The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1884-04-03
ined that he wonld show that he could

former subject. Spencer told of various
curious experiments in which the
operator had questioned his victim on
all sorts of subjects, obtaining replies
to everything, even when the question
was one which he would not have
wished to reply to if conscious.
This made Wilkinson remark that
the possession of this meSmeric gift
placed vast power in the hands of the
operator.
"Yes, it undoubtedly does. FOrtu.
nately, scientific men are the last in the
world to take advantage of it for private
ends"
Wilkinson looked at his friend.
''Did you ever try it from personal
mOtives?"
Spencer looked as if nc wished the
question had not been asked.
Il doh't mind telling you, Toni
did once. You remember Nellie
Fletcher?" s.t
"Yes; 1 thought you liked her at one
time"
$50 l did, but l wanted to know il
she liked me. put her into a trance,
Will uCI COLSClJs slliNl llIclbC hSA ''Ai
Offer She refused me.
Didn't she remember anything about
il afterwards"
Not an atom. The best of it is that
the subject cant help answering abSO-
lutely truly, unintluenced by etiquette
or anything of that sort. You're a
lucky fellow, Tom, to have been safe in
proposing to Miss Durant without
having TO experiment first. !"
"Yes," was Toms laconic reply.
'.No doubt about her liking you?"
81 hope not, as we are engaged.
You're lucky dog; she's 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 ol
gratitude you owe me, Tom. 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
over her mind and continue the in,
fiuence in the waking state.
Wilkinson began to feel uncomfort-
able, and changed the subject abruptly.
''Did you have good time at the
Kesterton' 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. I'm afraid you didn't
though; you looked as if you had the
blues"
Tom could not say he had passed g
pleasant evening. The truth was that
Amy had, on that occasion, danced
several times with Bartlett, a cousin
and reputed old flame of hers. Ton
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 g
decided GOODNESS between the lovers
and Tom had hoped that on the present
evening he might have chance oi
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 wa:
his turn. He told Jack the whole story,
confessing his jealousy of Bartlett anc
asking his advice.
''My dear boy, said Spencer, ''there':
only one course open to you. You art
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; will mesmerize her, and while
she is in the trance we will ask her i
she cares two straws about Bartlett. p"
s'It's all very well for you to talk il
this easy way; you don't know what i
is to be jealous" "
Don't -" exclaimed Spencer; ''re
member Nellie"
"But how can we get Amy here?''
asked Wilkinson. ''What possible ex
cuse can we have for asking her?"
1--WE don't want one," replied Spen
Ger, confidently; "all we have to do il
to will that she shall come"
Il don't believe it,
''Let's try" suggested Spencer. "W
may fail, 1 acknowledge; we can bu
try"
"After moments hesitation Wilkin
son assented.
"Now," said Spencer. ''concentrat,
your mind and will strongly that sh'
shall come"
Tom knitted his brows and willed. /
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 atti
tude of intense suspense, doing appar
emily nothing.
care you willing?" asked Spencer
after time.
"Willing as Barkis," was the re
sponse.
"Keep it up"
They kept it up for some time with
out result. Then just as Wilkinson wa
about to resign, Spencer exclaimed:
| 'sHarkr'
"I sha'n't be long" said voice i
the distance.
Then came sound the of door bein;
closed.
"By Jove, she's comingr' cried Spen
Ger. "Quick, Tom, hide away thos
things"
The whisky bottle and glasses wer
hastily smuggled into corner, and tn
pipes SHE'D into the fireplace.
Then came a gentle knock at tn
door, followed by soft ''May L com
in ?''
Spencer opened the door.
"Excuse my interrupting," said Mis-
Durant, ''but l thought you might wan
to smoke, so 1 brought Toms cigar
case which fell out of his pocket on th
sofa"