The Mystics

ition of mental chaos-as liable to repudiate as to accept the seeker for their confidence; but before one month had passed he had, by domination of will, so moulded this neurotic mass of

subdued, almost a devotional, light over the wide, imposing apartment and across the ebony table, on which rested the sacred Scitsym, surrounded by an array of smaller and more ancient books, several rolls of parchment, a number of quill pens, an

roused him to attention, and a moment later the door of the apartment opened and an asce

of profound abasement; then he steppe

w voice. "The newest among

am of interest crossed his eyes; but

ual formula. Then he glanced at his attendant. "Afte

oom, almost immediately reappearing, to usher in the devotee, and with

r height and grace, and brought into prominence the clear pallor of her skin and the remarkable luminous brilliance of her eyes. A struggle between s

her, and the shadow of

," he said. "

ourage, and with slightly agitated

interest-his hands clasped, his eyes upon the Scitsym-while the fearful, the fanatical, the hysterical had poured forth their tales of struggle or aspiration. But now, on this last morning, he was conscious of a new suggestion, a new impression in what had grown to be routine. This last aspirant for spiritua

nly about the room, as if unwilling or unable to break into speech; then

" she said, in an irre

me in the presence of the credulous, became suddenly a matter of impossibility. With a quiet digni

"My only desire is to help you. Tel

"You-you are most kind-" she

notice of her

s to be set at rest?" He spoke so quietly that her nervousnes

said, candidly. "You see, I am

ad waited for had really come?" His voice was

al; I confess I did not believe that any one would come, that there w

et lifted

come?" he as

thing was

gestion and recollection, something of his own experiences in the realm of mental upheaval rose wi

erent?" he said once more

real person-the one sane thing in the whole ceremony. I felt-I knew that you

particular meaning in the question; he was only cons

peak-I have loved to hear you speak. But-but to be alone with you-" She paused, expressively. "It is all so stran

did you c

e-because I coul

the first time the spectacle of his fraud, as seen from a point of view other

To teach you all that what you seek in me, is in each one of you. Every man is his own Prophet, if he but knew it!" As he spoke he turned his eyes upon the Scitsym, and the hard, inscrutable look that so dominated his followers descended upon his face. As he reached the last words, he glanced again at his compa

hing," he said. "That you have each within yourselves the thing you

o rose. She was pale,

he asked. "If one longs to rely upon some o

od with one hand resting on the ta

silence, she appro

ything, if I might learn it from you." She paused pleadingly; then,

mptuous," she said.

ity stung him. For the first time in his career as Prop

he checked himself. "I am here to teach my Peop

e half doubtfully; then at last he

may come

at last his words did come, his voi

time," he said, wit