The Olneyville tribune. (Providence, R.I.) 1893-189?, 1894-06-09

erting a subtle influence over me that
confused my mind and kept back the
words / wanted TO utter?
"Selma, when did you see DR..
Secor?" / said, anxious 10 discover
whether had lost control of my
tongue.
To-day" she said, simply.
"Did he teach you how to hypno-
tize?" l continued.
"Yes, he tried to, but have partly
failed"
"Not partly, but wholly" / an
swerSd, quickly.
She smiled as she answered:
"You are mistaken. You are partly
under my power. Iou cannot rise
from your chair without permission
from me, and you cannot ask me the
question you desire"
To show how absurd her words were
attempted TO get mp, but my limbs were
paralyzed. | could not move. Neither
could | tell her of my love and ask her to
accept me. The realization of my
condition made the perspiration stand
out in great beads on my forehead.
"How can / free myself from this
position ?" asked in desperation.
"Only by obtaining my consent"
"And you? How can you return 10
your normal condition."
"You have it within your power to
relieve me. "
Then l will DO il as soon as l have
shown my power over you. | must
tell you that 1"
81 could not get any further. The
words choked in my mouth. My
pride forsook me at the thought of my
utter helplessness. | bowed my head.
at is useless. There is some mys-
terious power holding me back.
cannot tell you"
'If | willed it so you could, and i
would have TO answer you truthfully. "
did not raise my head. i was sick
of the whole business. IL was ruinous
to the mind and nerves. | almost
dreaded the result of such a strain
upon Selma with her sensitive, emo
tionsl nature.
"Release me, Selma, and j will with
draw my influence, j said, suddenly
raising my head.
But as my eyes met her bright ones
n delicious sensation stole over me.
My spirits rose with a jump. The
heavy oppression was withdrawn. i
only realized that Selma was before
me-bright, beautiful, enhancing.
Ny tongue was now free, and in the
most eloquent language ] poured out
the story OF my passion. L even rose
from my chair and advanced TO her
side. She was still sitting motionless,
with her hands hanging listlessly by
her side. She answered my questions
al child--as mere sutomaton.
There was no animation Or emotion in
her words or voice. She was en-
tranced, hypnotized.
recoiled from her. The truth
flashed across my mind in an instant.
At my bidding she had reliquished her
subtle power over my mind, but in my
enthusiasm i had forgotten to release
her. From partial state of hypno'
tism she had then rapidly fallen into a
totally quiescent, passive condition. !
had unconsciously taken undue advan.
tage of her and obtained her mechani
cal confessions of love. The thought
filled me remorse aud disquietude.
/ turned from her and bowed my
head on my hnnds. The whole night
experience had been disagreeable and
even horrible TO me. vowed that il
would be the last time / should evel
tamper with hypnotism or other un
seen mental forces. / dreaded TO look
around and see what effect the whole
occurrence had upon Selma. She was
quiet and immovsble, but her hare
breathing fell monotonously upon my
ears.
Selma" / said, finally, turning tc
her, "1et us never try this experiment
again.
She looked up at me and shuddered.
She was now in her normal condition
The feverish brilliancy of her eyes haC
disappeared.
"No, never" she murmured. '1t
seems as if ] was waking out OF {
dream. But il was n delicious dream
or at least part of it. i thought
that"
A flush tinged her cheeks, and she
dropped her eyes.
What, Selma" / asked.
Nothing, except that we were TO
gether, and that / was happy"
She remem bered nothing. Her con
fessions of love were a secret with me
With them still ringing in my ears,
then repeated my tale Of devotion
knowing full well beforehand that sh'
loved me, though outwsrdly she nigh
seem indifferent. Home and Country