Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-09-29

gesture of WEAKNESS. Think of the
world We live in, full of anNieties. dis
appointments, heart wrenches, veXa-
TONS lie mulmured, as if 10 him
self.
YOU WHO live in Il world OF your own
have escaped these ills Sasar re-
marked
You forget l was once young, my
friend"
But You turned hermit in early
manhood
when found an object to live for
Pardon me if l cali it dream"
"A dream?" the alchemist cried out.
the light of enthusiasm flashing in his
eyes and transiiguring his wrinkled.
face. as his thoughts We're recalled to
the dominant purpose of his life. You
are wrong, my friend; il is Il reality.
Twice l have nearly accomplished my
ambition 1t requires time, study, eN-
perience. the utmost care. The furnace
made degree too hot or too cold. Il
grain too much of too little of some
chemical. may spoil the labor of
months. But l am now sure of sue
cess. This very night l may gain the
grand secret to whose discovery have
willingly sacrificed the days and nights
of many years; the passions, health and
enjoyments which are other mems
birthrights."
Sasari watched his eNcitment. be-
lieying him mad on this one point.
But supposing you succeed" he sug-
gested
Then" the old man replied, rs he
rose from his chais and drew himself
up proudly-'then, what can l not do?
can give bread TO the hungry shelter
to the homeless. found hospitals for the
cure of disease refugees for the aged,
relieve the poverty stricken, remove the
burden of debt that brushes my ,lnlap-
ply country His eyes cleaned, and he
gesticulated wildly.
And for yourself? 2"
For myself ! require but Il bed of
earth i'm which 10 sleep" he answered,
as his voice suddenly dropped While he
drew hisgabardine closely round him
as if suddenly chilled
1t was close upon midnight when he
bent watching above the crucible con-
tanning the chemicals he had carefully
measured and the metals he had sorted,
which now simmered ON the low fire
OF the furnace in his laboratory
Not a breath of wind, not Il move
ment of man or beast could be heard
outside or in. save the show shuttle of
his :lppered feet and the deep breath.;
he eNhaled through his nostrils, that
now quivered from suppressed excite
ment.
Hanging from beam crossing the
ceiling of this vast apartment was an
octasonal lamp, whose steady silver
light fell softly on various jars and bot
ties ranged on shelves; on piles of
manuscript, dog cared volumes bound
in velluEl; on strange Instruments lying
against the wallis; and on the furnace
With Its selpentine pipes and its dull!
red glow that lit up the old mans
brown, withered face and gave him the
semblance of one exalted, illumined and
TRANSPORTED by purpose beyond the
reach of ordinary man.
The insidious, pungent odor arising
from the crucible, stirred his senses TO
rapture; heavy vapor gradually tll-
ing the atmosphere made him gasp
for breath; excitement brought the
perspiration thick upon his temples
and the upward springing of lurieI
flames well-nigh dazzled his eager
wntchful eyes.
| Consultation of parchment manu-
script assured MIN that the great mo-
lnent had undoubtedly come. He had
but to add seven drops OF a precious
oil treasured in ruby flask and Won
der of wonders, the secret would be
clutched from nature, his task accom-
plishad. He strove to hush the sing
ing in his ears triumphant singing
like a chorus of rejoicing spirits and
to subdue the leaplng of his pulse as
he removed the stopper from the flasl.
to pour out the aromatic oil
7 AS the first drop fell into the seeth
ing substance In the crucible. the vapor
pervadng the room increased in dem
sity and assumed an amber hue. the
second turned the LIQUID mass to gilt
tering fi'oth; his shaking fingers ac-
cidentally dropped the third into the
fire. Like some exultant demon es
Gaping it's doom, red flame instantly
sprang into the sir. filling the room
with fierce glare. selling ard SINCE
ing to it's roots the hair of his beard
eyebrows and head, and clutching a,
his cotton shirt until his body was
wrapped In sheet OF fire that scorcl1e5
his flesh, played aWdnd his waving
arms. Jared in his face. and ate into
his bones.
! With wild. despairing cry OF terror
! and agony he flung himself down. roll