The Eaton Democrat. (Eaton, Ohio) 1875-1903, 1884-04-03
V;ltinson ,oosod at b;s fr;ana

Spencer looked as if he wished the
question had not been asked.
81 don't mind telling you, Toni
did once You remember Nellie
Fletcher?"
Eyes; 1 thought you liked her at n
time"
$50 1 did, but 1 wanted to know if
she liked me. 1 put her into a trance,
with her consent, and made her an
offer. She refused me-"
didn't she remember anything about
it afterwards?"
s.Not an atom. The best of it is that
the subject can't help answering abso-
lutely truly, uninf1uenced by etiquette
or anything of that sort. You're a
proposing to Miss Durant without
having to experiment first"
"Yes," was Toms laconic reply.
mo doubt about her liking youp"
al hope not, as we are engaged"
you're a lucky dog; she's a charm
ing girl"
Wilkinson naturally assented, but did
not feel altogether pleased when Spen-
Ger began praising Miss Durant some
what enthusiastically.
He felt still less so when Spencer
ended by saying:
"You don't know what a debt of
gratitude you owe me, Tom. 1 could
make her think you the meanest scamp
on the earth and l forbear."
"What do you mean?"
81 mean she is a splendid subject.
1 could easily gain complete control
cver her mind and continue the in
f1uence in the waking state"
Wilkinson began to feel uncomfort-
able, aud changed the subject abruptly.
"Did YOU have a good time at the
Kesterton's dance the other night?"
Splendid, replied Spencer, warmly.
He was not so wrapped up in science
that he was unable to enjoy the lighter
| pleasures. .sTm afraid you didn't,
though; you looked as if you had the
blues"
Tom could not say he had passed a
pleasant evening. The truth was that
Amy had, on that occasion, danced
several times with Bartlett, a cousin,
and a reputed old flame of hers. Tom
was of a very jealous disposition, and
had taken offense at it without explain
ing his reason. Consequently there
had existed during the last few days a
decided GOODNESS between the lovers,
and Tom had hoped that on the present
evening he might have a chance OF
making matters smooth again.
However, Amy had not felt called
upon to allude to her conduct, and he
had not done SO.
He wanted a confidant, and SO he
began to monopolize the talk; it was
his turn. He told Jack the whole story,
confessing his jealousy of Bartlett and
asking his advice.
"My dear boy, said Spencer, ''there's
only one course open to you. You are
making yourself miserable by this un'
certainty; why not decide once for al
whether Miss Durant cares for you and
you onlyp"
"How can I?"
Easily enough. We will get her il
here; I will mesmerize her, and while
she is in the trance we will ask her i
she cares two straws about Bartlett"
ats all very well for you to talk il
this easy way; you don't know what il
is to be Jealous"
Don't IP" exclaimed Spencer; ere
member Nellie"
.But how can we get Amy hereP'
asked Wilkinson. "What possible ex
cuse can we have for asking herr"
1--WE don't want one," replied Spen
Ger, confidently; "all we have to do il
to will that she shall come"
81 don't believe it."
diets try" suggested Spencer. sew
may fail, I acknowledge; we can blu
try"
"After a moments hesitation Wilkin
son assented.
Now" said Spencer. s%'concentrat'
your mind and will strongly that sh'
shall come"
Tom knitted his brows and willed. I
would have been an amusing sight TO
any spectator. The two young men
with eyes fixed and hands firml
clenched, were bent forward in an att
tude of intense suspense, doing appar
emily nothing.
"Are you willingP" asked Spencer
after a time.
Willing as Barkis," was the re
Spouse.
"Keep it up"
They kept it up for some time with
out result. Then just as Wilkinson wa
about to resign, Spencer exclaimed:
"Hark!"
ST sha'n't be long," said a voice i
the distance.
Then came sound the of a door bein,
closed.
s.By Jove, she's comingI" cried Spen
Ger. ''Quick, Tom, hide away thos
things"
The whisky bottle and glasses wer
hastily Struggled into a corner, and tn
pipes SHE'D into the fireplace.
Then came a gentle knock at th
door, followed by a soft .'May I com
in ?"
Spencer opened the door.
"Excuse my interrupting," said Mis-
5 Durant, ''but 1 thought you might war
case which fell out of his pocket on th
: sofa"
"a mere excuse, Tom," whispere
! Spencer.
Miss Durant turned to go, but Spel
u, Ger detained her by saying:
1--WE were talking of you, Miss d.
, rant, just as you came"
sIndeed?"
!, yes" said her lover; s.Jack hs
T been letting me into a few of the secre
, of his profession. 1t seems he's a gre,
: : mesmerist, and was saying that 70
= = were a capital subject"
: Gam IP I've never been mesmerize
in my life. What is it likeP"
"The simplest thing in the world,
: said Spencer. "You only drop off int
9 9 a kind of dream"
"!And then the mesmerist makes yo
do what he likes" added Tom.
"How curious! 1 should like to II
it," said Amy.
'.I'll mesmerize you with pleasure
you like" said Spencer.
8 'You will be bound to answer all b
y. questions truthfully," said Tom, war
. !, ingly.
Amy looked up rather annoyed.
! 'One would imagine you were
: opinion that t~ruthfulness vas not one
> my usual characteristics" she sal
"Im not afraid of the test"