The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1885-04-25


operation is required, you can perform it
during the trance, as he is quite insensible
to pain.
aBut can you always induce this
trance? ?"
"That's weak point, but in time we
shall get over that. | can influence four
people out of five Miss Durant, for in
stence, would be very good subject.
Wilkinson sat silently smoking for few
minutes. Apparently the mention of Amy 5
name had turned his thoughts into another
channel.
He half wished he were back in the
room where she was sitting. Then he
thought of recent events, and determined
that he would show that he could enjoy
himself without her company.
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 sub
iects, 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 a
vast power in the hands of the operator.
eyes, it undoubtedly does. Fortunate
" 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 any personal
motive p
Spencer looked as if he wished the ques-
ton had not been asked.
II don't mind telling you, Toni did
once. You remember Nellie Fletcher"
eyes; I thought you liked her at one
time"
$50 I did, but I 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 afterward p
"Not an atom. The best of it is that
the subject can't help answering absolutely
truly, uninfuenced by etiquette or anything
of that sort. You're lucky fellow, Tom,
to have been safe in proposing to Miss Dur
ant without having to experiment first"
dyes was Toms laconic reply.
"No doubt about her liking you ?"
Il hope not, as we are engaged.
''You're lucky dog; she's charming
girl"
Wilkinson naturally assented, but did
not feel altogether pleased when Spencer
began praising Miss Durant somewhat en-
Enthusiastically.
He felt still less SO when Spencer ended
by saying:
"You don't know what debt of graft
tude you owe me, Tom. i could make her
think you the meanest scamp on the earth
and [ forbear."
t'What do you mean p
81 mean she is a splendid subject. [
could easily gain complete control over her
mind and continue the influence in the
waking state"
Wilkinson began to feel uncomfortable,
and changed the subject abruptly.
''Did you have good time at the Des-
terton's dance the other night p
Splendid p replied Spencer, warmly.
He was not so wrapped up in science that
he was unable to enjoy the lighter pleas
ures. 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
ANY had on that occasion danced several
times with Bartlett, cousin, and reputed
old fame of hers. Tom was of very
Jealous disposition, and had taken offence
at it without explaining his reason. Conse-
auently there had existed during the last
few days decided coolness between the
lovers, and Tom had hoped that on the
present evening he might have chance of
making matters smooth again.
However, Amy had not felt called upon
to allude to her conduct, 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.
oMy dear boy, there's only one course
open to you. You are making yourself
miserable by this uncertainty; why not de-
eide once for all whether Miss Durant cares
for you, and you only ?"
"How can I?'
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
'It's all very well for you to talk in this
easy way; you don't know what it is to be
jealous"
aDon't l." exclaimed Spencer; @remem-
Der Nellie.
"But how can we get Amy here? asked
Wilkinson. "What possible excuse can
we have for asking her?"
"We don't want one, replied Spencer,
confidently; "all we have to do is to will
that she shall come"
"I don't believe it.
sLet's try" suggested Spencer. "We
may fail, acknowledge; we can but try.
After moments hesitation Wilkinson
assented.
"Now," said Spencer, concentrate your
mind and will strongly that she will come.
Tom knitted his brow 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 attitude of intense suspense,
doing apparently nothing.
"Willing as Barkis," was the response.
"Keep it up"
They kept it up for some time without
result. Then just as Wilkinson was about
to resign Spencer exclaimed;
"Hark y
81 shan't be long, said voice in the
distance.
Then came the sound of a door being
closed
"By Jove, she's coming p cried Spencer.
"Quick, Tom, hide away those things ]"
The whiskey bottle and glasses were
hastily smuggled into a corner, and the
pipes SHE'D into the fireplace.
Then came gentle knock at the door,
followed by soft "May come in?
Spencer opened the door.
"Excuse my interrupting, said Miss
Durant, "but | thought you might want to
smoke, so l brought Tom S cigar case which
fell out Of his pocket on the sofa.
"a mere excuse, Tom, whispered Spen-
Ger.
Miss Durant turned to go, but Spencer
detained her by saying:
ave were talking of you, Miss Durant,