The Dakota chief. (Gann Valley, Buffalo County, S.D.) 18??-1913, 1895-07-18

G<s4ss..E rassment that caus-
ed his unwilling
ness.
81 have given it up. ladies' said he:
81 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. Il will tell YOU why:
1t may teach you a lesson.
Eighteen months ago" he began, Il
went into the country to see a friend
we will call him Paul if you please.
Though old comrades and devoted
'chums,' for a long time the chances of
life had separated us, particularly his
marriage. which. for certain reasons.
had obliged him to locate for a while
upon one of his properties. situated. as
l have said, in the depths Of the cOun-
try. But often and often my thoughts
carried me-a trifie enviously. in the
midst of my hard work-toward that
III SotttH " llcI. W lHtIt LIS IoulS were
passed in the quiet routine and bliss
of a domestic life.
"Nor was mistaken in the picture
my fancy had drawn; 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 M at the station. His wife
l did not see till later-just before din
ner, 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 a superb figure and Il complex
ion the tint and texture of old ivory.
through which was flowing vigorously
the rich red current Of n healthy blood.
Very, very beautiful she was, but, odd
ly enough, as | looked at her | felt a
sense of deception somewhere under
that fair exterior.
'Was it fancy? Or was this full. ro-
bust beauty but similar TO a too-fervid
summer that forces the SAP to rise so
fast that the fruit turns sour? | do not
know, only that this woman entered
with difficulty into the idyl | had evok-
ed from the shadowy aisles of these old
woods. that seemed always Whispering
and murmuring To themselves.
Her intense vitality seemed 10 shat
ter this setting of peace ana serenity.
Moreover. we We're no alone: another
guest had arrivcd-a Young man and Il
close neighbor. From the moment of
his coming. 1OO-Or did | fancy that,
also?-Paul. my friend. seemed less
genial. The first joy in his eyes at my
arrival had calmcd: | saw him now in
his habitual state. doubtless. Il little
aged. slightly constrained. with that
vague. nervous reserve of the distrust-
full husband who in his inmoSt thoughts
suspects t~reachcry.
Il 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 thar
Wcll-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 a
chance word or que hrA turned the
conversation upon Il subject no less
absorbing then than now. ladies"-and
the doctor bowed c%ourteously to the
circle of eager listeners closely clus-
tered about him-''turned, | say. uDon
tn" subject of hypnotism and hypnotic
suggestion.
MY friend. from the first discover
les, had watched the advance of these
studies with the liveliest interest, and
many and frequent had been the dis
cussions between himself and his wife
concerning them, she denying the phe-
| nOmpna ariSinr from ithaca axnor,r,o-.