The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1895-08-10

ence.
The neighbors and relatives came, 6
merry company, and the time passed il
an animated discussion upon the power o.
hypnotism, one friend going so far in re-
search as to visit the library and look VI
that wonderful story, the "House OF Seven
Cables" and read aloud to attentive listen
ers a passage from the weird history Of
Alice Pyncheon:
"He spoke, and Alice responded with a
soft, subdued inward acquiescence and q
bending of her form toward him, like the
flame of torch when it indicates gentle
draft of air. He beckoned with his
hand, and rising from her chair the proud
Alice approached him. He waved heI
back. and retreating Alice sunk again into
her seat.
She is NINE said Matthew Maule.
Mine by the right of the strongest
spirit.
ooh, that was mesmerism,' said Mrs.
Darl as the reading ceased.
"And what is mesmerism 2" asked one
of the company. 81 think that is as I'M
explainable as hypnotism, if it is not the
same thing. Oh, here they are now
Let us hold on to our chairs, OF we may be
spirited away to China. I, for one, am
afraid"
81 am not" said the queenly hostess,
as she swept forward in velvet and
diamonds to meet her husband and his
guest.
A pale composed looking man ac-
companied Mr.. Darl, and he did not seem
surprised by the elegance of his hostess
or flushed by the critical gaze Of the COM
pany.
After the introductions were made and
conversation became general, Mrs. Darl
slipped into the hall and beckoned to her
husband, who Immediately joined her.
Then she whispered in his ear:
"If--if-by any possibility he should
be able to hypnotic me, you will no,
let him make me do anything ridicu
lous 2"
"My dear Leona, how can you imagine
such possibility? But il you have any
FEAR
Fear ~ echoed his wife scorniully il
stage whisper. "You will see that III
cannot make the slightest impression OF
me-" And she went back to the parlo
, and found one Of her guests climbing thu
piano to escape an imaginary bear thai
was pursuing him. A few passes and III
was restored to his normal condition, look
ing very foolish. There were some anus
ing and some perplexing exhibitions o
the professors power, then the company
followed host and hostess to the dinin!
room, where generous spread awaited
them Mrs. Darl was silent. Her ties
Z would be the next one, and she watched
r the why hands OF the young professor a
, il his secret lay in them. But they wer
, harmlessly busy with the sandwiches
His face was quite non-committal, too
, What was the power he held Of reducing
5 the will to q mere blank? She would
: soon know.
Back in the paIlor Mrs. Darl seated her
) self under the brilliant chandelier.
"Not there - said the professor, but sh,
did not intend to yield to any command o
his and said quietly:
81 prefer to sit here"
"Then cannot hypnotize.'
''Oh, you acknowledge that it is only
under certain conditions that this grea,
power can be displayed ?'
Certainly; there are conditions thai
must be complied with l am positive
and you are negative, but you are very
hard subject, because You are resisting mt
with all your might"
Mrs. Darl looked reproachfully at hel
husband and said in the dumb alphabet Of
the married, "You have told him."
He flashed back in the same language
81 have not and she moved in accord
ance with the wish of the professor and
SIT WITH lItI bdCh " INC isht. ooihe VI
the company were removed to remote parts
of the room, but few, including Mr.
Darl, stood near.
"Look into my eyes" said the professor
ape nit me-" And he took her hands
and pressed the thumbs gently.
ct is like being in dentists chair, .
said Mrs. Darl, with little forced laugh
Then she attempted to rise, struggln.
slightly, but continued to look into the
eyes of the hypuotizer until in the pac,
of two eyes she saw twenty. Then SHE
asserted her will and shook herself free.
a. told -you- L could l. not be
hypnotized," she said, her voice sound
) ing strange and far away. ''How queel
, l feel Staring SO long has made mt
dizzy"
Drink this, said Mr.. Darl, giving hi
/, wife glass of water.
She drank it, then rose to her feet ant
s said she felt as well as ever.
"Where is the professor ?" she asked
2 81 expect he has lost faith in his science
\ Gle was here moment ago." said he
S Cousin Fanny anxiously. ''He though