The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1898-05-22

seemingly snatched from the grasp Of
the all-destroying Time, had passed
away leaving nothing either of beauty
or form except the hair and Jewels
None of those watching had actually
seen how the catastrophe had occurred.
| Several, but a minute ago, had, no
doubt through the overstraining of the
mental and visual organs, fancied that
they saw the long eyelashes tremble
and the chest heave-once. Those who
had seen nothing laughed to scorn
those who had seen or fancied these
things.
Amongst the ones who scorned was
Doctor Gerard.
Grant, when he had recovered from
the semi-hypnotic state in which he
| had been, expressed scarcely any sur
prise at what had happened. He after
ward gave his experiences.
1t appeared that when he became
partially unconscious OF his surround
ings, he beheld similar visionary tab
leaux as on previous occasion, only
that when he strove to grasp the Egyp-
tian maiden, she suddenly became in
tangible; and then he felt his fingers
grasp her hand for a moment. to feel
one throb of her pulses ere his touch
met over nothing.
For more than an hour the witnesses
Of this marvellous phenomenon stayed
discussing the phenomenon, and ad.
vancing various theses in explanation.
OF course, the end of the experiment
was disappointing. Every one admit
ted that. And though very few ex-
pected Grant would be able to de-hyp-
notice. or restore animation in his SUBJ
ject. none had foreseen the complete
humiliation of the beautiful body,
which most had regarded merely in the
light of marvellous example of the
embalmer's preventative art.
Grant own theory of explanation.
which he has been heard frequently to
state, Is simple one. Namely, that he
did actually de-hypnotize Taosiri for
an instant, and that 1t was then the
destructive forces, which had been
held in check for so many centuries,
had done their work, irreparably, COM
pletely.
Who knows but that the advance
mert OF knowledge may one day clear
up the mystery?
Grant, who was the last to leave,
drove straight to the Vallances', where
he found Ethel anxiously awaiting his
coming.
He told her everything, and she
laughed at the thought of the inf1u-
ence he had feared. In her society he
forgot his depression of the last few
days, and thoughts of the living soon
served to drive away remembrances Of
the dead.
For some weeks after the failure of
Evan Grants attempts to de-hypnotize
the Egyptian girl, his theories concern
Ing her were the chief topic for discus
sion in scientific, medical and literary
circles, society. the newspapers and
the clubs. One leading magazine
strongly supported his view of the case.
Opinions waxed warm and then
waned. as such things will; and the in
terest of the subject was at least for
time. soon eclipsed by the marriage
of the popular young literary scientist
with Ethel Valance, which event took
place at the end Of the season with all
the eclat of smart society wedding.
AS for Evan Grant himself, he has
now a worldwide reputation, a charm
ing wife, and D. Sc. Degree honoris
causa Often, when referring to the
events of the past, he smilingly says,
Il don't think now that I shall live to
solve the mystery of hypnotism, but
others may. The mystery surrounding
Taosiri may yet be unraveled; the
years are surely gathering the threads
together"
The ashes Of Taosiri herself repose at
South Kensington in an ancient ciner-
airy urn. one brought by Mr.. Valance
years ago from Italy.
But on table in the discoveries
library. stands a small, gilt, glass-lid-
ded box, and in 1t. resting upon lin
Ing of dark crimson quilted satin, are
two long plaits Of black hair, some
quaint articles of jewelry and the dag
ger.
The oblong box and it's strange con-
tents seldom fail to arouse the curios-
ity of visitors, and their history is Of
ten graphically retold. And during the
narration the priceless papyrus-des-
tined one day to repose in the British
Museum-and Doctor Gerard's wonder
full Interpretation of it, are taken from
the bookcase for inspection.
THE! END