The sun had already been hidden from view by the huge bluff behind the house, though it was still broad daylight at the homestead, and good Mrs. Bartram had dallied in her supper work to talk with Nathan’s wife, when the Squire put his head in at the door to announce that Professor Russell, the noted seer, medium, and clairvoyant, would honor them with a visit and give them proof of his supernatural powers. “For the land’s sake,” exclaimed Mrs. Bartram, “why didn’t you tell us before! Here I hain’t got my work done up yet. How long before he’ll be here, I wonder?” “O, not for a half hour or so; he stopped down to Job Atkins to help find them that colt that was lost,” replied the Squire. “And how can he help them, unless he’s the one that took it? Them that hides can find, I take it,” continued the good lady, with a sniff. “I haven’t much use for these folks that knows _too_ much and whose ways are dark.” “Wait until after you see the Professor, before you judge,” said the Squire. “And so we are to be entertained to-night by one who is in league with the powers of darkness,” said Donald, a young man of eighteen years, as he entered the family room and seated himself by the side of his new sister-in-law. “Lissa, don’t you tremble at the thought of the evil wraiths that are to fill this room?” “I fear more the evil spirit that shall animate your Professor, Donald,” replied Melissa, who in her Eastern home had imbibed a deep prejudice against the so-called spiritualists. “His spirit? Mne, let me see. I believe a big Injun, Stuck-in-the-mud, or some such high-sounding name, is his especial _Control_; but he is not confined to one familiar. His demons are many.” “How absurd,” laughed Lissa. “You won’t say so after to-night. I’ll wager the best pony on the ranch you’ll be a firm convert before the evening is over. Maybe I’ll add a side-saddle, too. Eh, Lissa?” “I’m afraid I can’t gratify you by accepting any such foolishness as that, even for the sake of the saddle, or permit you to wager upon a certainty of losing.” “Did I ever tell you how the Professor found his wife?” Donald asked. “No, but I suppose you’ll tell me through some celestial matrimonial agency,” she replied.