The voice of Adoni seemed to permeate her whole being and awakened her soul with impelling intensity, lighting the abyss of darkness into which she had apparently plunged. Moved by a sudden impulse Truth turned her head to one side and looked into the depths of Adoni's eyes.

A moment passed; a transfiguring moment manifesting the power of love.

"Truth, do you wish to go with Clarence Vallero?"

A swift rush of recollection lifted the veil that obscured mind and sight. Truth gazed at Adoni, then as Vallero was again approaching her, she covered her eyes with her hands and cried out in a frenzy of despair: "Save me, Adoni; save me; don't let him cast this evil spell upon me again, or I - am - lost."

To this imploring cry for help every fibre of Adoni's soul responded. Swift as a flash of lightning, the powerful figure of Adoni moved toward Vallero, raising his hand with a gesture of command. "Enough! I warned you not to compel your wife to accompany you by force."

"Force," ejaculated Vallero, with a voice trembling with rage, "force?" "Why, damn your infernal impudence------I didn't lay a finger on her. Stand aside------or by God, I will use force to remove you. Do you hear?"

"Perfectly," replied Adoni calmly, without moving, and meeting Vallero's challenging glare.

The two men faced each other silently. Their eyes alone for many moments fought a wordless battle for supremacy, but the tenseness of the situation was at last broken by Adoni.

"You are at liberty, Clarence Vallero, to use all the force of which you are capable on me, but beware that the weapon you have chosen does not rebound and slay the slayer."

White with rage, Vallero raised his hand to strike Adoni - but - an invisible force held his arm inert - and immovable - his quivering frame betrayed that he strove with all his strength to stir - to speak - but could do neither. His chest hearved convulsively; his distorted face became blanched; his gaze wandered aimlessly around until it rested on Adoni who continued to hold him in his power. Comprehending fear widened Vallero's eyes. For a few moments Adoni regarded him with compassionate keenness, then with a quick gesture of command, released this weak, struggling creature from mortal agony.

A dark flush suffused Vallero's face; the nerveless arm dropped at his side, then as if the scales had dropped from his eyes they gleamed malignantly, and stared silently at Adoni with the look of a man who had lost his conscious power of evil.

There was a quiet expression of triumph upon Adoni's face at the realization of his victory, yet he felt a great pity in his heart for the man that stood like a criminal before him.

"Clarence Vallero, you perceive at this time that it is quite useless to attempt deception regarding the 'moral suasion' you employ. You now are also aware of other forces existing, more powerful, yet unfamiliar to the limited conception possessed by you."

"I can see quite plainly the moral difference between the crude methods of the cave-man and those you employ. It is in favor of the primitive man using his physical strength in an age when brute force was king, while you, who claim to be civilized, practice a barbarous cruelty which is far more disastrous and harmful than physical violence - ."

Vallero's sarcastic laugh interrupted him. "If it is as you say - disastrous and harmful - why do you, priest of a Christian church, use it?"

"I employ every force beneficiently - or not at all. I would not have permitted you to exercise your evil power in my presence had it not seemed necessary to convince Mrs. Ralston of the charge her daughter brought against you."

"Truth is decidedly mistaken. I used no such force. I know nothing about your damned occult laws. If she has been influenced by any one it's yourself who practiced this mystic power. When tracing a criminal it is usual to consider the motive for the crime."

"I fear your logic is as bad as your morals."

"Do you think so?" interrupted Vallero with a sinister expression. "Would not revenge be considered a sufficient motive?"

"Revenge! Upon whom and for what?"

"Oh, you needn't pretend that you were not jealous of that little affair between Mrs. Bourd-alone and myself."

"Only a cowardly cur like yourself would make use of a lady's name to shield himself. Henceforth, I warn you, never to refer to Mrs. Bourd-alone again or I might be tempted to again defend myself from your covert insinuation." Adoni paused, then turning apologetically to Mrs. Ralston and Truth who were standing somewhat apart: "I realize that this has been a severe trial for both of you but circumstances rendered it necessary. I feel that our acts were justified in demonstrating that it was not merely an illusion which caused your daughter this horrible torture of body, mind and soul."

The abject weariness and the drawn expression on the pale face of Mrs. Ralston gave evidence that her habitual poise and self-assurance had deserted her. Her trembling voice betrayed an inward emotion she scarcely could suppress as she falter-ingly began to speak:

"It's all very strange and mystical. I do not know what to think or believe. First, the wedding, which in spite of all my plans was such a dismal failure. Then, in the dead of the night, through this terrible storm Truth comes home, in the most disgraceful manner with startling accusations, followed by the strange, weird phenomena enacted in this tragic scene. These things have so wrought upon me that I am incapable of coherent thought and I cannot decide upon any definite plan to-night."

As she looked at Vallero a feeling of contempt crept into her heart, and she could not disguise the fear and distrust she felt of him but her words were carefully chosen and non-committal.

"Clarence, after all these strange and perplexing events, you must certainly see the painful position in which I am placed. Give me time to think. Leave Truth with me tonight; the poor child is really ill and she needs rest and the attention of a doctor. To-morrow we will talk matters over and arrange whatever seems best for the future. Be careful to let no one suspect anything wrong. Truth's illness will be sufficient explanation for the present and now we must bid you good-night."

With a slight inclination of the head, Vallero turned to go without uttering another word. As he reached the door, he looked back defiantly toward Adoni, his eyes glittering with malignant hatred.

"Meddling fool," he exclaimed bitterly. "You will repent your devilish interference; beware 'he laughs best who laughs last.' " In his tone of voice there was a vibrant note of revenge. He quickly left the house, slamming the door with a force which betrayed his outraged feelings.

During this tragic scene Truth remained silent, watching with bated breath the outcome of these warring wills and breathing a profound sigh of relief when she heard the door close and realized that Vallero had left them.

"Thank God!" She exclaimed, looking at Adoni with tears of gratitude in her eyes. "How can I ever thank you sufficiently for the great service you have rendered me? Words are inadequate to express my appreciation for all you have done."

"First of all you saved me from physical blindness and now you have led me out of this mental darkness, awakened my soul, and saved my life from destruction. As the veil is lifted from my eyes I can now see clearly that all this comes to me as a great lesson, to learn to become stronger and self-contained.

With a tremor of agitation in her voice Truth advanced toward her mother, grasped her hands and continued resolutely: "Mother, listen to me. For the future I shall order my own life and assert my individuality which was almost lost in the wilderness, out of which Adoni, my best friend, has led me - ."

"Not I," interrupted Adoni, "But God, who is ever guiding your footsteps into paths of righteousness."

"Oh! If I only had such faith and knew the secret of your strength."

"It shall be given to you," replied Adoni reverently. "You have already displayed great faith, courage and strength, to brave the storm tonight; it will take infinitely more to face the storm of the world's wrath. The fiercest gale that ever blew is a mere breath compared with the fury of public opinion that beats upon an aspiring soul, when it sets aside the verdict of the conventional, to follow the dictations of its own conscience. Yet I know that God will give you strength to withstand the storm and your life will prove to be something more than mere froth upon the ocean of existence."

In Adoni's voice, which he strove to control - confidence and entreaty were mingled - The revelation that flashed from his dark eyes as he looked into the soulful ones beside him, brought a silent confession of the irresistible law of love and attraction. Silently Truth and Adoni left the room and entered the hall - .

As Adoni opened the outer door the morning light was breaking through the darkness of the stormy night.

Gazing tenderly into Truth's eyes Adoni reached for her hand and gravely said: "To me, this morning seems like the dawn of a great awakening. I pray that God's divine power will direct your face ever toward the sun, that all the hidden forces of nature may give you of their strength to resist the influences that seek to turn you from your noble resolve. The path leading to lofty heights is difficult, and the road a lonely one to travel, but realize, little friend, that you are not alone. - I am with you in spirit, and will help you - as I want you - to help me."