The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-07-14
bow, however, Cowper himself joined

bow, however, Cowper himself joined us, holding out his hand to me.
 "I've just puzzled you out," he said. "These centuries of absence have changed you a good deal, besides met amorphosiDg your name into Car ruthers, the mesmerist. I see you have selected my wife to make dis play of your power on. Do you know, Felicia, that this is an old chum of mine, who wants to play these tricks on you?"
 Mrs. Cowper looked from her hus- band to me with look of gentle de- preciation, which told how much rather she would remain in her corner.
 "I hope you don't seriously object, Mrs Cowper." I said. "There is no one present by whose help can make such satisfactory demonstration of what I have been saying"
 "Oh, no, she doesn't object" laughed Godfrey, "she will be delighted to shine in such a useful light" She herself did not answer; the quiver round her mouth looked like any, thing rather than a manifestation of delight. She was evidently longing for courage to decline.
 "Now, then, Liola," went on her husband, "every one is on the tiptoe of expectation to see what this old wiz ard is going to turn you into-don't be silly"
 But was already scrutinizing the faces present to find more willing, if less ductile medium. Cowper looked annoyed as a ready victim was found in a middle-aged spinster, and though l was too much engaged to turn my attention to the group I had just left, was fully aware that he adminis- tered smart rebuke to his wife be- fore he left her again alone in her seat.
 But if had for the moment relin- quished my attempt to try the effects of hypnotism on Mrs. Cowper, I was by no means prepared to renounce it altogether, for each moment of casual observation convinced me more fully that she was more ready and im- questionable medium than any with whom it had hitherto been my lot to deal.
 Questions eagerly discussed, and at present only part solved, returned to me with overpowering force as the presence of my friends girl wife grew more familiar to me-doubtful points on which any new fact would be a gain to science, enigmas the satisfac- tory solution of which would be the crowning glory to any career.
 Before left Mr9. Lyogesse's that evening I had found an opportunity of persuading Mrs. Cowper to submit to my experiments the following day in private. She did not require much persuasion, and 1 felt that I was talk ing rather underhanded advantage of the lecture her husband had just bestowed on her.
 The next day I arrived punctual to my appointment at the address in Brixton, which Cowper had given me. 1 was surprised to find that he lived in an unmistakably third-rate house, and that the servant that opened the door was just as unmistakably lodging house maid of-all-work. I asked for Mrs. Cowper, but the only occupant of the dingy little upstairs sitting room into which I was shown was Cowper, who lay smoking on horse- hair sofa.
 "This is an unexpected pleasure, COwper," said, as we shook hands. "1 must confess had timed this visit to fall in your office hours, so that might play what you are pleased to call my charlatanical tricks on your wife in your absence"
 "Ah, indeedp he replied, lightly, "that was very considerate of you but you reckoned without your host. I am no longer the slave of routine, and the office exists no more SO far as I am concerned"
 "What!" l" I cried, "you don't mean to say you have lost your appoint ment?"
 s'Oh, dear, mol I haven't lost it. To use the word 'lose' implies regret. It has lost mel resigned. It was too IneCllaHlCdl, too oClrCuinsCrlDcO ' career for me-"
 "Your ambitions are lofty, my dear fellow"
 "They always were," he replied, un- conscious of any irony in my remark. "A good deal loftier than red tapeism liked"
 "And now, what have you taken up to replace red taper" I began to un- derstand the dinginess of his entourage now.
 "Oh, now, I am going in for litera- ture; that is more elevating, isn't it! It's quite long story, and would per haps bore you," he said with an air oi great self satisfaction. "But it Is un. doubtedly my mission"
 "No doubt you are good judge 1T