Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1917-10-14
6m Ea Es "a Ra Ea Esa Ea "a Ea El ha Mf6 SIT WAS so SUDDENsss = .
By ELLIOTT FLOWER.
A "a Ea Ea fsa na Ega Ea Hsa "a "a W

II came to her as an lnSplratlOn. He had taken seat at distance of about six feet from her. as was his in- variable custom when he called. and his innate bashfulncsS and dif!idence had made his conversation just about as uninteresting as usual. Are you at all interested in the subject of hypnOt ism?" she asked
 'No," he replied. "I never have given 1t thought
 "But you should" she said.
 "'But don't know how to try it," he returned respectfully.
 'Oh, can show you that" she said. "You take something bright--a piece of silver or anything like that-and hold it directly in front of the subjects eyes. Then you tell him to concen- trate his gaze and thought on that bright object. while you concentrate your thoughts on subiugating his will to yours. I'm sure a man of your force of character and intensity of purpose would soon be in complete control of the subject. You might try it with me and see Ii you understand.
 Of course he was quite ready iu make an experiment. Slowly he With drew the silver piece. but she made nc motion to indicate that she was COT scious of any change.
 Martha !'' he said in some alarm.
 She went to him without word.
 "Sit down beside me-" he said "op's give me your hand.
 'Rest your head on my shoulder. ioa commanded
 "Talk about rapture!' he muttei ati His heart was beating like a trip-hasur mer, hut for ten minutes he sat the | without moving. Then he heayed deep, happy sigh and asked himself "What would the world do without hypnotism?'
 He had been looking that matter ur md had discovered that he had over looked a most important test. The eX- pertinent was more protracted on this occasion. but it failed to bring him any nearer the goal of his desire-and hers. To have q hypnotized girl was a decided luxury in it's way. but if did not give him the courage he need- cd when she was in her right conscious ness.
 The third evening she protested.
 'What do you do when I am under the influence of your will?" she de handed.
 "I-why, -I that is, don't do any thing" he answered, but if ever false hood showed in mans face. it did in his when he said: "I-I simply make you do various things to demonstrate my control over your will and actions"
 ''rd like to know what they are" she insisted. Suppose you just pretend I am hypnotiZfd and tell me what to do. I'll promise to do it just as would in my irresponsible state. I want to learn the nature of your experiments"
 "But-but that wouldn't demonstrate anything" he argued.
 Foolish man! It would have demon strated more than all his hypnotic ex- periments combined.
 ooh. we'll" she said resignedly eff 1t is If any intellectual or other ad- vantage to you. go ahead But really think it would be ever so much bet ter if I were conscious of what was happening: don't you?"
 He winced. and his face fairly burn ad. In fact. he was so diSconcerted that he failed to notice the glcam of triumph in her eyes as he began his usual experiments. If he had. possibly he would have been better prepared for what happened when it was over. He had scarcely, as he thought, re- moved the spell. when she suddenly eX- claimed: "Why, what's that on your ,oat?" A moment later. after nasty md interested inspection, she added: ''Why-why. it's face powder; and here's some on your mustache. too. Percy Wallingford. demand to know what you make me do when I am .hus placed in your power. It is my light, sir. and I demand an cxplana- ion. What advantage have you taken of my poor, weak willy" What could he say? What could he lo? Clearly nothing but make q clean breast of the whole affair. He hcSi- sated and stammered, grew red and then white, and finally, driven to des- oeration, blurted out. "Forgive me, Martha, but IT love ycu. J did make you put the powder there, but it was because I-that is. want you to marry l me-
 "Oh, Percy!" she cried, "this is so sudden!"
 Copyright, 1917, by W. G. Chapman.)