The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1881-01-29

did not need the Indictment Of hand CLAP
ping and the chorus of sob, do" that
greeted the proposition to promptly consent.
L began to be deeply interested in the ex-
pertinent, and now that was myself accred-
tied with possessing this occult power my
skepticism began to waver.
But before we go any further" he said,
- must make one condition--and that is,
that should fall into comatose state, you
VIII not put to me any question OF private
nature-as L shall be compelled to answer
truthfuly, literally, whatever it may be.
promised faithfully not to do so.
The previous disposition was now reversed,
the lamp was set so that the light should
shine upon my face, and Arnold was enyel-
oped in the cloak, as had been.
And now, with all the nerve power pos
sessed fastened my eyes upon Arnold's.
White and CHASTITY looked his face rising
out Of the blackness of the drapery, which
gave it almost the appearance OF being di-
Ylded from the body and suspended in space.
The lips were wide apart, and the greenish
eyes were dilated to their utmost extent,
with strained fascinated look, such as they
might have worn under the influence of
rattlesnake. l could scarcely suppress
SILVER at this uncanny- looking picture; but
wild spirit took possession Of me that night
which soon swept away all such com
FUNCTIONS visitings Of nature" Everybody
seemed to be thoroughly impressed by the
giggling, no whispering, all was silent as
death. After about minute my eyes grew
rigid in their intense stare, until it seemed
to me that l no longer had the power to
move or close them, or even wink lid;
gradually could feel the pupils dilate, until
they seemed to become two huge flies glow
ing with lambert and metallic fire. could
see that every nerve of the white face was
quiyering, the breathing was short and la
bored, and a dull, stony glare came into the
starting eyeballs, far-away, trance-like
look, that told me that consciousness was
gone, and that the very soul of the. man had
passed over to my keeping. And l felt
cold, cruel, hard triumph in this, a desire to
strain my mastery to the utmost. l rose
from my seat, slowly moved backward, and
imperiously beckoned him, never relaxing
my fixed stare, which seemed to scintilate
and flash. AS l rose, he rose, clutching the
edge Of the table to guide his trembling steps.
Slowly l moved, he following, seemingly i'm
PEELED by an involuntary but resiStless i'm
pulse. stopped suddenly; he stopped.
What is your nameP' / asked, impera-
lively.
In a forced, hollow voice he gave one, that
l afterward discovered was his family name,
Arnold being only theatrical sobriquet.
At this one of the gentlemen broke in, pro-
testing;
"No, no; that is against the bargain-no
questions"
ut is time to put an end to it; don't like
it," said another.
"Oh! yes" added lady, sit is too hor-
rible."
The interruption seemed to exercise the
fiend that possessed me, and call me back to
myself; with an effort wrenched my gaze
from that CHASTITY face. AS l did so, Ar
mold, as though he had been only upheld by
my eyes, fell upon the floor in strong con-
vusions.
Our experiment in mesmerism spoiled the
rest Of the evening; for although after a
copious outward application of cold water,
and judicious inward one of neat brandy,
he soon recovered and tried to laugh off his
illness, it left creepy, disagreeable depres-
sion upon all, which no amount of hot
spirits and water and forced jollity could sue
coed in dispelling.
As it may be supposed, the effect was
strongest upon me, and it chiefly took the
form OF intense annoyance at the part | had
played; l would have given anything to
have recalled the past few minutes. After
Arnold's recovery, by tacit understanding,
no one made any reference to his strange ILL
ness, indeed, all seemed DESTROYS for time
Of putting it out of their thoughts-and none
so much as the principal actor in it, who
laughed and TESTED in feverish manner and
never allowed the conversation to flag for
single moment, as though he feared the sub
ject might crop up again.
Everybody, however, was eagerly discuss
ing the singular event next morning at re-
hearsal. / avoided the gossiping groups, for
the remembrance of the scene was 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,
and to catch my eye, as though some of the
fascination Of the previous night still sur
rounded me.
After rather late dinner, for the rehearsal
was very long, l was 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 1 least desired to
see. 1t gave me quite shock. 1t was the
first time he had ever called at my lodgings.
In common courtesy was obliged to ask
him to take seat and draw near the fire, as
the weather was cold. In a vague, listess
manner he placed chair in such position
that it exactly faced mine, dropped into it
without word, and tried to fix my eyes. l
Immediately shifted them and stared into
the fire.
He made no attempt to account for this
visit; he talked very little, and in an absent
manner-that betrayed his thoughts were
not on his tongue-about the business of the
theater. 1 felt very embarrassed by his
presence, and presently rose and rang for
tea. What could do but ask him to remain,
and kept his seat. felt quite terrified by
the change that had come over him-from a
noisy, jesting, rollicking kind of fellow, who
had always gibe for me, to this silent sub
dued man, with those dreadful eyes ever
yearningly seeking mine.
Atlength he went away, and never in nv
life did feel so thankful for anybody's de-
parture.
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, laying his hand up
on my arm, said, in hoarse whisper:
" MesmeriZe meV
started back and answered, shudderinp-
": "Not for worlds!o
"You must" he answered, passionatelv.
And somehow or other, | can not tell how.
few minutes afterward we were sitting
vis- gis staring into each others eyes. In
less than minute there was in his the dull
stony yagueness of insensibiity.
| covered my face with my hands, but
withdrew them, as l heard something fall
heavily upon the floor, to see him huddled
at my feet in commissions, the froth bubbling
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 between his
clenched teeth.
When he recovered nearly tainted my
self; but, rallying by an effort, told him
very positively that he must not come any