The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1884-04-05

trance?'
That's a weak point, but in time we
shall get over that. can influence
/ four people out of five Miss Durant,
for instance, would be very good
subject"
Wilkinson sat silently smoking for q
few minutes. Apparently the mention
| of Amy's name had turned his thoughts
into another channel.
He half wished he was back in the
room where she was sitting Then he
thought of recent events, and determ-
ined that he would show that he could
enjoy himself without her.
The two friends were soon in the
midst of an animated discussion of their
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 q 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 e"
Wilkinson looked at his friend
''Did you ever try it from personal
motives?'
Spencer looked as if he wished the
question had not been asked
II don't mind telling YOU. Toni
did once. You remember Nellie
Fletcher?'
yes; thought you liked her at one
time
$50 l did. but l wanted to know if
she liked me. | put her into trance,
with her consent, and made her an
offer She refused me-"
Didn't she remember anything about
it afterwards?'
mot an atom. The best of it is that
the subject can't help answering abso-
lutely truly, uniniluenced by etiquette
or anything of that sort. You're
lucky fellow, Tom, to have been safe in
proposing to Miss Durant without
having to experiment first
Eyes, was Toms laconic reply.
enc doubt about her liking you?''
al hope not, as we are engaged
You re lucky dog; she's charm
inc girl
Wilkinson naturally assented, hut 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 debt of
gratitude you owe me, Tom. l could
make her think you the meanest scamp
on the earth and forbear."
What do you mean?'
81 mean she. is a splendid subject.
[ could easily gain complete control
over her mind and continue the in
tluence in the waking state. "
Wilkinson began to feel uncomfort-
able, and changed the subject abruptly
"Did you have Il 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. I'm 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, cousin,
and reputed old flame of hers. Tom
was of very jealous disposition, and
had taken ottense at it without explain
ing his reason. Consequently there
had existed during the last few days n
decided GOODNESS between the lovers,
and Tom had hoped that on the present
evening he might have q 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 Il confdaut 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 I'M
certainty; why not decide once for all
whether Miss Durant cares for YOU and
you onlyP"
"How can r."
EASILY enough. We will get her in
here; | will mesmerize her, and while
she is in the trance we will ask her if
she cares two straws about Bartlett"
''lt's all very well for you to talk in
this easy way; you don't know what it
is to be jealous
Don't -" exclaimed Spencer; ''re-
member Nellie
But how can we get Amy here?"
asked Wilkinson. What possible OK
cuse can we have for asking herr"
ave don't want one," replied Spen-
Ger, confidently; ''all we have to do is
to will that she shall come"
81 don't believe il"
'Lets try" suggested Spencer. 'We
may fail, l acknowledge; we can but
try"
"After moments hesitation Wilkin-
son assented.
"Now," said Spencer. concentrate
your mind and will strongly that she
shall come"
Tom knitted his brows and willed. 1t
would have been an amusing sight for
any spectator. The two young men,
with eyes fixed and hands firmly
clenched, were bent forward in an atti
tude of intense suspense, doing appar-
emily nothing.
care you willing?" asked Spencer,
of