The Grit-advocate., 1903-10-30

NN Yes, Adiutant. l do.
v I want you to give
our guests here lit
tie exhibition of hypnotism; will you:"
why. how did you know | could:'
asked the soldier.
''Ah, catch me not knowing what YOU
young dandics in the regiment are up
to-" And the Major laughed, looked
very knowing. and gave Cummings Il
playful tap on the shoulder.
but, Major. if / gave it here,
should monopolizc---''
Tut, tut, young man. No apologies
It's all right, and the girls will be de-
lighted. Come
= Cummings smiled, then consented
though with evident reluctance.
While Major Onderdork was inform
ing his guests that Adiutant Cummings
would favor them with Il little enter
tainment, Cummings looked about the
salon in quest of Il suitable subject.
His eye fel! upon young man near
him. After the quick breath of de-
lighted applause which the Majors an
nCuncement had elected had subsidized
Cummings. in low but clear voice.
told the company that at their hosts
urgent request he would show them
a few effects of the hypnotic influence.
provided he could obtain one or more
persons as subjects. Here he looked at
the young man he had already chosen.
who, after a moments hesitation.
arose, bowed. and declared that he
weuld allow Mr.. Cummings to try him.
but he feared he should prove mim
questionable. Then two or three others
offered themselves. whereupOn Cum
mings briefly thanked them all. but
signified his choice of the first volun
teer. 1t is not necessary to enter into
the details of what followed. Suffice
it to say that the Adjutant, dashing,
handsome and popular. proved himself
perfect master of his art. and held
the Majors guests entranccd for over
two hours. He Influenced his subject
SO thoroughly, despite the unbelief the
latter had expressed that the company
was at times hushed into positive awe.
At the close of the evening Cum
mings sought the Major and asked
whether he had satisfied him.
Perfectly, my dear fellow. per
fectlyw
WHO is the young fellow l hypno-
tized?"
THAT? Why, to be Surc-that IS
Hargrove-Robert Hargrovc-fine frl-
low, and first assistant cashier for the
great L Trust Company. on Beaver
street"
A little later, the company broke
up.
The son of wealthy but eccentric
father, Stanton Cummings had chosen
to enter military life. In consequence.
his enraged and disappointed parent
had cut him off with dollar. Amid
circumscribed Surroundings. on Il lin
tied salary. the disinhcrited man saved
nothing. and spent more than he
earned. Naturally, after few years.
he was largely in debt. but how he was
to meet his obligations, ever growing,
never troubled him.
Recently, however, his superior Off
Ger had hinted at the possibility of his
dismissal from the army if he did not
pay his debts At the present time.
therefore. his mind was greatly per-
picked.
AS succeeding days went by. Cum
mings was frequently seen in and
about the offices of the l. Trust
Company.
"Strangc how that quiet lIargrove
has frozen to that military chap re-
marked one acquaintance at the club
to another
One morning the dailies announced
the startling news that the L. Trust
Company had been robbed i'll broad
daylight of fifty thousand dollars! No
one could understand how the robbery
+ had been so successfully perpetrated.
But that the strong steel doors had
been passed. the cashiers private vault
entered, and the money taken, was GER
tain. No clue to the thief could be
discovered. and the police were con
fronted with a mystery.
IT'S not the amount remarked
Cummings among his messmates, but
the way the thing was done that
startles."
You know Hargrove, don't you:"
asked a brother officer.
Cummings regarded his QucStiOncr
with quick, inquirine glance.
/, Il do" replied he. What Of him:''
- ooh, nothing, only the Trust Com
pany, hear, are inclined TO blame him
somewhat in the matter
i. ''In what way?'
mot in any particular wa-. But