The Argosy — page 232: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

I74 Ihe Mystery of Allan Grale. grandeurs and hothouse glories of his own establishment. “ They stir up a lot of dirty water, and rarely do any good at last.” “Most graphically put, and most true,” said Lady Laura, with effusion. ‘‘ Now that’s just what I want to spare poor Mrs. Grale. I know what sad lines there are in family tragedies, Mr. Grale.” She looked at him with her lustrous dark eyes, and Mr. Grale thought that fellow, Bond, deserved to be kicked. “What you suggested to Mrs. Grale was, I think, that she should consult a medium.” “Yes,” said Lady Laura. ‘ And if you and dear Mrs. Grale will only do so, I can at least say that it will be a chance. One can pro- mise nothing: the matter does not lie in their hands, you know.” “But they—what do you call them—the spirits ?>—would know, would they not, if anything zs wrong, and might they not tell it ?—the sort of thing one wouldn’t like told?” added Mr.. Grale, bending forward in his eagerness for an answer. ‘I have read queer stories of their power.” ‘The dear spirits,” said Lady Laura, “are tender to human weak- nesses and follies ; and tender—oh, how tender !—to human feelings! If you have a sore place in your heart, Mr. Grale, which it is neces- sary for them to touch, they will do it so gently and carefully. And their touch will bring healing with it, dear Mr. Grale.” “Yes, madam; but the question is—if they know any bad news, will they tell that ? ” asked the matter-of-fact manufacturer. Lady Laura paused. ‘“ How good you are, Mr. Grale! I don't believe my dear Bessie Tempest ever had a sitter whom she would more desire to serve. If there is anything she can be permitted— permitted by the spirits—to reveal to you and your friends, rely upon it she will do so.” Mr. Grale was rather taken aback. “I was not thinking of friends,” he said. “I was thinking of myself and my poor wife. There are some little matters about our son which I’ve kept to myself. You're a woman of the world, Lady Laura, and you will. know there are some things that it is best a mother should not hear.” ‘“‘ Ah,” murmured Lady Laura, catching back a sigh, “happy are those who have such a screen between them and the cruel truth!” “ And if anything went wrong with Allan—if he had any private trouble before he went away that he kept from his mother, why then I should like it to be, if possible, always kept from her,” pursued Mr. Grale. ‘‘ Now, would a medium be likely to speak of that? If so, I will not let my wife meet one.” “You can trust “41s medium, Mr. Grale. The moment you see Bessie Tempest, you will see that she never could or would be made the agent for wounding a mother’s heart. But, my dear sir, if it is to be a small family sitting, we must take care that the very intensity of your feelings and longings does not spoil all! Lord Dunster never had a merely family sitting : delicate as was the position of his affairs, CONNEC MOOOKS.CO