The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1899-07-14
The Touch of Midas
sANOU impudent puppy! How dare
BY Lucy Foster Madison.
T. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

"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 tiercely at the young
man before him.
Charles Hendricks raised his head
proudly.
''It is true, Mr.. Anderson, that have
aspired to your daughters hand, but
the fact that | love her and offer her
my hand and heart can hardly be
termed impudence."
May l ask what your prospects
are?'
my salary is small, but 1 expect a
raise soon; and then we love each
other"
Bah. Love in a cottage, I suppose.
Starvation is the real name. Very pret-
ty 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 We'll talk"
"Why not make it two?" cried the
youIi5 AIlslll, SoAilAoA Vi
himself 1.-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.
'Two it shall be-" returned Hend-
ricks furiously. I'VE will consider it a
bargain, then. Adella is mine, pro-
vided that l am worth two millions at
the end of two years. Very well, sir,
shall have it. Good day."
Charles Hendricks strobe moodily
down State street, and mechanically
entered a 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 inoculation of GER
tain plants man can become what he
will for the time being. You know
(naming the successful author of a 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. 1 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 ad-
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"
Charles found that one of his COM
panions had poetical aspirations, while
the other was a budding politician.
1042 Cottage Grove avenue was reached
In due time. 1t was a modest, unpre-
tending building of conventional pat
tern without, but upon being admitted,
they We're impressed by the oriental
nature of the furnishings.
Rugs of rich cotoring and rare work.
manship covered the floors; the walls
were concealed by tapestries; the furni-
ture consisted of bamboo chairs and
tables. An atmosphere subdued, warm
and perfumed, pervaded the apartment
into which they were ushered by an
Arabian, presumably sertant or slave.
After passing through several rooms,
all furnished according to the same
oriental plan, they came to conserv-
atory filled with rare eXotics. Opening
off from the conservatory was 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 of his
garment and which gave him patri-
archal look, concealed the lower part
of his face. While having the APP
pearance of age, there was so much Of
energy and alertness in his manner that
one received the impression of un-
bounded vitality.
"Have ye also come to try the skill of
the philosopher" he asked in a musical
VOICE.
"We have, o, O." the politician hes
itated.