The Argosy — page 192: what you’re looking at

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

The Mystery of Allan Grale. 175 he invited friends—confidential friends, of course—and ¢vusted to the spirits not to fail him. ‘They never did.” Mr. Grale paused. ‘‘If you consider it would be best to have another or two present, Lady Laura,” he said, ‘“‘ we can easily ask some one or other. I would ask Dr. Palmer.” “That delightful doctor who is attending Mrs. Grale? The very thing. We like to bring our subject before scientific men. And he has daughters—very nice girls. And then there are your friends at the. Court.” She had heard much of the Vivians from Mary Anne. She might have also heard something from Viscount Rockford and Lord Pelerin. ‘ But it is not for me to suggest,” she resumed. ‘‘ That lies with yourself, dear Mr. Grale. And we must not have anyone antagonistic at these meetings, or all is ruined.” ‘The General and his niece are ill,” observed Mr. Grale. “If I had anyone from the Court, it would be George —— Mr. Vivian. He is a nice fellow, and we all like him. But now,” he continued, after a pause, “ will your ladyship pardon me if I put to you the chief question which I came here to put ?” He looked at her intently for a moment. Lady Laura, inwardly wondering, looked at him. “ T think you will deal frankly with me, Lady Laura?” ‘Why, my dear sir, how can you doubt it 2?” * Well, then do you truly believe these mediums have any such power? I mean the power of discerning things which they assume to have, but which is not possessed by ordinary people. Or do you think it is a sham altogether, put on to serve their own interests ?” “Their own interests?” gasped Lady Laura, her eyes and face pre- senting one perplexed stare. ‘Ts it merely assumed to gull the credulous public and put money into their own pockets?” continued the plain-speaking man of business. Her ladyship gave vent to a frightened little scream and flung her hands over her face. “Oh, Mr. Grale! Oh, dear, dear Mr. Grale! If you only knew how true and earnest they are !—how single-minded my dear Miss Bessie ‘Tempest is! Pray dismiss the thought!” “Then —— ” ““A moment yet, dear sir; let me say just a word. ‘There may be a few such wicked impostors as you speak of, for the world abounds in such ; nobody is safe from them: but oh, dear Mr. Grale, do not, pray, confound them with the true mediums who have been, for the helpful purpose of aiding their fellow creatures, so highly favoured. You may trust Bessie Tempest as you would trust me.” ‘Very well—and I thank you, madam, for answering me candidly, and for setting my doubts at rest,” said the good man. ‘Then we will arrange for the séance—-that is what it is called, I believe. I should Conniclooolks (CO)