parting thou give me the consolation of seeing thee again if 1 sailed upon thee to appear remember thy promise dear friend I 1 entreat thee come maurice appears App earp then came a pause amid breathless breath lesa silence but soon the voice was heard again saying maurice remember thy vow I 1 I 1 beseech alice appear another silence then another voice was heard saying in tremulous accents there is a faint light in the darkest part of the room it takes a shapel atia ahl awall an unearthly shriek rent the air followed by a crash and a heavy fall and and then all was silent once more the startled listeners looked at each other with dismay some had turned pale while others looked ill at ease but all felt uncertain irresolute what to do some time elapsed before it was suggested that they ought to disregard their promise and go in and see what had happened so as to render assistance if it were needed A move was made toward the room but it wag in total darkness A light was procured and this tasy found the room was empty the lamp was upset the table overturned and the window wide open the two men had gone and the stakes with them from the french |