The Yakima herald. [volume] (North Yakima, W.T. [Wash.]) 1889-1914, 1905-03-15

CikuOtu LcHODta tno thBkeu, unScniy Ju-
dith Stokes Of few days back. For my
part. ] stood in awe Of those terrible
eyes. and she grew as proud and haugh-
ty as a duchess.
For two years we Travelled the conn
try pretty comfortably together, and dur
ing all TINT time Judith scarcely ever
made a failure. In the meantime. old
Stokes was growing discontented--hs
considered that he was too much kept
in the background. The strangest thing
Of all was that he took to religious
books. and to attending the meeting
houses. I;y and by he used to disap-
pear regularly every Sunday for the
whole day. At last I discovered his Sc
cret. lie would go a few miles away
from the town where we were exhibit
ing, and do little open-air preaching
to the rustics. Things were becoming
very unsatisfactory; even the girl seem
ed getting weary Of her work. and | was
beginning to think that it would be bet
tel to turn the whole affair up and start
something else, than to put up with the
airs Of people whom had picked out
Of the gutter. when my thought was an
ticipa ted sooner than counted upon.
night to a very bad house. and just as
Judith was in the middle Of her perform
ance-a young fellow was upon the pat
form. answering questions In the mes
meric sleep-two or three swells strolled
into the front seats. They were highly
amused at the manner In which the fel-
low seemed compelled to answer all kinds
Of absurd questions: evidently regarding
the whole thing. however, as q sell. As
soon as the yokel was dismissed, one
Of the party. In spite OF the remon-
strances Of his companions, rose from his
seat. and bounding upon the platform.
expressed wish to he mesmerized. The
event caused great commotion in the
room. az he and his companions were
known to he gentlemen Of position. At
the first glance Judith could perceive
that he was one Of those strong willed
beings over whom she could exercise no
influence. She declined. He insisted
and declared the whole thing was a
swinde The people began to hiss, not
him. but MS.
Il cannot mesmerize you. but l can
your friend there said Judith point
ing to the dark-eyed. weak looking young
man who had accompanied him.
"Iie objected: but his companion cried
out, But You shall, Jack. No. hang it.
fair play for Zenobia! We have called
her an impostor, and we will give her a
chance
"IIe jumped down off the platform,
and whispered to Jack az he called
him. but not in 30 low a tone but what
! could catch the words. Go up-ion't
he fool: she can no more mesmc rize
you than she can me. 1t is only put
off, thinking the challenge won't be ac-
cepted.'
Very reluctantly the young man
mounted the platform and took the chair
indicated by Zenobia, very much to the
delight of his friends. who clapped their
hands, shouted Bravo" and laughed up
ro8riously.
Judith. who always had the temper
o' fiend. was boiling with passion at
the ridcule cast upon her; but her rage
was manifested by no word or sign. only
by her livid face. and by those awful
eyes. that looked for all the world like
some brilliant metallic surface, upon
which n strong light was shining. She
cast one disdainful glance round the
room. which had the effect Of partly sub
DUNG the uproar and set herself to her
task.
an two minutes he was as rigid az
corpse and as helpless as child The
expression of her eyes was something
fearful the whole audience. including
even his companions were hushed iito
silence; even shuddered as | looked at
her. She used her power mercilessiy,
asking him questions OF the most sncred
nature to all OF which he replied undis-
guiselly The moment her eyes were
off him. the young fellow fell down I'm
strong commissions.
There was mn awful CONSERVATION i'm
the room. People rushed upon the plat
form to tender their assistance Judith
stood aloof. leaning upon the pnno.
gloating Indignantly over her work.
Well ms soon as he recovered they put
him into a cab and sent him home. one Of
his companions accompanying. But the
challenger who had caused the commo-
ton. remained behind until all the peo-
pie were dispersed. and then walked
home to our hotel with us. He not only
confessed that no blame could he attach
ed to the young lady for what had oc-
CURED hut very handsomely apolocihed
for his rudeness III douhting her power.
lie came into our private room md
supped with MS. He was remarkably
cuI ions about mesmerisIn. and asked us
an infnity OF questions concerning its
powers aud effects. Ii struck me that
he had some motive underneath these in
terrogations beyond mere idle curiosity,
for he seemed to ponder over our an
swers and reyolve them in his mind.
well. OF course the sensation in the
town was something marvellous. For
week we turned crowds away from the
doors nightly. Strange to say, the Young
man VITO had caused the sensation came
every night. AMI persisted in desiring
to be again nesmerized. although he
still looked shaken and pale from the eff
fects of the first experiment. This, how
ever, | would not permit. Judith seemed
to have acquired some strange fasci
nation over him; he followed her like
n shadow. But she would scarcely deign
to look upon him. She seemed always to
feel great contempt for those who were
ameuable to the mesmeric influence. To
our other friend. her behavior was very
different. He came pretty Often TO the
hotel, and l frequently found them in