The courier. (Lincoln, Neb.) 1894-1903, 1899-09-16


ed I am helpless. All my lie I have
been in the power Of Nska Narayaus,
and rarely have I ever passed word
with any other human being. ! have
waited always to escape from this
slavery. but II ever chance presented
itself, my will was not my own, and I
could not take advantage Of 1t. My
story Is strange one, but I can tell 1t
to you 10 few words. I was born In
India. Who my parents were do not
know. but think my father was an
Englishman and my mother native
l have no other name than Vsieya that
l have ever heard. When child I fell
into the hands OF Naks Nsraysns, who
was even then an old man. and famed
for supernatural powers. From the
first he exercised the most absolute
control over my mind. He taught me
to read and write 10 several languages,
but allowed me no freedom, and CON-
PEELED me to undergo bis own rigid
regimen Of existence. When was
about fifteen he informed me that II was
in his power to keep me young for
very loog time. Age, he said, came
from the wasting away OF the physical
powers Of the human body by constant
use; this waste was inevitable 10 con-
scious moments. and for every dsy Of
consciousness q nights sleep was re.
quired to restore the lest energies; from
this he argued. tina; without conscious.
mesa. and hence, without this vital
waste, cave only at necessary intervals,
the individual would grow old almost
imperceptibly. and live indefinitely. 1t
was his purpose. he declared, to thus
preserve my youth. thereafter" he
said. "except for few hours at Q time.
your physical functions will be kept en-
tirely in allegiance. and your beauty will
thus be long in fading. l have expert
mented on myaelf, and Ihsve already
prolonged, my life beyond the eye Of
most men. BY this means l shall defy
death for perhaps another generation.
"All that he said do not remember.
I was in despair when ! realized that
my slavery was to be even more sbject
aud complete than 1t had been before.
and my soul revolt, d at tho plan be
contemplated. But was too thorough.
ly in his power to IN ke any resistance,
and from that day to this have been
most OF the time state 1t torpor or
trance. How many ears have gone by
do not know. Twice We have crossed
the seas, and given exhibitions on tho
stage such as We are giving now. Even
during the two or three hours each even.
ing when am awake, I am still under
his spell and the slave Of bic will. At
no time, not even now. when he bss left
me awake for the fret time 10 months
in order that l might repair q stage
costume that was torn last night. am /
free. physically, from his influence. I
have always wanted to escape from him;
but feel that l cannot escape alone--I
have not the strength; I should not
know how to elude him il I were awsy.
At times think I am going mad; and /
have appealed to you, % the only one
10 whose face have ever read sympathy,
to save and protect me-"
And l will do co." ! answered
earnestly, listen, Vaisya; though !
never saw you until, by chance, week
ago, have known and loved you always.
Years ago q picture came into my
possession picture OF girl-to
me the most beautiful girl IN oil the
world, and that girl hlb filed my dreams
nv dav and niSht kver sinca. Il vas