The Mystics

sitive woman is compelled by circumstances to cast aside the pleasant artifices, the caref

in her small drawing-room with its costly decorations, its feminine atmosphere, she was conscious for the first time that the banquet of life is not in reality a display of delicate viands and tempting vinta

ed gold was in reality but clay-she had been too mortified to see beyond her own horizon. In that moment their places in the drama had been indisputably allotted. She herself had appeared the unoffending heroine, unjustly humiliated in

woman-the egoist had become conscious of another existence. With the entrance of Bale-Corphew-with the sound of her own denunciation upon his lips-a new feeling had awakened within her-a fe

joy and fear shook her from head to foot; she involuntarily drew her figure to its full height,

as the outer door closed upon Bale-Corphew, her hands dropped to her sides and an expression akin to terror crossed her eyes. With a mind rendered supersensitive by it

w that she was free to sift the meaning of his words, their full significance was borne in upon her. With an alarming clearness of vision, she recognized that behind his threats lay a defin

s of stress and crisis; and before her knowledge, all ideas save one fell away like chaff

nutes to seven. Moving to the fireplace, she once more pressed the bell; and as Norris answ

orris," she said. "And a black

e expressed

k to dinner, ma'

ate, no one need wait up." She walked to a mirror and began nervously smoothing he

e, and allowed herself to be helped into her cloak. Then, without a word, she cr

the momentary delay almost overtaxed her patience. An audible sound of relief escap

ttendant must find something portentous in the words; then she sank into the corner of the cab and closed her e

d by dread. Once, as the cab halted in a block of traffic, she heard a clock strike seven, and at the sound the blood rushed to her face as she thought of the n

p beside the curb; and, with a nervous star

er, lady?"

! Just stop here! Put me down here!" She

ered Hellier Crescent after a week's absence. Her hand was trembling as she raised the hea

the door-keeper; then the slide, which had opened at her

umble member of the congregation who usually attended there, the tall, fair-bearded Arch-Mystic known as George Norov was guarding the door. Small th

rough her mind, Norov survey

my child; the Gathering

ked up

t I have come early. I have come because I wish-" Her courage

se I desire private Audience with the Prophet-because ther

d at her and his eyes

dience only in the morning,"

flu

there are except

ystic shoo

private Audience on

with him will satisfy me-three minutes-two minu

lue eyes met he

private Audience on

rch-Mystic's powerful figure, while she mentally measured his physical strength with that of the Prophet. Her survey was short and comprehensive; and her decision came with

him in your presence! I have only a dozen words to say; and, if necessary, I will say them in your presence. You can see it is urgent, when I am willing to h

rate gaze that his hard blue eyes softened; the next, t

ch desire it, you can make your request to my brother Mystic-

ds might have been spoken in all innocence, or might have been spoken deliberately and with malice. But in either case the result, so far as his listener was co

rt she controll

trouble Mr. Bale-Corphew. If I may, I will wai

nion bent

is granted

-implacable, enraged, unrelaxing in his pursuit. She waited irresolute, until the cold, inquiring gaze of the Arch-Mystic made action compulsory; then, sca

s was numbed by mental strife. Reaching the heavy curtain that shut off the sacred precinct, she thrust it aside with nervous impetuosity and stood looking around the deserte

y was occupied by one sombre figure that flitted silently between the lectern and the Throne. For an instant her heart leaped, for the man was of the same height and build as t

man turned and looked at her; but after a cursory glanc

daunted her anew. With a movement of despair sh

catch the slightest sound; her eyes unconsciously following the movements of the man within the Sanctuary; then, sudd

at the rows of chairs, at the gleaming octagonal symbol that hung from the roof; then, as

n the colorless, ascetic face, her own cheeks flushed with a new hope-a new inspiration. With a quick movement she glanced furt

ng she stood for a moment unable to command her voice. And when the Mystic-becoming suddenly awar

man appeared to realize that something was expected of h

can I s

she had walked up the aisle, her hand had sought her purse, but now, as she scanned the ascetic face of this unworldly servant, her

very great service," she said,

ed at her in

ded, quickly. "I know this seems unusu

appeared

broke in, uneasil

hecked hi

ade her discard her purse, she saw that by a semi-mystical appeal-and by that alone-could she hope to succeed.

he greater virtue?" she

ic looke

last, hesitatingly, "

face

s us that we are to rely upon ourselves-and also upon each other. We are to help ourselves

he added. "In desperate n

ered. She knew that this was her last chance-that,

ned half fearfully from the intent, appealing face t

ess of enthusiasm

. My whole happiness-all my peace-depends upon confessing it. I cannot speak with him before the Gatheri

upon her chances of success. In a fever of anxiety she waited, watching the man's gaze

e Gathering will be a

still time. It is a matter o

shuffled

impossible

impos

h-Mystics themselves are guarding the Threshold.

to disturb him? If the

are we, that we should thrust our wrong

She lifted her head, and her fingers closed fier

s people high above himself. The message of a Soul in distress is of more value in his ey

rily the

eing-the whole future-of one Soul in your hands to-night. Ho

stic c

ote-book that hung at her waist. "Take this note. Tell no one. Give it into the Prophet's own hands-" She drew out a pencil and wrote a few enigmatical words. "Give

s something important, essential-sacred." On the last word

n aside; and for the second time that evening, the f