The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-10-30

you, sir. II is great pleasure to NEE
| you--though 1 perceive that you are
something of a skeptic."
II don't deny facts" i answered
shortly.
"As well deny them as defy them"
81 don't acknowledge any debt to
hypnotisn, and / don't propose to be
hypnotized, If that is what you mean,
j retorted.
"You don't!" There was o momentary
sneer, but he went on. smoothly: "Well,
there's no cause for uncnsiness. No
one can hypnotize you against your
will, of course. It's a pity, though,
that you have chosen such an attitude,
for nature has made you most re-
sponsive subject. And you have n vivid
imagination. That Is something the
hypnotist cannot supply. He can only
suggest and set the imagination at
work. But yours is so active that you
fairly stand in dread of it. When you
were n child you hardly closed your
eyes, because your fancy instantly peo-
pied the darkness with its unwelcome
creations"
That was true; but how did he know
It? felt a sudden terror Of the man,
and evidently he perceived it.
"Sit down." he said. "You are nerv.
ously overwronght.v
sank into chair, for sort of giddi.
ness had come upon me.
THAT will quickly pass" he said.
"Your nerves have for some time been
under excessive tension, though you did
not realize it,"
His manner had changed; there was
really some fascination about the fell
low, though still distrusted him.
Don't you see that there is nothing
very bad about me? lama hypnotist,
II is true, but am not seeking to hyp-
notize you. Tonight, at all events, that
is no part of my progmmme. But / ex-
pected you, and have prepared little
surprise-you shall be a mere specta-
tor, if you choose"
He stood towering over me; his
stature was really extraordinary. His
eyes no longer wandered, but cleaned
Win steeiy giltter.
"You had better taste this wine," he
said. "You are a little faint"
"No!" j protested, confusedly, for /
feared il might be drugged.
He drank it oil himself. "It is harm
less. you see."
He laid his hand on my head and
stroked il. The dizziness was soon re-
lieved. / felt stronger, and my mind
grew clearer.
AT least" he said, "you will taste
this fruit,-both of YOU"
was ashamed to refuse, and took on
orange-as did Elsie, with queer lit
tie laugh.
us il good?" she asked.
"No," answered, and laid il down.
She laughed again.
i rubbed my eyes. "What have you
done with yours?" / demanded
"She dropped it on the floor" re-
sponded the professor quickly, picking |
II up. Never mind the oranges; they |
are not good, as you say. have some
thing better TO offer. It's Halloween,
you remember. When Miss Elsie was |
here before she came with number Of
friends"
He looked at me fixehsy.
Yes | responded, 80 she told me-"
81 really very much desire your good
opinion" he c6htinued. There is no |
reason why you should not trust me.
Look mo full i'm tho face as you would |
any other man. You see nothing there
that bodies you ill.,"
Ills look was quiet pnd commanding;
there was no tTs,cc ol'charlatanry in lis
manner now. 1 felt no distrust, and
told him so.
u foresaw TINT you would find il
much pleasantcr." he said. "and that
our experiments would be much more
convincing II there were present
humber OF witnesses in whom you had
confidence. / have invited several OF
your friends TO Join US. and IL has been
suggested that. we make the occasion
sort of Halloween celebration. They
have been waiting while we talked, and
wonder that they were able TO re-
strain themselves SO long"