Moon Mirror Read Free Page B

dangers. There are now foundations set up to study sensitives.”
    “But—but people think that mind reading and all that stuff is just faking,” Sue protested. “They will still say I'm crazy.”
    “If you talk about it with those wrongly educated, or ignorant, you may have that response, yes. But the first thing you must accept, Sue, is silence on your part, until you have the type of help you need to accustom you to this. Can you keep quiet?”
    Sue licked her lips. “What about Mom, Dad, and Jerry? I could keep quiet with other people, but I don't know about them. Jerry knows already there is something wrong by the way I acted in the kitchen.”
    “Yes,” Miss Carmichael had been running a finger tip down the page of the booklet, now she paused. “I can see your problem, Sue. I don't know how much your parents may be ready to accept this. That is why we may bring in an expert in the field—Dr. Muriel Evans.”
    “A psychologist?” Sue flinched.
    “A parapsychologist, Sue. She is the head of a researchdepartment at Stafford. I have met her once; she gave a lecture here at the library three months ago. I shall get in touch with her.”
    “But—until then?”
    “I can not say more, Sue, than to keep as quiet as you can. Do not experiment nor discuss the matter—just be assured that you are not losing your sanity.” Miss Carmichael paused. “There is something else, Sue. Now you are frightened, disturbed, as is only natural. But that feeling of strangeness will go. And—this is very important, my dear— do not allow yourself to misuse what has been given you.”
    “Misuse?” Sue wanted nothing but to be rid of what Miss Carmichael seemed to think was a gift, but what she hated and feared.
    “Misuse, yes. You—” Again Miss Carmichael hesitated. “Perhaps the simplest way I can warn you, Sue, is to say that such talents lay a heavy burden on those who possess them. Any advantage which comes from their use must be for the good of others, not for the selfish gain of one who has the gift. Think of that if you are tempted to put your ‘seeing’ to any test. Say to yourself, Sue, is this for real benefit?”
    “I won't use it at all” Sue returned quickly.
    “You think that now. But conditions have a way of changing. Just think before you do, that is important.”
    Sue gave a sigh. Perhaps it made sense to Miss Carmichael but—
    Miss Carmichael stood up. “There have been books written about this, Sue. You haven't been a very steadypatron of ours of late but your card is still in force. Suppose you read a little about other people who have had to learn to live with paranormal gifts.”
    Books—Sue caught at that. “Oh, yes—” she was eager.
    But as she neared home, the money-heavy purse against her hip and the two volumes Miss Carmichael had chosen for her under her arm, she began to feel apprehensive again. If Jerry had told Mom about what had happened— Well, she could say she was sick again. If Mom had not yet gone to her room, found that screen out— She had better hurry!
    The screen was still loose. Maybe that meant her absence had not been discovered. Sue jerked it farther out, scrambled in and pulled it back into place. The books—she'd put them here in the case. And—
    She had just dropped her purse on the tumbled bed when there came a knock at the door.
    “Sue! Sue—are you ill? Sue!”
    Mom! Sue straightened, to face her reflection in the mirror. She did not look any different. Was Miss Carmichael right about what had happened to her? But there was no reason for the librarian to lie, and she had even called Dr. Evans, made an appointment for Sue to meet with her in Miss Carmichae's house next Saturday. She would not have done that if she had just made up a story to keep Sue quiet.
    “Sue!”
    “Coming!” This would be the first test, seeing Mom, keeping quiet.

    She opened the door. Mom was worried all right. Jerry hovered behind her, his face unusually sober.
    “Sue, Jerry