Omaha daily bee., 1912-06-02

rigid at her sides, her hand clinched, her
shoulders sunken-as hopeless a spectacle
for singing purposes as could be con-
ceived.
Don't be afraid of me-" suggested.
I'm afraid of everybody" she answered,
her pale cheeks flooded with sudden pink.
II have always been shy. When l get on
a street car and some one happens to look
at me suffer"
The lifeless effort at singing finished,
she took seat at the end of the long, fiat
topped desk. Mr.. Munter sat in his ac-
customed place at his desK. A distance Of
three feet separated them. Mr.. Munter sat
in an easy relaxed way in his office chair,
Miss Graham, in the same manner, sitting
opposite him.
"Tell them to be quiet outside" said the
hypnotist to his office boy. Cut off the
telephone connection. l want no inter
ruptions"
Three persons became still. The little Of
flee was on the instant an oasis of silence
in an ocean of noise. Mr.. Munter looked
into Miss Graham's eyes. Miss Graham
looked back into his. The room became so
silent that I could hear the deep, regular
breathing of each. No one stirred. 1t was
as though each Of the sitting figures had
fallen asleep, although their eyes were
open.
After eighteen minutes of what seemed
an interminable silence, Miss Grahams
long, black lashes rested quietly upon her
cheeks, The purplish eyelids that had
seemed to steadily grow heavier were at
last closed.
open the windows wide,' Mr.. Munter
called to the office boy waiting outside,
and currents of air from three directions
swept around us.
"Now breath deeply" he said to the
sleeping girl. With childlike readiness
she obeyed, packing her lungs with deep
draughts Of the cool air.
A music box was brought in. PATHS
record Of Home, Sweet Home" was placed
in 1t.
Stand and sing" At the low spoken
command the girl with the fast-closed eyes
rose. To the accompaniment of the music
box she burst into song. In her moments
of slumber, her voice had developed great
volume. Her tones were as big as PATHS,
as rich, as musical IS true and more youth
full fresher. The contrast between this
and her former timid rendition was as a
violin solo by master compared with the
tin pan drumming Of boy infesting a
kitchen.
She sang "The Rosary" with the same
accuracy and power. With dramatic sud.
denness she changed to the 81 Love Love"
solo from Naughty Marietta" perfectly fol
lowing the lead of the music box, dancing
with girlish abandon and In perfect rhythm
with the music. She sang an aria from
"Pagliacci' with the same perfect melody
in absolute accord with the Instrument,
and with appropriate and unschooled ges,
in, 4
ton, did the strange power seem to desert
her. Mr.. hunters attention was distracted
by noise in the hall.
81 told you to guard US against inter
ruptions," he called to the boy without.
His vexation seemed to be communicated
to his subject. She shrugged her shoulders,
turned angrily away, started toward the
door. He followed and placed his fingers
on her arm.
Its all right" he said "Come back and
sing"
She returned, and her voice rang out as
splendidly fresh and true as before. Once
she gasped and her head fell backward
Mr.. Munter supported her.
"Open the windows wider" he called to
the boy. Breathe Deep he said to his sub
ject.
She could have sung for four hours One
was enough for conviction that this was a
marvellous instance of the power Of sug-
gestion. l announced myself convinced
Wait" said Mr.. Munter. Let me show
you the oneness of subject and operator"
He struck his finger sharply against the
edge Of the table and exclaimed in PAIN
The girl sobbed piteously. He smiled and
walked toward her.
"It's all right" he said That was only
fun She laughed In immense relief.
Now" said he in calm, everyday tone,
wake up"
The lids quivered for an instant over the