Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1895-07-19

as she swept forward in velvet and dia-
monds to meet her husband and his
guest.
A pale, composed looking man accom-
panied Mr.. Darl, and he did not seem
surprised by the elegance of his hostess
or flushed by the critical gaze of the
company.
After the introductions were made
and conversation became general, Mrs.
Darl slipped into tho hall and beckoned
to her husband, who Immediately joined
her Then she whispered in bis ear:
"lf-if-by any possibility he should
be able to hypnotize me, you win not let
HIM make me do anything ridiculous 2"
MY dear Loona, how can you i'm
agine such possibility But it you
have any fear'-
Fear !" echoed his wife scornfully
in stage whisper. "You will see that
he cannot make the slightest impression
on me" And she went back to the par
Tor aud found one of her guests climbing
the piano to escape an imaginary bear
that was pursuing him A few passes
and he was restored to his normal con-
dition, looking very foolish.
There were some amusing and some
perplexing exhibitions of the professors
power, then the company followed host
and hostess to the dining room. where q
generous spread awaited them Mrs.
Darl was rather silent. Hor test would
be the next one, and she watched the
wiry hands of the young professor as If
his secret lay in them. But they were
harmlessly busy with the sandwiches.
Ills face was quite noncommittal too.
What was the power he held of reducing
the will to n mere blank She would
soon know.
Back in the paror Mrs. Darl seated
herself under the brilliant chandelier.
Not there said the professor, but
she did not intend to yield to any COM
mand of his and said quietly;
81 prefer to sit here"
Then | cannot hypnotize you"
ooh, you acknowledge that it is only
under certain conditions that this great
power can be displayed ~
Certainly, there are conditions that
must be complied with am positive,
and you arc negative, but you are a
very difficult subject because you are
resisting me with oil your might"
Mrs Darl looked responsibility at her
husband and said in the dumb alphabet
of the married, "You have told him"
lle flashed back in the same language.
81 have not, and she moved in accord
ance with tho wish Of the professor and
sat with her back to tho light Some
Of the company were removed to remote
parts of the room, but few, including
Mr.. Darl, stood near.
"Look into my eyes, said tho pro-
fcssor. "Pcrmit me" And he took her
hands and pressed the thumbs gently
at is like being ia dentists chair, "
said Mrs. Darl, with little forced laugh.
Then she attempted to rise, struggling
slightly, but continued to look into the
eyes of the hypnotizor until in the place
Of two eyes she saw twenty. Then she
asserted her will and shook herself free.
"I-told--you-I--could--n ot--be---
bypnotizcd," she said Her voice sound
cd strange and far away GLOW queer
| feel Staring so long has made mo
dizzy"
Drink this" said Mr., Darl, giving
his wife glass of water.
She drank it. then rose to her feet
aud said she felt as we'll rs ever.
"Whorc is tho professor ?" she asked.
81 expect he has lost faith in his science"
Gle was here n moment ago." said
her cousin Fanny anxiously. "Hc
thought he had succeeded in hypnotiz-
ing you, Leona Were you not uncon-
scious 7"
mot for ono moment" said Mrs.
Darl triumphantly. "iIe held my
thumbs until they were numb--why -
where Med !"
"What is il, Leona p he asked in
surprise at her peculiar tone.
where are my diamonds 2"
There was startled exclamation from
every one present. Mrs. Darl stood
there beroft Of every jewel she possessed /.
Not single one of her gems which had
flashed on her fingers, at her throat, in
her ears, was now visible Dazed, she
held up her ringless hands and said
'ls this a joke? What does it mean
Where are my diamonds p
Where is the professor p
Search the house y
Send for the police y
But the professor had left for parts
unknown, and with him went Mrs.
Darrs diamonds, and neither the police
nor the Darls ever saw or heard Of them
or him again. But one thing was in his
favor. Not only had be successfully
bypnotized Mrs. Darl, but, as Mr.. Darl
admitted, he must have hypnotized the
whole company in order to bring his
hypnotic scheme 10 such a climax
And Mrs. Darl is at last a convert
to both the theory and practice Of the
occult science and firm believer In the
power Of the hypnotic will Mrs. NJ
Il. Rdyne IN Free Press.
While men have moro strength. wo.