The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1895-06-20
WILLED TO DEATH.

II have nothing more to do with mag
netism. -
"But why, why, doctor?" the pretty
pleaders persisted. "Put us to sleep
one Of us-you must, or tell us the rea-
son why"
"Well, so be it, said he at last, still
visibly reluctant. II will tell you why.
It may teach you lesson.
Eighteen months ago." he began,
Invent into the country to see friend.
We will call him Paul, if you please.
'chums. for long time the chances
of life had separated us, particularly his
marriage, which, for certain reasons,
had obliged him to locate for awhile
upon one of his properties, situated, as
I have said, in the depths Of the country.
But often and often my thoughts carried
me-a trihe enviously in the midst Of
my hard work-toward that forgotten
corner where his hours were passed in the
quiet routine and blfss of domestic life
"Nor was mistaken in the picture
my fancy had drawn. Peace, serenity,
repose, breathed from the very trees,
with their great moss covered trunks,
against which an old chateau leaned in
the mingled shade and shine of the sunny
Provence woods.
"Paul met me at the station. His
wife did not see till later-just before
dinner indeed-a beautiful woman, with
dark, brilliant eyes, which flashed when
not shielded by the long, curling lashes,
with the light Of Furnished steel. She
had superb figure and a complexion
the tint and texture Of old ivory, through
which was flowing vigorously the rich
red current Of healthy blood. Very,
| very beautiful she was; but, oddly
enough, as l looked at ~ I felt sense
of deception somewheis under that
fair exterior.
"Was it fancy? Or was this full. ro-
bust beauty but similar to too fervid
summer that forces the sap to rise so
fast that the fruit turns sour? I do not
know, only that this woman entered
with difficulty into the idyl had evoked
from the shadowy aisles Of these old
woods, that seemed always whispering
and murmuring to themselves.
"Her intense vitality seemed to shat
ter this setting Of peace and serenity.
Moreover, we were not alone; another
guest had arrived-a young man and a
close neighbor. From the moment of his
coming too-or did fancy that also?
Paul, my friend, seemed less gepial
The first joy in his eyes at my arrival
had calmed; saw him now in his ha-
bitual state, doubtless, little aged,
slightly constrained, with that vague,
nervous reserve of the distrustful hus-
band who in his inmost thoughts sus-
poets treachery.
II had no time, however, to ponder
long on these reflections. Old memories,
serious and gay, crowded thick and fast
upon us in the ease and comfort Of that
we'll ordered dining room, looking out
upon the lawn, the soft melancholy Of
the coming twilight slowly enwrapping
us and carrying hearts and minds both
far back into the past.
DINNER was nearly over when q
chance word or question turned the con.
versat tion upon a subject no less absorb.
, ing then than now, ladies''-and the
doctor bowed courteously to the circle OF
eager listeners closely clustered about
him-"turned, say, upon the subject
of hypnotism and hypnotic suggestion.
"My friend, from the first discoveries
had watched the advance of these stud
les with the iveliest interest, and many
and frequent had been the discussions be-
tween himself and his wife concerning
them, she denying the phenomena aris
ing from these experiments and stub
bornly pronouncing them humbug and
strange things could and did happen, al
he knew from his own experience Ger
tain evening in Paris, when he had Of
fered himself as subject as incredu
lous as she, and had been put to sleeI
promptly and made to accomplish in hi
. sleep things of which they told him aft
erward.
"'Bahl They duped your insisted
his wife. Doctor, suddenly appealing
to me, help me to get this rubbish ou
of his head or Paul will certainly g
crazy
Forced to take sides, was obliged
to admit that myself was deeply inter
ested in these matters, and had witnessed
things that did not dare to doubt. Sh'
was still obstinate, still mocking. Sh'
. would believe what she saw-no more
no less.
"'If Paul is subject, as he declares,
I said she, the thing, too, is easy enough
, Convince me-you have done sucl
things, you say-by trying it here ant
) now.
Paul was willing. / looked intentl.
at him. His eyes wavered curiousl.
away from my gaze. He was marvel
ous subject and fell Immediately unde
my will
. 1--WE passed into the drawing room
placed him in o chair, and had no