The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1899-05-25
The Touch of Midas
tXToU impudent puppy! How dare
BY Lucy Foster Madison.
Observation-Disclosures

"VoU impudent puppy. How dare
you aspire to my daughter!
You, YOU" his voice choked, and, too
much enraged for further utterance,
Millionaire Anderson sank back in his
chair and gazed fiercely at the young
man before him.
Charles Hendricks raised his head
proudly.
1T is true, Mr.. Anderson, that / have
aspired to your daughters hand, but
the fact that I love her and offer her
my hand and heart can hardly be
termed impudence."
''May ask what your prospects
are?"
my salary is small, but | expect
raise soon; and then we love each
other"
"Bah. Love in cottage, ] suppose.
Starvation is the real name. Very pref
ty in poetry, I'll admit, but in life
nonsense Let me hear no more of this,
young man, until you have a million
back of you. Then we'll talk"
"Why not make it two?" cried the
young man, hotly, losing control of
himself. THE one is as easy to get as
the other"
1.-TWO it shall be- returned the mil
lionaire, sardonically, becoming cool as
the other lost his temper. Il think my
self that it is nearer the mark"
perhaps you will allow me year to
obtain it," sneered Charles, reaching
for his hat.
''Why not make it two?" suggested
the elder man pleasantly.
1.-TWO it shall be-" returned Hend-
ricks furiously. 1--WE will consider it Il
bargain, then. Adella is mine, pro-
sided that / am worth two millions at
the end of two years. Very well, sir, /
shall have it. Good day.
Charles Hendricks strobe modify
down State street, and mechanically
entered restaurant. The time was
six o'clock in the evening, and the place
was full. Presently his ear was caught
by some remarks of two young men sit
ting at the same table, that aroused his
interest.
YES" one was saying, ''he looks like
veritable sheik. He is really an
Arabian, and is indeed wonder. He
claims that through incubation of Ger
tain plants man can become what he
will for the time being. Yon know
(naming the successful author of re-
cent book He attributes his success
to treatment from this Arab. All Chi
cago is raving over him.
Let us go see him after we have fin
ished. We can find out his method, and
if we wish, try it. | confess that | am
curious"
Pardon me-" interrupted Charles.
addressing them, Il could not help but
hear your conversation, and it has in
terested me. viii you give me the adj
dress of this man."
''1042 Cottage Grove avenue. We are
going out there as soon as we have
finished our supper. We would be glad
of your company"
Cha,les found that one of his COM
papions had poetical aspirations, while
the other was a budding politician
1912 Cottage Grove avenue was reached
In due time. 1t was Il modest. mpre-
tending building of conventional pat
tern without, but upon being admitted
they were impressed by the oriental
nature of the furnishings.
Rugs of rich coioring and rare work
manship covered the floors; the walls
Were concealed by tapestries; the furni-
Of hn hoi i
tables. An atmosphere subdued, warm
and perfnmed, pervaded the apartment
So into which they were ushered by an
Arabian, presumably a servant or slave.
After passing through several rooms,
all furnished according to the same
oriental plan, they came to conserv-
atory filed with rare exoties. Opening
off from the conservatory was a small
apartment, which proved to be the lab
oratory of the philosopher.
Retorts, crucibles, TASKS filled with
liquids of various colors. all the para
phernalia of the chemist, Uttered the
room, which was occupied by two per-
sons.
One, an aged man clothed in the
white flowing garments of the orient.
advanced to meet them. A long beard
which reached almost to the hem ofshis
garment and which gave him patri-
archal look, concealed The lower part
of his face. While having the ap-
pearance of age, there was so much of
energy and alertness in his manner thai