The Portland daily press., 1893-07-14

quickly burn out, and in consequence
the fire die for want of sustenance' Ii
SO, you err. The properties OF this pow
der are self generating, and as long as
the water lasts must Of necessary con-
finue their work of decomposition, 1he
oxygen continually feeding the flames.
Get me another basin OF water.
want to demonstrate it more clearly to
you
Gas heshad done before, he turned the
potassium into the basin and then slfted
in certain amount OF the powder. The
Kissing and Tuning quickly began, fol-
lowed by sharp report, when column
of fire again sprang up, which lasted I'M
til the water was consumed.
"'You see, my first trial was no llsa-
sion,' he said, turning to me. what
have done once can do every time.
sit is a terrible thingp exclaimed,
with a shudder. But why have you
come to neT
Because the secret is worth much to
me. But when approach men they call
me mad and will not listen. They will
believe you, and when you have proved
what I can do they will gladly pay my
price. Then I will divide with you, and
we both shall be rich, you to live at your
ease and to continue my Investigations.
Will you help me-? and he caught me by
the arm with clutch seem to feel
now.
"sHelp you? asked in a husky voice.
Would you jeopardize the lives of the
whole human race for few paltry thou
sands? A man of your great intellect
and research should be above
"fYou still doubt my ability to do
what I elaiin?' he interrupted. Perhaps
In the open air you think would fail?
Come with me and will astonish even
you. See, the storm has cleared away,
and the day is breaking
II was puzzled what to do. There
was no one in the house upon whom /
could call for assistance, but outdoors /
might escape che man. whom, confess,
feared. So consented to accompany
him.
1.-THE morning light was fast dispelling
the shadows of night and storm, and we
had no difficulty in making our way to
little body Of water quite hemmed in by
the mountains and the forest. My com
panion, as If fearing would attempt to
escape, had not taken his gaze from me
since we had left the house.
"sThere is good place to test our
work. he declared, pointing to small
pool of water formed in depression Of
the earth by the late storm.
''Without waiting for my reply he
threw some Of the potassium and powder
into the water The result was startling
to me, though had anticipated the con-
sequence.
ssThe report was deafening, and the
flames seemed to leap to the sky, illu-
minating the night scene with CHASTITY
light. but startling as was the light Of the
burning water the appearance of my
companion, who had seemed to be sud-
denly transformed into demon, was
more terrible.
See, seer he cried, dancing to and
fro with fendish glee, it burns-will
burn till the pool is dry. What do you
think of my secret now2 Do not hold
the key to all life? Oh, feel like god,
and all men are but worms crawling at
my feet! See, the flames leap higher and
higherl'
!" Now, let me drop the same agents
which set that pool on fire into this lake,
and the result will be the same. Aye,
the same, only million times more
grand, for the fire will follow the river
to the gulf and thence to the ocean, to
envelop the entire world in its blazing
sheet. What sight for the gods to wit
ness"
HE gesticulated, fiereely and reached
one arm over the water, as If to drop
the internal powder upon it's placid
bosom, his wild looking figure lit up by
the transplendent glow Of the burning
pool. gazed with awe upon him, real
izing only too well the terrible earnest
ness of his tone.
"sWaitr cried hoarsely, you forget
the money. Your secret is WORTH
"sBah! Who PIRATES Of money with a
cringing world at his feetY he shrieked.
They laugh at me. Now let their tears
put out the flames my hand has kindled.
Sect The potassium, 1t fumes, misses,
dances upon the waterl Now the pow
Imagine who can the horror of my
situation. The blood seemed to freeze in
my veins. My limbs seemed paralyzed,
but I quickly overcame my lethargy.
The life Of every being i'll the world was
in my hands. Nerving myself for the
blow, felled the mad scientist dead at
my feet. At that moment the fire be-
hind me expired. The world was saved.
"You know the rest. I was discov-
cred in the act Of dealing the fatal blow
by men who could not understand the
unreasonable deed had done. You
saved my life. In the sight Of God feel
that / have committed no crime, but
shall die easier knowing that when ana
gone the truth viii be known to the
world. My conscience is clear, and yet
the secret has pointed in my every &C
ton like finger Of fire. p Tit-Bits.
The F7rst gteafn Cruiser.