The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-06-05
THE MARK OF CAIN.

We were seated In the lobby of little
southern hotel some two years ago discuss.
ing, as travellers arc prone to do, very
wide range Of topics. The conversation
gradually drifted into the question of hyp-
notism OF the various influences Of ono
mind over another.
Each one present In the circle had casu-
ally expressed his opinion upon this SUBJ
jeot except a handsome travelling salesman,
probably IS years old, who was Familiarity
known as Whitley Saunders" This name
was given him owing to the fact that his
splendid head Of hair was prematurely and
absolutely white
During a slight lull in the talk Saun-
ders, who had evidently been drinking,
yet was still cognizant Of all that was being
said, Strengthened himself up in his chair
and without any ceremony launched into
the following strange story, which 1 shall
endeavor to repeat as nearly as possible,
word for word:
have heard several of you men say,
he commenced, that you did not believe in
hypnotism, mesmerism, telepathy or any
thing of the kind. Well, you are not COM
PEELED to do SO, but let mo tell you story
and show you that you know nothing
about what you are discussing.
There lived in small town In New
York state some years ago two brothers
with five years difference in their ages.
They were sworn enemies, owing to some
difficulty in the adjustment of property
which had been left them.
The Older of the two men was widow
er, and the loss of his young wife, togeth-
or with his unnatural hatred for his broth
er, had soured him on life and almost
made recluse of him. He had, however,
one companion, an Italian by BIRTH who
had formerly loved the girl which his
friend had married. These two were con-
stantly together
The younger brother was accounted q
good fellow generally-that is, he spent
and wasted his money, and had scores Of
pleasant weather friends.
In the same village lived an old physi-
clan, Dr. Gray by name, who, in addition
to having been the family physician of
both the brothers, was man of noble
parts, learned far beyond his time, and
skilled in sciences and arts which are yet
in their infancy. He was profound stu
dent of the doctrines as laid down by Mes
mer and others, but held any such abili-
ties in this direction that he had acquired
as sacred as the professional confidence of
his patients
DIR. Gray had long tried to patch up the
differences between the two young men,
whom he regarded almost as sons. His
efforts met with little encouragement from
the elder, although the younger brother
expressed himself as perfectly willing to
meet the other half way
Thus matters stood when the village in
which they lived was shaken to its foun-
dations one morning when the people
awoke to learn that the older brother had
during the night been foully murdered in
his bed. The alarm was first given by tho
murdered mans valet, and the police were
notified by his italian friend 9laya
Suspicion pointed but one way-the
man was murdered by his brother, the mo-
tive being revenge.
Tho younger brother was arrested.
When found, he was In dazed condition
and exhibited every evidence of guilt.
He was imprisoned and eventually
brought to trial. The evidence was con-
elusive; not link was missing. He was
convicted, and after being sentenced to
hang was taken back to prison.
During the progress of the trial the
prisoner could not be induced to speak n
single word. Absolute silence was tho
only response received to all of DR.. Grays
kind offers of assistance.
After the young mans sentence had
been pronounced, his brothers. former
friend, Glava, announced his departure for
London for an indefinite stay.
Now, strange thing happened just
previous to Glaya's departure. He called
at the prison where the young murderer
was confined and Was permitted to enter
his cell. He remained but few minutes.
Then left the jail and was no more seen
In the town.
Glava had no sooner gone than the
prisoner commenced q great screaming
and shouting to tho guard "Stop that
man, stop that manl' he yelled.
They were the first words that crossed
his lips in days, but his commands were
not needed.
Gradually his yells subsidized.
When next the guard appeared at the
prisoners cell, ho was mat with the re-
4ueep bHaU 1T. oriLy pe SenG IOF.
This request was granted, and not
long after the physician responded.
DR.. Gray found the prisoner in on en-
tirely changed condition. His seal of ST.
lence was broken. He seemed perfectly
rational, but could not understand his i'm
prisonment.
He could get no answers to his ques-
lions from the guards, and in his extrem-
lty, he explained, had sent for his old |
friend, who, he felt sure, could help him.
Upon close observation DR.. Gray no.
ticed that the young man S face was death
y pale, and there was an anxious haunted
air about him which BODIED Ill for the con
lition Of his mind.
The prisoner told Dr. Gray that he had
had frightful dream, and that he had
been awakened within few hours from
ieep sleep to find himself in prison cell
md gazing into the horrible depths Of
3lava's coal black eyes
The shock was awful.
II dreamt," he continued, "that last
light, when I had gone to my home and
etired to my bed, Glaya appeared at my
,edside.
"Hc babe me rise and dress, at the
amo time fixing upon me the most diabol-
cal look that ever saw. Without know
ng why, obeyed his orders.
IA ~