"Urged to desperation, I plunged into a thicket near by. Amid a group of
trees in its centre, one lifted itself higher and straighter than its
companions. Upon its topmost branch, as I chanced to lift my eyes, I
beheld to my terror the woman whom I had sent into eternity, looking down
upon me with scoffs and grimaces!

"The ghostly apparition wrought me to frenzy. In hot haste I climbed the
tree. Its straight, smooth sides, under ordinary circumstances would have
proved a barrier to my efforts, but in my excitement they formed no
obstacle. Reaching the top, I endeavored to grasp her. Stretching out my
arms and clasping frantically the air, I fell dead to the ground.

"Thus was I born into the spirit world. The idea that last possessed me
on earth, first possessed me in the spirit life.

"No mortal man can describe the horror I experienced on finding myself in
the midst of a boundless space, face to face with mine enemy. Her narrow
intellect and strong animal nature seemed to have expanded, even as I
have seen the face of a child expand from pleasing infancy into idiotic
youth. This animal part of her immortality roused my ire--struck some
savage chord in my nature--and I rose up like a wild beast to attack her;
but the creature laughed and jeered at my vain efforts. She led me thus,
in fruitless pursuit, further and further into space; inciting me on by
her taunts and ringing laugh, until I found myself in a dark and noisome
pit, when she suddenly vanished.

"Ignorant of the peculiarities of spirit condition, I could not grope my
way out of this place, which appeared to me a very hell. I wandered in
this gloomy labyrinth, breathing the foul air, and uttering fearful cries
which struck my ears with anguish. Black, threatening shapes appeared to