The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-03-19
HE TOUCH OF MIDAS.
THE
1t Proved a Deadly Curse 10 the Man
Who Coveted Its Power.
BY Lucy Foster Madison.

You 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 fercely
at the young man before him.
Charles Hendricks raised his head proud
ly.
1T is true, Mr.. Anderson, that I have
aspired to your daughters hand; but the
fact that love her and offer her my hand
and heart can hardly be termed impu-
dence."
Mr.. Anderson gasped. May ask" he
inquired sarcastically, what your pros
poets are?"
MY salary is small, but I expect raise
soon; and then. we love each other"
"Bahl Love in a cottage, 1 suppose.
Starvation is the real name. Very pretty
in poetry, I'll admit but in life-nonsense.
Let me hear no more of this, young man.
until you have million back of you. Then
wen talk"
why not make il two?" cried the young
man hotly, losing control of himself. THE
one is as easy to get as the other"
Two it shall be-" returned the million-
aire sardonically, becoming cool as the
other lost his temper. Il think myself
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 the bricks
furiously. I'VE Will consider it bar
gain, then. Adella is mine, provided that
| am worth two millions at the end OF
two years. Very well, sir 1 shall have
t. Good-day."
Charles Hendricks strobe modify down
state street, and mechanically entered
restaurant. The time was O'Clock in the
evening, and the place was full. Pres
emily his ear was caught by some remarks
of two young men sitting at the same ia
be, 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 certain plants man
can become what he will for the time be-
ing. You know - manning the sue
cessful author Of recent book. He az
tributes his success to treatment from this
Arab. All Chicago 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 1t. 1 confess that I am
curious"
Pardon me-" interrupted Charles, ad-
dressing them, 81 could not help but hear
your conversation, and it has interested
me- Will you give me the address of this
MANI"
zone thousand and forty-two Cottage
Grove avenue. We are going out there
as soon as we have finished our supper.
We would be glad of your company"
Charles found that one of his compan-
@ts~.z- -. IL
other was budding politicians One thou
sand and forty-two Cottoge Grove ave-
nue. was reached in due time. 1t was
modest, unpretending building, of conven-
tionel pattern without, but upon being
| admitted, they were impressed by the ORR
entail nature of the furnishings.
Rugs of rich coloring and rare work
manship covered the floors; the walls
were covered by tapestries; the furni-
ture consisted Of bamboo chairs and ia
| bles. An atmosphere subdued warm and
perfumed, peryaded the apartment into
which they were ushered by an Arabian,
! presumably servant or slave
After passing through several rooms, all
| furnished according to the same Orien-
tai plan, they came to a conservatory fill
ed with rare exotics. Opening off from the
| conservatory was a small apartment
which proved to be the laboratory of the
| philosopher.
Retorts, crucibles TASKS filled with Hq-
uids of various colors, all the parapher-
| malta of the chemist, Uttered the ROOM
which was occupied by two persons.
One, an aged man clothed in the white
flowing garments of the Orient, advance
ed to meet them. A long beard which
reached almost to the hem of
him a patriarchal look, con-
cealed the lower part of his face While
having the appearance of age, there was
much of energy and alertness in his man
ner that one received the impression of
unbounded vitality.
Have We also come to try the skill of
the philosopher" he asked in a musical
voice.
I'VE have. o. o." the politician hest
tated
Doctor Abdallah," completed the Arab
ian. 81 am but the exponent of the art
of Alkimia- Mlnistering to the mind of
man instead of his body. Be seated while
1 continue with this young man."
He turned to the other occupant of the
| ROOM whom Charles recognized as a Wri-
ter of occasional stories for the newspa-
pers.
Thou art warned, my son; dost thou
still wish to eontlnue?"
| Proceed, DOCTOR" said the other, firm
ly. "'Tis deeds, not years, that make
life. Let me but write one book that will
live, and L care not how short life may
| be-"
The old man smiled as if pleased with
the decision, and, taking up a knife with
a thin blade, babe the young man remove
his coat. Rolling up the shirt sleeve. he
made an incislon in the right arm, keeping
up running commentary as he rubbed
! various extracts into the wound.
First, we will have this Nightshade
for imagination vivid and scintillating.
Then this extract of Passion Flower that
| thy pages may sing of love. A little sea-
son of Shamrock for wit and humor; a
little Carnation and Mustard for spice,
for thy sweets must not cloy. Fennel for
strength; Azalea for invention and now.
let us pour this mixture of Aloe and
Prickly Pear that thy style may be clear
cut, brilliant and satirical; then we finish
with the precious extract of Immortelle.
that thou mayst attain to that fame which
| is vouchsafed to but few"
He rolled down the sleeve, made a parcel
o. the extracts and handed 1t to the young
| feIfOur