Adoni looked up from his book and sat for a few moments in deepest thought, then resumed his reading.

"The whole Universe is open to the searching of your Soul, if Love be the torch to light the way."

Again Adoni lifted his eyes and repeated the words: "If Love be the torch to light the way" - eagerly he continued to read:

"Thought is the voice of the Soul. Just as the human voice is transmitted through distance on the telephone wires, so is the Soul's voice carried through the radiant fibers connected with the nerve brain. The brain receives it, but cannot keep it - for it is again transmitted by its own electric power to other brains - and you can no more keep a thought to yourself than you can hold a monopoly on the sunshine. Everywhere in all the worlds, throughout the whole, cosmos, Souls are speaking through the material medium of the brain. Souls that may not inhabit this world at all, but that may be as far away from us as the last star visible to the strongest telescope - ."

Adoni once more lifted his head and looked around.

"I thought some one came in the room."

Seeing no one, Adoni sat several moments in perplexed thought, then again attempted to read. "The Lovers of God are the beloved of God, their passion is divine, knowing no weariness, no satiety, no end; for God is the Supreme Lover and there is nothing higher than Love-----."

Adoni dropped his book upon his lap, sat upright in his chair - and listened-----.

"I thought I heard some one calling me - yes - there came a voice - very faint and feeble - calling - Adoni - ."

Quickly he arose, went into the hall to investigate - who had been calling him. Seeing the draperies between the door sway lightly, he brushed them quickly aside in hopes that Martha was there concealed, trying to play a joke. But - she was not there.

"Martha dear, are you hiding from me -?" Adoni shook his head. "How strange that I should be so mistaken.------"

Unconscious of the white robed form appearing within the folds of the curtain, and following him closely to his chair, Adoni again seated himself, picked up the book, attempted to read, but could not. With a sudden impulse he closed it, sat with his head leaning upon his hand, reflecting seriously. While trying to analyze the feeling of mystery that was stirring in his soul, two loving arms were wound around his neck, and lips pressed long and tenderly upon his forehead. At its touch - Adoni rubbed his hands across his eyes, and gave a shivering sigh.

"What influence is this that so strangely impresses me------?"

"It is I - your mother------."

A slight tremor shook Adoni's body.

And as a trembling voice whispered close to his ear: "Adoni - Adoni, my son - listen - my boy------."

Adoni startled and glanced nervously about - •

"I am positive I heard my name called------."

"You did - you did," the mother wailed, as she reached for his hand, "come, come with me - Adoni------."

"That surely is Martha calling me------."

"It is I, Adoni - your mother - can't you hear me - can't you see me - Adoni - Adoni------"

"There, she is calling me again." Quickly Adoni arose, walked into the hall, looked everywhere for his sister - then mounted the stair, and opened the door to Martha's room - but - she was not there------.

For several moments Adoni stood - mystified. Not knowing what next to do, he reflected gravely:

"There is something wrong - somewhere------."

"There is, there is," cried the mother in agony. "Come - come, my son - she is not here------."

Abruptly Adoni turned - rushed excitedly through all the rooms, then almost leaped down the stair - searched in every concealed corner of the house - but all in vain - Martha was nowhere to be found. A sense of uncontrolled fear made Adoni tremble------.

"My God! where can she be------?"

"In the garden - the garden," the despairing mother cried as she glided swiftly before him. - Adoni standing motionless, she placed her hands upon his shoulders and moaned:

"Can you see me now, my boy------?"

Adoni shivered - but stared mutely into space.

"Oh, dear God," prayed the mother in mournful tones. "Help me to save my precious little daughter------."

As if by some impelling force, Adoni made his way toward the outer door - then hesitated------.

"Come quickly Adoni, or Vallero will ruin your sister-----."

Like one receiving a terrible shock - Adoni staggered backward! He pressed his hands upon his head, and from his toneless lips fell the name of "Val-le-ro - !"

"Vallero - Vallero - !" he stammered several times, then cried out in a voice of appalling terror. "My God! Why should I speak that name while looking for Martha?" Adoni shuddered! "I know now, that she is in danger somewhere - but where - Oh God!------where -?"

"In the garden!" moaned the mother in agony, and clung desperately to his hand. "Haste, haste, my boy, or you will be too late - !"

Moments in which Adoni was striving to control his trembling spirit passed - then suddenly as if drawn by some invisible power he reached for the door, and rushed madly into the garden.

The light of the moon reflected its dismal shadows upon the gravel walks winding through the spacious grounds, along which Adoni was mechanically speeding. Realizing not where lie was going in his frantic search for his sister, he dashed on and on between beds of flowers and dense shrubbery, in which were concealed numerous benches and vine-covered garden houses. Having just passed one, Adoni stopped short! - A shadow in human form flitted across the pathway! With extended arms from which hung a fleecy gray drapery the ghost-like figure darted from one side of the walk to the other, as if trying to prevent Adoni from going any farther.

As if rooted to the spot, Adoni watched the shadowy form brush by him with noiseless tread and glide up to the garden house, where - in prayerful desperation the solemn figure beckoned him.