New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-14

had been.
And now, with all the nerve power possessed,
fastened my eyes upon Arnods White and
CHASTITY looked his face rising out OF the biackness
Of the drapery. which gave ii almost the appear
snoe OF being divided from the body and suspended
in space The lips wide apart and the
greenish eyes wero dilated to their utmost extent
with a strained fascinated look, such as they might
have worn under the influence of rattlesnake.
could scarcely suppress shiver at this uncanny-
looking picture; but wild spirit took possession Of
that night which soon swept away all such
compunctious visitings of nature Everybody
seemed to be thoroughly impressed by the weird
ness OF tho situation; there no giggng. No
whispering all was silent as death. After about a
minute my eyes grew rigid in their intense stare
until it seemed to that no longer had the power
to move close them, even wink Ind u adn-
ally could feel the pupils dilate. until they s"emed
to become two huge discs glowing with a lambert
and metallic fire. could see hat every nerve of
the white face quivering. the breath
ing was short and labored. and dull, stony glare
came into the starting eyebals. a far away trance
liks Dok that told me consciousness was gone, and
That the very soul of the man had passed over 10
my keeping. And felt cold, cruel hard triumph
in this, a desire to strain my mastery to the ut
most i rose from my seat slowly moved back
ward, and imperiously beckoned him never re-
Taxing my fixed stare. which seemed TO scintillste
and flash. As I rose he rose. clutchng the edge
OF the table to guide his trembling steps. Slowly
/ moved he following. seeminglT impelled by an
involuntary but resistless impulse. stopped sud-
denly he stopped.
What is your name asked imperatively.
In forced hollow voice he gave one. that
afterward discovered was his family name, Arnold
being ONLY theatrical sosriquet.
At this one of the gentlemen broke in. protesting:
No, no. that is against the bargaln-no Ques-
tons
1t is time to put an end to it l don't like it,
said another.
Oh yes added lady, Ii is too horrible
The interruption seemed to exercise the fend that
possessed me, and call me pack to myself with an
effort 1 wreuched my gaze from that chastity face.
AS did so. Arnold, az though he had been only
upheld by my eyes. fell upon the floor in strong
commissions.
Our experiment in mesmerism spoiled the rest of
the evening; for although after copious outward
application OF cold water, and iudcious inward
one OF neat brandy he recovered ana tried TO
laugh OFT his illness, it lett creepy disagreeable
depression upon all. which amount of hot spirits
and water and forced ollity could succeed IN dis
peng.
As il may be supposed the effect was strongest
upon me- and it chiefly took the form of intense
annoyance at the part had played; would have
given ANYTHING to have recalled the past few
minutes. After ArnOld's recovery. by a tacit I'M
derstanding, one made any reference to his
strange illness indeed all seemed DESTROYS for
time of putting it out of their thoughts-and none
SO much as the principal actor IN 1t, who laughed
and tested IN a feverlsh manner and never allowed
the conversation TO flag for single moment, as
though he feared the subject might crop up again.
singular event the next morning at rehearsal l
avoided the gossipng groups, for the remembrance
of the scene horror TO me; so did Arnold,
whom I studiOusly attempted to avoid but he took
an exactly opposite course following me wherever
/ went, trying to engage me in conversation ana
to catch my eye, though some OF the fascination
of the previous night still surrounded me.
After a rather late dinner, for the rehearsal was
very long, | doing IN my chair when there
came soft tap at the door, and to my sleepy
come in there appeared upon the threshold the
tall gaunt figure of the man whom of all Others |
least desired to 1t gave me quite shock. 1t
was the first time he had ever called at my lodg-
ings.
:. In common courtesy was obliged to ask him to
take q seat and draw the fire. as the weather
was cold In a vague lstess manner he placed
chair in such position that it exactly faced mine.
dropped into 1t without word. and tried to fix my
ewes | Immediately shifted them and gazed into
the fire.
He made no attempt to account for this visit; he
talked very little, and in an absent manper-that
BETRAYED that his thoughts were not on his tongue
about the business of the theatre. felt very
embarrassed by his presence. and presently rose
and rang for tea What could 90 but ask him to
remain and take 1t with mef He said Thank GU
and kept his seat felt quite terrified by the
l. from o. lost
ing. rollicking KIND of fellow, who had always
gibe for me- to this silent. subdued man, with
those dreadful eyes yearningly seeking mine.
At length he went away and never in my life
did feel so thankful for anybOdy's Departure
But he came the next day about the same time.
and acted in Just the same manner. until the lights
were brought in; then all at once he rose from his
chair crossed over to where was sitting. and lay
ing his hand upon my arm, said III a hoarse
whisper Mesmerize me-
started back and answered shudderiugly: Not
for wOrldsp
You must he answered passonately.
And somehow or other, cannot tell how, rev
minutes afterward we sitting risG-cis staring
into each others eyes In less than minute there
was in his the dull stony vagueness of insensl-
bility. H..
| covered my face with my hands, but withdrew
them rs [ heard something tall heavily upon the
floor to see him hudded at my feet in convulsions
the froth bubbllng upon his lips.
did not call for assistance luckily had some
water and some brandy in the room. | knelt down
and copiously bathed his head and face. and then
with some difficulty forced little of the spirit be
tween his clenched teeth
When he recovered nearly tainted myself; but
rallying by an effort, told him very positively
that he must not come any mere.
L cannot stay away; | must come was ms an
swer. And again the dilated eyes began TO wander
cravingly IN search Of mine.
cannot describe the horror felt at these Visit''
and at length l begged 4 lady friend had IN Tue
theatre IN come and stay with me. The following