The Arkansaw traveler., 1888-05-12

lie QlQ not LOOK Ike happy man, women said. Nor was he. This sum- mer, however, contrary to his usual custom, he accepted an invitation from an old college friend to go down into Somersetshire for few days. Among the other guests were Gladys Raynor and Bernard Campbell. A we'll known writer on mesmerism joined the party on the day following Kennard's ar- rival. He appeared much interested in the latter, and soon found him al- most as ardent disciple of mesmer- ism and it's attendant phenomena as he was himself.
 "Your face betokens singular power of will, MT. Kennard," he said to him on the second evening, as they stood together in deep window recess. "Have you ever exercised the mes- merle influence you so undoubtedly possess?"
 "Often," answered the other, with a sudden, quick contraction of his brows.
 Have you ever failed2" "-
 "Never," was the brief reply.
 "Ah! thought not. should like you to try your power on some of the guests here tonight"
 "No, not tonight" said Kennard hurriedly. 'I don't feel up to it."
 "Don't you? You ought to. Give me your hand"
 The other complied with a short laugh.
 MT. Virrel held it for a few mo- ments, then slowly let it go.
 "You will oblige me, will you not?" he said then.
 "Very well," replied Kennard, speaking half to himself. "Yes, if you wish it."
 MT. Virrel's suggestion met with general approval. The hostess, a pretty, excitable young woman, was the first subject, much against her husbands wishes. But she was self willed little dame, and took her own way. Kennard had desired that the room might be perfectly silent. Mrs. Garden laughed little at first, then by slow degrees her beautiful eyes became fastened upon Kennard's- wavered, closed. She was completely in his power, and obeyed him implic- itly in all he told her to do or say, until her husband angrily interfered, and Kennard released her. Several other guests volunteered, and, in spite of evident disbelief, yielded with more or less difficulty to the spell cast over them by Kennard. Campbell, who was confirmed skeptic, scornfully re- fused o'take part in any such folly, as he called it, and stood apart with an expression of naughty boredom on his handsome face, until Mir. Virrel approached Gladys.
 "Miss Raynor," said the latter gen. tleman, twill you test MT. Remarks power?"
 But before she could answer Ken nard said hurriedly: "Miss Raynor will excuse me. have exhausted my powers"
 Gladys flashed a quick, grateful glance at him. He was leaning against the mantel-shelf, his face deadly pale, his eyes bent on the ground. In few minutes he left the room, and was seen no more that night. As the door closed after him, Gladys, half- rising met her lover's eyes, full of an amazed, , severe displeasure. She flushed crim- son, and sank back in her chair. But he had noted the burning blush, and the expression in her eyes as they rested on Kennard. He said nothing, but from that night 8 wild, bitter jealousy ragged in his heart, and robbed him of peace and rest.
 During the evening MT. virrel said to Gladys:
 "I feel certain you are clairvoyante, Miss Raynor. Do me let try if I am right"
 He was so confident and importun- ate that she yielded. But greatly to his surprise and discomforture, she did not come under his influence at all.
 On the following morning Kennard returned to town.
 Time went on. Half September had gone, and it was within fortnight of Gladys Raynor's wedding day. The weather had been for some days sultry and oppressive, and tonight a thun- der-s storm seemed imminent. Har- court Kennard sat in his chambers in the temple. The windows were wide open to the night, though the air without was as suffocatingly breath less as within. His usually busy pen was still, his books were pushed aside, and before him lay an open letter. It was from Gladys Raynor, and con- tained only a few words, thanking her "friend" for the handsome bracelet he had sent her as wedding gift. Her friend, he thought bitterly-only her friend. Nothing more. He had not seen her since they parted in Somer- setshire. He had not dared. For he knew that he loved her madlY, pas-