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Premonitions: A leap in to the future – Herbert Greenhouse [1971]

The first to die was Mrs. Marston, the gracious hostess who had supervised so many literary gatherings in the home.

Then in 1871 Cicely Marston was visited one night by the spirit of her mother, who said, "You will go first, Cissy, then Nelly (Eleanor), and then Philip, and last of all your father."

Cicely was anxious about the future of her poetry-writing younger brother, Philip Bourke Marston. Philip had been blind since he was a small boy and had been the special concern of his mother. Since her death, Cicely, an excellent poetess in her own right, had sacrificed her career to watch over Philip. But the prophecy had said both she and Eleanor would die before Philip. Who would care for him then?

With all his sorrow, a bit of happiness came into Philip's life. He was engaged to a beautiful young lady, Mary Nesbit, and had written fifty-seven love sonnets for her. A year after their engagement, Mary died suddenly. Philip needed Cicely more than ever.

It didn't seem reasonable to Dr. Marston that the father of a family should be the last to die, and he tried not to worry about the prophecy. But Cicely died suddenly in 1878, still a young woman. She was followed by Eleanor seven months later. Only Philip and his father were now left. Philip carried on by himself and in 1883 published a volume of poems, Wind Voices, that received critical acclaim. The book sold so well that it was out of print three months after publication.

Philip was only thirty-three years old at the time. His father was overjoyed but still fearful of the prophecy.

Then, early in 1886, Philip had an attack of brain fever, followed by a slight stroke. He died early in 1887. The prophecy was fulfilled.

Dr. Marston was now alone in his spacious house. He lived for three more years, then died in 1890.