The St. Cloud journal. [volume] (St. Cloud, Minn.) 1866-1876, 1870-12-08

NO. 2l.
said, "Excuse me. No more soul than
-something, you were going to say"
ut don't natter" said Clarke, light
ly ; and then he added With energy,
Ethan he believes be bas !"
We part soon after-Clark to return
to his studies, and to saunter about in
a tit Of list!ess incidence. I had DO
cares to disturb me, and delighted to
wander through the old town, filed
with tho relics of fbygone days.
After that, Clarke and myself were
often thrown into the society of
Heiodl, who seldom lost an opportunity
to expatiate on the theory With which
he had mortified US. The subject was
never started by me, but Reiadl always
managed to bring it into the conve-sa-
tion, and as he was good talker, he
invested it With an attractiveness ap.
preaching fascination. Clarke and l
rarely alluded to itwheu not in Heindps
company. The mention Of it always
ag'tated Clarke, and we came to a tacit
understanding to let it drop.
As is usual when the mind dwells on
a particular subject, and does not re-
lieve itself by communication with an
other mind, I began to have secret fan
cies aud dim forebodings. Terrible
notions shot across my brain, and, 1
found myself watching Heindl very
much as one does an expected assail-
ant. I amagined that he looked at
Clarke and myself with hungry eyes,
like vulture on dying animal. His
face seemed to say that he coveted US
to try his experiment upon-that he
would willingly sacrifice us to test the
validity Of the idea which had taken
possession Of him. soon came to re.
gard him with feeling akin to fear
for he constantly sought our society,
and endeavored to impress us With the
sublim'ty Of science and the duty o1
men to become devotees to it, to the
extent of sacrificing health, pleasure
religion, the common duties Of life, and
even life itself: Consequently 1 dread.
ed to see him coming although there
was still remnant of the old fascina.
tion about him.
Whether or not Clarke shared in
these feelings do not know. Neithe,
his conduct nor his words indicated
that he did. Unlike myself, he seem.
ed to be growing fond of Heindl's
society, and sought rather than avoid
ed him. I learned afterward that thi.
was owing to devilish ingenuity witt
which Heindl adapted himself tt
Clarke's nature and disposition.
1 was, however, not one to allow 2,
vague uncertainty to trouble me to an,
great extent, and 50 the circumstance
I have mentioned did not prey upo'
nv mind, but served only as a sligh
variation to r5e rather monotonous aut
altogether aiuless life I was leading il
the quiet little town.
One day was going through th
streets when shower came on.
rsiued violently, and the only dwellin,
near at hand which I felt privileged t
enter was the one where Heindl board
ed. Into this l hastened. I nearl
knocked down boy who stepped in a
the door at the sane time as myself
He carried box under his arm, an
inquired for MIR. Hcindl. The land
lady directed him to the room, am
thither he proceeded, I following.
Heindl spoke to the, boy first, no
seeing me. "Have you got it," h
asked eagerly. "'
eyes," replied the urchin "and be-
an ugly creaturc-more than six fec
long, and with the most beautifu
faDgs-"
"Oh, shut up that this, neve
miud," said Heindl quickly, taking tn
box from the boys hands and thrust
ing in under the bed. My coming i
was apparently the cause Of bis sudde
action. He stepped forward. "Good
afternoon, Eustace," he said "you &C
vet, didn't you ?"
! "a httle," 1 replied.
The bog had left in obedience to
gesture from Heindl, and the latter az
pearel somewhat confused aad agitated
The box 60 hastily concealed vas abou
q foot wide and deep by two feet long
and had severa1 holes hored IN IN
sides. I felt curiosity to know wha
it contained, but refrained from pu'
ting questions. Heindl appcard pr
occupied, and I felt more like an il
truder than a welcome visitor. Bu
the shower was not Of long duration
and l soon took my departure.
I Unused long on the s;ngular-lookin
box that had attracted my attention
The boys words had suggested its con
tents. "Slx feet long and has beaut