The Anaconda standard., 1890-08-03

uehiy as wheh sue sang ana her hmos
again assumed their former trance-like
languor. Vociferous applause broke out
over the entire theater and continued un-
I'll the doctor once more faced the foot
lights and made a second speech.
Thanks, he explained to the concentra-
still more, TO the prolonged intensity OF
her exultation, Mademosille Olivia had
Just entered upon the most acute condi-
ton of lucidity. She would now, should
the audience wish il, read any passage
from closed book or private manuscript;
name and describe any hidden object.
and indicate the secret thoughts OF any of
their number who would place herself i'm
direct communication with her.
Al first no volunteer appeared, the spec
tators evidently taking IL for granted that
the privilege should he accorded to Lord
Warner. Nor was he bchnd-hand In his
acceptance OF the challenge, for, rising
from his seat, he stepped over the balus-
trade of the box In which he sat and
crossed the stage to where the doctor
stood.
"You? Again ?" the latter asked i'm an
audible tone, evidently annoyed and be-
side himself with irritation. "Well, so he
IL, consent"
The orchestra was silent, and the
whole house watched the drama being
played before them with breathless inter
est.
As for Lord Warner, he appeared per
fectly oblivious both to the polite imperti-
nence of his rival and the steady gaze
which Lady Warner still kept upon him.
Olivia, who had sunk once more into a
state of coma, turned her face toward the
intruder, showing neither surprise nor
any other emotion whatever. She re-
ceived quite calmly the closely-sealed en-
velope which he handed TO her, perfectly
unconscious of the passionate and fervid
declarations which il undoubtedly con-
In Anr ~ m M rtr
eted upon il as she nervously turned il
over and over i'm her hands. Suddenly, as
IL possessed of the idea that the contents
concerned her, and her alone. she made
motion as IL To break the seal.
In an instant her effort was arrested 10y
an imperious movement of the DOCTORS
hand, and again she became simply the
clairvoyant and mesmerized subject. The
doctor stepped hurriedly between the two
lovers, his face pale with anger, and his
thin lips contracted.
"Enoughw he cried. in an insolent
voice; "she has understood il; the expert
ment is over" and Warner. unable Ia
conceal his modification, slowly regaincd
his seat.
To the audience il was only too plain
that the rivalry between the two men had
reached its height. and, needless of all
else, they now awaited the expected
crissis.
"And now," said the doctor, taking up
his speech. this woman, thoroughly inn
pregnated with magnetic fluid. is nothing
but a simple bunch of nerves, an articu-
late mass of flesh governed and moved at
will by the laws of secret science.
Look ~ and at the word he extended his
thin arm violently before him. Oliva's
body seemed to contract in the rieidity of
| death. and as statute might fall from its
marble pedestal, she fell upon the stage.
Her head struck violently upon the boards
and as she lay motionless, Kellogg knelt
down upon her inert body and pounded il
brutally with his knees.
Ii was frightful sight. The audience,
moved beyond itself, was stirred with a
great feeling of disgust and horror. the
shouts OF horror drowning the frantic
efforts of the orchestra to attract atten-
ton.
Leaving the PROSTATE object of his
fury, the doctor advanced and with one
GESTURE hushed the tumult.
whats the NATTER" he cried, "what
do you fear? This is all foolishness, a
pure illusion, simple trickery. To one
and all of you have promised the truth.
aud now i am going to speak it.' He
purpose of casting mocking glance and
grimace at the box werein Lord Warner
sat "The truth is" he continued. "this
woman is not mesmerized at all. Far
from IL; she Is neither visionary nor n
| somnambiilistic object; she Is something
much .better, a perfect comedian, AN
incompatible clown, IL ! may use the
word, with muscles of steel and front
| of bronze.
"In the role she plays nothing can
| frigIten her, nothing can overcome her
wonderful powers of discrimination. Look
at her now, stretched out in her satin robe,
wrapped in such slumber as "a marble
| statue knows. Well, this poetic creature,
this being fashioned in art, Is as wide
awake and conscious as any one of you
word that / am saying, and, moreover,
| am very certain that at the present mo-
| ment only "A most heroic effort keeps her
fro n breaking out in hearty fit OF laugh
| ter"
"A lie, an Infamous Iie." cried Lord
Warner in tones of despair and humilia-
| ton.
"Who dares to speak of lies 2" contin-
ued the doctor. quite unmoved. "Iou
wish for proof. do you? You shall have
u. Madamoiselle Olivia, our work is over
| for this evening; the farce IL over. Arise
Smiling and fresh with an agile bound, /,
| Olivia rose tn her feet and stood beside
Der impressario. Then came a thunder Of
applause. The public forgetful Of the de-
ceptlon, thought only oflthe theatrical eff
| feet. A few dissentients here and there,
believers in mesmeric science. expressed
| disapprobation. but their voices were
| drowned IN the overwhelming laughter
and clappinR Of hands. Suddenly. through
the tumult, rang ont the sharp report Of "a
pistol, and from Lord Warmers box a thin
! stream OF smoke was seen 10 issue. In
stantly dead silence reigned. aud each h
person throughout the huge building sat
| as if transilxed.
"Poor man! he believed il ALL" Olivia
was heard to say. her voice breaking this
| time with genuine sobs.
Aud then the suicide was seen To fall
across the front of the box. "a stream of
blood pouring down his ashen. deatl-likc
face. With an effort he raised himself
upon his arm, aud taking an unsteady
aim AT Doctor Kellogg, fired again. The
| shot appeared To take effect. for the doc
tor, with a sharp exclamation OF sudden
agony, aud turning right around upon his
| heels, fell TO the ground upon the stage.