The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-03
By A. LAURIE.

Tell me how it comes about that your
uncle and yourself are here"
You vii! be able to talk better here, &"
courteorsly said the major, opening the
door Of his private sitting room for
them The other travellers remained
in the common room
The consul was so taken UP with the
Joy of meeting Gertrude that he failed
to perceive the presence of Norbert
and the baronet. Alone with her father,
she mastered her emotion at last, and.
heaving a deep sigh, clasped her hands
on her fathers shoulder.
II you only knew, dear papa she
said, "all that 1 have gone through,
you would scarcely credit what I have
to tell you, and indeed, at times l my
self even wonder whether it is not all
dream. Yet it is perfectly true. I'm
Gle, Monsieur Mauny, Sir Bucephalus,
Fatima, Virgil and Smith will all bear
out my statement that it is no illu-
sion We have just come from spending
twenty nine days in the moon"
In the moon?" exclaimed her father.
with terrible misgiving lest Gertrude
should have lost her reason. What are
you saying, child?"
oh. of course. you find it difficult to
believe me. But I assure you. darling
papa, that l have not lost my senses, as
you seem to think You knew all about
Monsieur Maunys plans. did you not?
Wen, he has carried them into execu-
tion-that is all. We have spent near
ly all the time on the moon
No doubt about it," murmured the
Mortified father TO himself. 1.-The agony
of our separation has turned my child's
head She is in delirium. My darling
Gertrude" he continued aloud, while
striving to hide the tears that sprang
to his eyes, do you mean to tell me
that Mauny and Sir BucephaIus are
with your uncle?"
Yes. papa: they have never left us.
made the wonderful journey in their
company. and we all came down to-
gether this very night
The consul could no longer bear his
terrible suspension. He rushed to the
door, pale and haggard-eyed, resolved
to end the suspense.
Monsieur Mauny." he cried, in a
hoarse voice. are you there?"
yes. consul answered Norbert,
Fastening 10 meet him. He also was
pale, and visib1y much moved by some
inward emotion "Win you ever forgive
me?" he said, as he pressed Kersain' s
outstretched hand
For WHAT asked the unhappy
father
For having exposed Mademoiselle
Kersain to the periIs of such an expe-
dition! She win have told you that it
was quite involuntary en- my part, ard
that events took an unexpected course
We found ourselves in the moon quite
without generalization
What ?'' cried the consul You ALSO.
Has everyone lost his senses? :5riet:
Sir Buceohalus!"
The doctor and the baronet hurried
u
What is the meaning of this fright
full delusion?'' said Kersain, closing the
door
What delusion?"
My daughter and Mauny pretend that
you-that you all came from the moon"
stammered the agitated consul.
We'll, that is the exact truth re-
piled the doctor, smiling
1T is the truth" added Sir Bucepha-
lus. in a less joyous tone
What, Do you mean to maintain with
Gertrude and Mauny. that"
THAT we all started for the moon.
stayed there one month. and came down
again just now, That is the sober truth
my dear brother-in- law And if you
want a proof l will show you the superb
geological specimens I brought back
from the moon. he added, fumbIing in
his capacious coat pockets. Good gra-
ciousi l must have left them behind on
the table in my room. I have no heae
for anything he cried; but added i'm
mediately, Never mind. I can show my
Selenite manuscript, luckily"
This he took out of his pocketbook, and
held 1t out triumphantIy to Kersain. who
in truth. did not know what to make of
four such positive assertions, and ended
by believing in all the proofs and details
he heard. especially since Fatima, Virgil
and Smith confrped the statements of
the others.
Shall l give you piece of advice -
he said, when at length he was con-
WINGED. Keep all this TO yourselves,
and tell no one unless you are certain
you will be believed. Otherwise you will
be taken for charlatans or fools"
I'VE know that; and this very morn
Ing" answered the doctor, I'VE ran q
risk of being arrested on account of our
reticence, AS it was we cut sorry
figure before the British major. But pa
thence! 1t will all be proved in time"
Each one then related his adventures
since they parted. Gertrude told her
father all about the wonderful journey.