Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-07-19

of Night.
A long murmur of stupefaction ran
through the audience, to whom it was q
visible relief when the doctor followed up
his barbsrous experiment with more won
derful power.
Having gently drawn the dagger from
the bloodles wound, the doctor waved his
hands, and Olivia commenced to sing.
Her notes were low and sorrowful, but
sweet to a degree, and their effect was duly
heightened by the orchestra's soft accom-
paniment. At another sudden signal from
the mesmerist the song was broken off ab-
ruptly, ending with plaintive chord sound
ing almost like cry of despair. Il seemed
as If the interruption sundered evey tie
which bound her to reality; as if her mind
were wandering in all the uncertainty of a
great sadness. Her eyelids opened, her
eyes looked upward like those of Madonna,
and seemed to overflow with the lndefinable
griet of a soul.
The orchestra, whose part, no doubt in the
performance has been carefully rehearsed,
followed with Its strains Olivia's rapture.
Almost unnoticeably the air changed to the
theme o. a fantastic dance, and before long
the body of the mesInerized girl swayed to
and iro in perfect accompaniment with the
music. The time quickened, and the notes
grew louder, and soon Olivia, her features
still cast in the same sleep-like repose, was
dancing with all the grace and abandon of
an Eastern dancing girl. At another move
ment of the doctors hand the end came as
suddenly as when she sang, and her limbs
again assumed their former trance-like Lam
guor. Vociferous applause broke out over
the entire theater and continued until the
doctor once more faced the footlights, and
made second speech.
Thanks, he explained to the concentra-
nf nna fIa nd of
more, to the prolonged intensity of her ex-
altation, Mademoiselle. Olivia had Just
entered upon the most arute condition of
lucidity. She would now, should the audi
once wish 1t, read any passage from closed
book, or private manuscript; name and
describe any hidden object; and indicate the
secret thougts of any of their number who
would place herself in direct comWunica-
tion with her.
At frs: no volunteer appeared, the spec
tators evidently taking it for granted that
the privilege should be ACCORDED to Lord
Warner. Nor was he behindhand in his
acceptance of the challenge, for, rising from
his seat, he stepped over the balustrade of
the box in which he sat, and crossed the
stage to where the doctor stood.
you? Again?" the latter asked in an
audible tone, evidently ANNOYED and beside
himself with irritation. "WelI, so be it,
consent"
The orchestra was silent, and the whole
house watched the drama being played be-
fore them, with breathless interest.
As for Lord Warner he appeared per-
feetly oblivious, both to the polite imperti-
nence o his rival and the steady gaze which
Lady Warner still kept upon him. Olivia,
who had sunk once more into a state ofcoma,
turned her face toward the intruder, show
ing neither surprise nor any other emotion
whatever. She received quite calmly the
closely-sealed envelope, which he handed to
her, perfectly unconscious Of the passionate
and fervid declarations which it undoubtedly
contained. Her whole attention seemed
riveted upon it. as she nervousIy turned it
over and over In her hands. Suddenly, as
if possessed OF the idea that the contents
concerned her and her alone, hemade mo-
tion as if to break the seal.
In an instant her effort was arrested by an
imperious movement of the doctors hand,
and again she became simply the clair
voyant and mesmerized subject. The doctor
stepped hurriedly between the two lovers,
his face pale with anger, and his thin lips
contracted.
"Enough!" he cried, in an insolent voice;
''she has understood it; the experiment is
over, and Warner, unable to conceal his
modification, slowly regained his seat.
his speech. this woman, thoroughly i'm
pregnated with magnetic fluid, is nothing
but simple bunch OF nerves, an articulate
mass OF flesh, governed and moved at will
by the laws or a secret science. LookI"
and at the word he extended his thin arm
violently before him. Olivia's body seemed
to contract in the rigidity of death, and as
statue might fall from its marble pedestal,
she fell upon the stage. Her head struck
VI n nlprT ri y mn fhoi l.
motonless, Kellogg knelt down upon her
inert body anj poanded it brutaIly with
his knees
Leaving the PROSTATE object of his fury,
the doctor advanced and with one gesture
hushed the tumQlt.
What is the matter?'he cried, "what
do you lear? This Is all foolishness. a pure
illusion, simple trickerv. To one and all OF
you have promised the truth, and now
am going to speak of it." He paused for
moment, as ii for the sole purpose of cast
ing mocklng glance and grimace at the
box wherein Lord Warner sat. s'The truth
is this" he continued; this woman is not
mesmerized at all. Far from it; she is
neither visionary nor a somnambulistic
subject; she is something much better, a per-
feet comedian, an incompatible clown, if I
may use the word, with muscles of steel aud
front OF bronze. In the role she PLAYS
nothing can brighten her, nothing can
overcome her wonderful power of dis
stimulation. Look at her now, stretched
out in her satin robe, wrapped in such
slumber as marble statue knows! Well
this poetic creature, this being fashioned in
art, is as wideawake and conscious as any
one OF you; she hears as distinctly as your
selves every word that I am saving and,
moreover, am very certain that at the
present moment only most heroic effort
keeps her from breaking out in hearty fit
of laughter"
"A liei an infamous lier' cried Lord
Warner in tones of despair and humiliation
"Who dares to speak of lies?" continued
the doctor. quite unmoved. "You wish for
proof, do You? You shall have it. Mad
amoiselle Olivia! our work is over for this
evening; the farce is over. AriseI'
Smiling and fresh, with an agile bound,
Olivia rose to ner feet and stood beside her
impressario. Then came a thunder of ap-
plause. The public, forgetful of the decep-
tion, thought only of the theatrical effect
A few dissentients here and there, believers
in mesmeric science, expressed disapprobs-
tion, but their voices were drowned in the
overwhelming laughter and clapping of
hands. Suddenly, through the tumult rang
out the sharp report of pistol, and from
Lord Warmers box a thin stream of smoke
was seen to issue. Instantly dead silence
reigned, and each person throughout the
huge building sat as if trans6xed.
"Poor man, he believed it all" Olivia
was heard to say, her voice breaking this
time with genuine sobs.
and then the suicide was seen to fall
across the front of the box, a stream of