The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-11-02

came TO rest, and perceived that it
was of the most ordinary description.
A shaft of pale light from the window
made plain the pattern OF n cheap in--
grain carpet on the floor; few pieces
Of furniture loomed up in dusky blots
against the walls. Below. i presently
distinguished a low droning of voices.
Where were my friends? What had
become of Elsie?
Still dreading surprises, l crept eau
tiously down stairway and through
several rooms. They were chill and
empty The merry company had van
ished; Of the great open fire before
which we had roasted nuts i could
find no trace, not even the ashes.
The murmur that had at first at
trncted my attention was, however.
still audible, and j now reached door
through the chinlls of which leaked
CLEANS Of light. This door | pushed
open; IL disclosed the parlor into which
we had first been ushered. On the
table light was burning, and near it
thank Heaven for that--was Elsie, scat
ed in low rocking chair. Her atti-
tude was dreamy, and her eyes we're
almost closed. Opposite her sat the
hypnotist, his look fixed. his right arm
extended: and ms / strode in L caught
the words:
"Remember-at the first clod."
The professor turned with start.
Elsie opened her eyes; they frightened
as they rested on me.
at must be very late" she murmured,
with little yawn. 81 can hardly keep
awake. You must take me home now,
John"
Runcstane was regarding me with
evident displeasure. "You have come
too soon," he said. "but novices are
never 10 be trusted; IL takes time TO
establish full rapport. And you have
had needless shock, but il doesn't
matter.
"Now go" he continued, rudely. Ills
manner was almost fierce. "Thc seance
Is brolsen; don't bother me with ques-
tions. Take her home, and thark fate
that you didn't push in moment
earlier"
! was furious, though powerless TO
contend. "Where are our friends"
cried "T demand an explanation"
eco at once" he repeated, with
menace in his tone. "Go! and keep out
OF my way hereafter, or IL may be the
worse for you"
Dismayed and pale, Elsie clung to my
arm. "Oh! take me home" she wh,s-
| percd.
He almost pushed us out. Soon we
were speeding down the road, but my
hands were so unsteady that i could
scarcely hold the rcins.
Elsie rested her glove upon my shoul-
der. and her cheek upon her glove:
bright tear drops trickled down my
| sleeve.
"Dear John" she sobbed. forgive me
Poor boy. how you tremble. II was
| awful. We ought never to have come
II was very. very wrong OF me 80 make
YOU. Forviyet me, John. Foeytve me
please. and don't love me any less.
cotsdn't bear To have you blame me-
ard her tears streamed nfresh. "Tn
afraid IL isn't for very long. anyway
sac said
I didn't grasp the full import OF he'
words then; I had reason To remember
them afterwards. | tried 10 comfort
her in lover fashion. but was still un'
nerycd aud all ajar. was bewildered
too. md felt Furr Of ro;hirr,
"Oa. i.lsic. what became OF the cor
pany?" I cried. What really hap
poned?"
John! Johnl there wasn't any com
panyl" she gaspcd. Don't you know
there wasn't? Not much OF anything
really happened, except that ne got hol'
Of you with that internal nIuence."
"And the grmes We played. and th
fellows be mcsmcrized. and the tricks
AMI the fire"
1t was nothing at all. We just 50