n using the trumpet, the vital force of both the manifesting spirit and
the medium is concentrated in the trumpet in the effort of speaking. Sit
perfectly quiet for a moment; I will close the windows and prepare the
room."

A few touches on the small keyboard in her desk, and lo the heavy double
curtains swiftly and silently unrolled and covered the windows. At the
same moment, the beautifully ornamented, dome shaped center of the lofty
ceiling began to glow with a constellation of soft, phosphorescent
lights, filling the room with a radiance as mild and silvery as
moonlight, and yet even more soothing to the nerves. Presently the air
was vibrant with the low, sweet strains of distant music, soft and slow
and of such exquisite harmony that it seemed a rare combination of all
that was inspiring, charming and beautiful in the variations of time,
sound and rythm. The combined effect of the light and the music on
Fillmore Flagg was electrical. Every nerve was thrilled with rapture.
He was completely absorbed. As the music ceased he turned with a start
to look for the trumpet. As he looked, it slowly rose from the chair and
there came from it the clear tones of a manly voice, full of sweetness
and power. He heard these words: "Fern, my daughter, will you tell this
gentleman who I am?"

"My dear father," said Fern, "How glad I am that you have joined us! Mr.
Flagg, this is my father, Fennimore Fenwick, of whom I have told you so
much. Father, this is Mr. Fillmore Flagg, who, as you already know, has
promised to devote himself to our work."

As the trumpet slowly moved nearer, Mr. Fenwick said: "Mr. Flagg, as the
father of Fern Fenwick, I extend to you a cordial greeting and a most
hearty welcome to Fairy Fern Cottage. I trust this is but the
commencement of a long and uninterrupted acquaintance, which may soon
ripen into a true friendship, that shall bring much pleasure and profit
to both. I am exceedingly well pleased with your advanced ideas on the
subject of co-operative farming as the proper cure for the evils that
now make farm life so miserable and so unsatisfactory. I wish
particularly to congratulate you on the thoroughly systematic and
successful methods you have adopted to it yourself so well for this
peculiar work.

"Now my young friend, one moment to another matter which is likely to
prove of great interest to you. I find your parents in spirit life. I
met them since you came to the cottage. They approve of yo