The girl grieved deeply for Peter. Though not definitely engaged, she knew their betrothal would have been sealed on his return. And not having the comfort that the Cranes so gladly accepted, she sorrowed for her lost love.
Her success with the Ouija Board was a matter of mystery to her mother and to all who knew of it. It seemed that she must be a medium, or possess some occult power, for whenever she placed her finger-tips on the little board it immediately began to move, and told such remarkable things that there was occasion for surprise. Nor did Carlotta move the board of her own volition. It was easily seen that she did not "push" or urge it in any direction. The most careful scrutiny could not only discern no effort of hers, but could not fail to be convinced that she made none. Her friends came often to beg her to give them a session. Her fame spread until it began to annoy her.
Gilbert Blair talked to her about it.
"You know, Carly," he said, "it's not really a message from a spirit you get, it's——"
"It's what, Gilbert?" she asked, smiling. "Don't you tell me it's fraud on my part, because it isn't."
"No, I don't think it's conscious fraud, but——"
"But you don't know what it is, do you?" the girl smiled at him, and Blair, looking deep in her eyes, said: "No, I don't know what it is, and I don't care. But I care about you. Carly, dear, can't you learn to love me? I'm not as good a chap as Peter—dear old Peter. But I love you—oh, girl, how I love you!"
"The Ouija Board said that Peter wanted me to turn my affections toward Kit Shelby."
"It didn't! did it? Then that proves that it was no real message from Peter! He would rather you'd turn toward me."
"How do you know?"