The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1903-07-19
The World of the Blue Sun
by PAUL COOK.

down toward the shining world beneath.
The explorers had long ago ceased to
feel any cold. Not until the new planet
was comparatively near did any one on
board the ship discern traces of animal
life. Pellex, who was watching intently,
suddenly gave a shout. His companions
crowded around and he showed them
through his instrument what seemed TO
be a building of peculiar structure and
strange color, which could barely be dis
tingulshed from an elevation at the foot
of which II nestled. This was the only
feature of the landscape that could be
seen, but soon a panorama of cities and
palaces unfolded beneath the astonished
eyes of the Englanians. As the ship
drew nearer great commotion could be
discerned among the inhabitants. Puffs
of vapor rose from many places, and
there was a turmoil of beings about the
great palace which was first seen by
Pelex.
There were no clouds and there seemed
to be no atmosphere, so the Englanians
had little difficulty now in watching
every thing that was taking place be-
meath them. Suddenly the Cartel seemed
to poise moment, shook from stem to
stern. and dropped, like a shot, straight
toward the great palace and the city by
which 1t was surrounded For few Sec
chin shot downward with great
rapidity, and. then the velocity being
1essened she sank gently down into the
city by huge tube from which the white
vapor was still curling slowly. The En-
glanians did not know that they had been
fired at and brought down like bird OF
the air by the mysterious weapon.
A multitude of people surrounded the
H. fao DC oil
figure, although not so tall as the people
who inhabited the earth at that time
Opening the door OF the Cartel with
much fear the Englanians were intox-
Gated by the rush of new atmosphere and
all were seized with uncomfortable fits Of
laughter In a short time the Englanians
recovered sufficiently to climb out on
deck where they gazed about in Won
der on a throng of beautiful beings whose
faces were as radiant as those OF angels.
All were smiling, while their eyes were
filled with amazement. Seeing that the
people meditated no harm, Pellex and
his companions descended. They were
Immediately greeted In strange words by
a party of dlgnitaries who gathered about
them and attempted to make themselves
understood. Failing in this, the party
turned and led the way to the palace.
Pellex and his companions followed.
Passing through street paved with
some bright substance that reflected the
blue rays of Sirius. that now hung, a
great ball OF fire, suspended In the sky.
everywhere the strange light permeated
and the faces of the people seemd to
glow with the peculiar color. The ex-
hilarating effect of the atmosphere con-
tinued to disturb the Adventures, and
they burst frequently into peals of
laughter Everywhere the people were
smiling and gentle. From outward ap-
pearances Pelex had found world
where there was only happiness. There
were no deformed people to be seen; no
sick, and none were ugly. All things
were beautiful. be md even the widest
dreams of the proud Englanians in that
far away land of the earth. There APP
peared TO be no vegetation, but the bare
mountains emitted such roseate colors
that the adornment was not missed. A
bridge was crossed The stream beneath
was unlike any the Englanians had ever
seen and looked like quicksilver. Pellex
thought with a start that they would
fare badly II this We're the water they
would have to drink, but consoled him
self with the thought of the cubes
stored away in the Cartel.
Arrived at the palace. woman more
beautiful than the others received them
with gracious smile. and at the first
glance into her wonderful face Pellex
lost all desire to return 10 earth.
Time sped swiftly by. and still the En-
gianians fingered in the blue world They
we're constantly meeting with wonders,
but they soon became so accustomed to
phenomena that their establishment pass
ed away The other members of the
party, however kept up their investiga-
lions assiduously while Pelex spent his
days in the palace where he was now be-
come a favorite.
At last the scientists tired of their stay
and longed to return to eartn with their
knowledge The chemical guns could be
easily recharged and they anticipated no
trouble in making the return trip. In
this they reckoned without their hostess
When they went to seach for their ship
they found II In ruins. There was not
semblance of shape about the once hand
some Cartel, and when the Englanians
realized their fate they were dumbfound-
ed Even Pellex was disturbed when told
of their discovery but soon forgot his
troubles in the smiles of his mistress
A generation or two of Englanians pass
ed away on the earth. and the expedition
of Pellex was forgotten. Scientists
ceased to watch the heavens. because all
those who had witnessed the departure
Of the ship had long ago died. In the
meanwhile the death of the sun slowly
enveloped the world in Ice while In the
far distant world of the blue sun, Pellex
and his companions forever IN the midst
of happiness, but always disconnected
Had the explorers been able to return
the Englanians might have been spared
the fate which overlook them. but such
was not to be and they perished when
the sun became cold.