Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1905-03-20

dith Stokes OF few days back. For my
| part, | stood in awe Of those terrible
eyes, and she grew as proud and haugh-
! ty rs a duchess
For two years we travelled the coun-
try pretty comfortably together. and dur
ing all that time Judith scarcely ever
made a failure In the meantime, old
Stokes was growing disconnected he
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. by and by he used to disap-
pear regularly every Sunday for tho
whole day. At last l discovered his Sc
cret. lie would 90 few miles away
from the town where we we're 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 1t 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
ticpated sooner than | counted upon.
I'VE were exhibiting at Spalding one
night to 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 mps-
meric sleep-two or three swells stroled
into the front seats. They were highly
amused at the manner In which the fell
| low seemed compelled to answer all kinds
of absurd questions; evidently regarding
the whole thing, however, as a sell. As
soon as the yoke was dismissed, one
| of the party. in spite OF the reruon-
strances of his companions. rose from his
scat, and bounding upon the platform.
expressed a wish to be mesmerized. The
event caused great commotion in the
room. as 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 wiled
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 us.
II cannot mesmerize you, but | can
your friend there said Judith. point
ing to the dark eyed, weak looking young
man who had accompanied him.
He objected; but his companion cried
ont. But you shall. Jack No, hang it!
fair play for Zenobia. We have called
her an impostor, and we will give her a
chance
He jumped down off the platform.
and whispered to jack as he called
him. but not in so low tone but what
| could catch the words, Go up-don't
be a fool: she can no more crize
you than she can me. 1t is only a 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
roarously.
Judith, who always had the temper
! % fiend. was boiling with passion at
the ridicule 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 strong light was shining. She
cast one disdainful glance round the
room, which had :he effect of partly sub
DUNG the uproar, and set herself to her
task
"In two minutes he was as rigid az a
cornse and NJ helnIess M n cbild Tho
exnression of her eyes was something
fearful. the whole audience INCLUDING
e,en his companions were busbad ;,,to
silence. even | shuddered IA looLed at
her She used her mower merc;lasslv
asking him ouestions OF the most socrad
noture to al Of which no renl;ed und;.-
puisedlv The moment her eves wore
off him the Young fellow fell dawn in
strony convulsions
"There was an awful CONSERVATION in
the room peonle rushed unon tho nlot.
form n tender their assistance Jud;th
stood aloof leaning unon tho n;,no
chatting malrnantlv over bar work
Wall nc soon ms be recovered tbev nut
him into cab md sent him home ona If
hi, com,,nions accomnanv;ny Ert tho
CHALLENGER who had caused tho commo-
ton rem,inad hehind until all tho moo.
In v.oro disnersnd and tb.n w,il, od
h[r,o 70 our boteI with ~ lie nor only.
nonro..od thot no blame could no ,tt,rh-
oil ~ rho vounr lady for wh,t had 40.
a,,rrod ,ut vnrv b,nds,u.Iv anoIo,.i,od
e''n h;s r,,1.r,.. in douht;r, hnr ,on,or
"IJe como into our nrivnte room ord
sunnad with MS. lie WINS rnmorAnl,Iv