The record-union., 1894-03-17

twisted about my wrist. Withouta word
he touched the key OF the instrument.
The wheels began to revolve, faster,
faster, until became fascinated with the
brilliant play of the rich, iridescent color.
| felt as perhaps a helpless bird might
when charmed by the gleam of snakes
eye. The silver wires glittered brighter
and brighter, until at length they dazzled
me, and their flashes seemed like Keen
needles thrusting themselves into my
flesh. Then great faintness came over
me- and / felt as if the last few drops of
blood were being slowly Sapped from my
veins. The room circled and Whirled IN
mad dance, while all about me IN Wild
confusion glowed and coruscated the
rainbow colors. Amidst all this could
see the sparkling of the silver wires, and
every brilliant ray from them was
dagger stabbing at my heart. linen L
heard roaring like the falling of mighty
waters, and afterward L fell into uncon-
sciousneSs.
Two days passed which are as a blank
to me, and it is due to Mrs. Ross' unre-
mitting attention during this time, so
am Informed, that owe my life. On the
third day l woke from what seemed a
long and refreshing sleep. fully conscious,
yet with very vague idea as TO what had
happened. L found myself in my bed
room in Dr. Sulzberg's house, and seated
by the bedside was prominent physician
of the city, Dr.. Harlow, with whom l was
slightly acquainted.
AS my eyes met his he remarked, "You
feel p
Il am comfortable" l replied. "but SO
weak - l feel like the ghost of my
self What has happened to me?'
Try to think" said the physician.
"What is the last thing you can remem-
ber ?''
Suddenly, like the memory Of horrible
dream, the experience in the laboratory
came To me.
''Yes, yes" I cried, as l grasped his
hand, 81 remember; tell me the rest"
II think you are hardly in a condition
for any prolonged conversations
said the physician, ''and lengthy talk
will be necessary before we thoroughly
understand each other"
l assured the doctor that suspense
would be more intolerable to me than
any conversation could possibly be.
And where is DR.. Sulzberg?" l asked.
for had a premonition that all was not
well with him.
You must prepare yourself for some
painful news in relation to Snlzberg,"
said the doctor. "But before referring to
that at length I want TO say few words
10 you, and to ask you some questions"
Relieved that the physician had de-
cided not to prolong my suspense, L
signified that l was all attention.
The night you were taken SICK" said
he, Mrs. Ross and her husband were in
this sitting-room, which, as you know,
is directly beneath the laboratory.
Suddenly there was a disturbance in
the room above, and Immediately after
they heard SulZberg's voice raised as if
in violent remonstrance. Alarmed, they
FASTENED to the room. where they found
the greatest confusion prevailed. You
were lying on the floor unconscious in
the midst Of a wreck of glass and wire.
Sulzberg was in a deplorable condition,
having suddenly become demented. One
of my colleagues andimysef were i'm
mediately summoned, and we have
thought it best to have him removed to
private asylum. His mania takes the
form of excessive sorrow and lamenta-
tions over an injury TO some scientific
instrument. He appears to be the vic
tim of some terrible shock. You, also,
my friend, show symptoms ofhaving been
subjected to severe mental strain. |
am most anxious to ascertain what could
have occurred to throw you both into
this serious condition. Do not excite your
sells; peak calmly, and if possible explain
the matter"
The hopeless misfortune which had
overtaken SulZberg seemed to leave me
the responsibility of revealing his secret.
In as few words as possible [ gave Doctor
Harlow an account of all Sulzberg had told
me. as well as of all that had occurred,
from the time he had mentioned his
secret toIthe moment I had lost conscious
ness. Instead OF the look of amazemont
with which 1 expected the story to be
greeted, saw on Doctor Harlow's face
smile, in which detected something of
pity.
II think you are laboring under de-
lusion,p said he calmly.
"a delusion ~ | exclaimed, "Do you
doubt that l saw what have described ?"
Listen to my explanation. then exer-