Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1905-09-09
CHAPTER III.-tContinued.)
TALE OF MYSTERY AND ADVENTURE
BY LOUIS TRACY.

,ho requisite implements. On Its lower
-. i was probably still red-hot.
q,hr,uob the soles of his boots, broken
tho,, were he could easily feel the heat
.be Ground. so the experiment must he
l.forred for twenty four hours, perhaps
1,rnr At any rate, he was sure that
~; Mysterious visitor represented a real
.:,,b,e asset and the knowledge gave him
-,dden distaste for coffee grounds and
.oIo crnsts He resolved to spend his
-.,,o;ninp three halfpence on breakfast,
a1 o+ the same time, make some guard
'i'' ;rn,,i,ies as to the nature and possible
,.alue of the meteor itself. Evident
", IFS fall had attracted no public at
ANTON The fury of the elements and
tbo subsequent heavy rain were etfectual
sofeo1ards in this respect, and Johnson's
NJ marked out for demolition a fort
,5obt later. were practically deserted
now day and night Philip did not then
l,oow that London had already much to
ian, about in the recorded incidents of
Tho Two storms. The morning newspa-
nors were historical with headlines an
nouncing fires, collapse of buildings,
street accidents, and lamentable loss of
Tfe in all parts of the metropolis. As
Tho dav wore, and full details came to
hand the list of mishaps would be
1opbled. while scientific observers would
bepin a nine days wrangle in the effort
to determine the precise reason why the
electrical disturbance should have been
wholly confined to the metropolitan area.
Philip Arson, a ragged boy of Is, resid
inc in desolate nook of the most dis
beyeled district in the East End, pos
sessed the very genesis of the mystery,
vet the web of fate was destined to weave
a spell that would deity close his lips.
Meanwhile he wanted his breakfast.
He gathered thirty fair sized, white peb
bes and a few Jagged Jumps of the iron
like material These he wrapped in a
piece of newspaper, screwed up the small
package tightly, and placed it in his
trousers pocket. Thinking deeply about
the awesOme incidents of the previous
night. he donned his coat and did not
notice the packet of letters lying in the
chair. Never before had these documents
left his possession. The door was locked
and the key in his pocket before he
missed them. 1t was in his mind to turn
back In another second he would have
obeyed the impulse, had not a mighty
gust of wind swept through the yard and
carried his tattered cap into the passage.
That settled it. Philip ran after his
headgear, and so was blown into
strange sea of events.
They are quite safe there" he thought.
an any case, it will be best not to carry
them about in future. They get 80
frayed, and some day l may want them"
Emerging from the haven of the news,
he found the untidy life of the Mile End
road eddying in restless confusion
through a gale. The gaunt, high walls
surrounding his secluded dwelling had
sheltered him from the clustering March
wind that was now drying the streets
and creating much illtemper in the
hearts of carriers, stall owners and girls
with large hats and full skirts. In a
word, everything that could be tapped
OF shaken. or rudely swept anywhere out
OF its rightful place, was dealt with ac-
cordlngly. In one instance a heavy tar
pauln was lifted clean off a wagon and
neatly lodged over the heads of the driver
and horses of passing omnibus. They
were not extricated from its close EN-
brace without some difficulty and a great
quantity of severe yet cogent remarks
ny the WAGNER and the driver, assisted
by the bus conductor and various pas
sengers.
Philip laughed heartily, for the first
time since his mothers death. He waited
until the driver and the WAGNER had ex-
changed their farewell compliments. Then
ne made off hrsely lxr RN, 81
ment where three halfpence would pur-
chase cup of coffee and a bun.
In ten minutes he felt much refreshed,
ana ms busy mind reverted to the mys-
ferrous package he carried. Thinking it
best to seek the counsel of an older
mead he went to 0Brien's shop. The
"u man was taking down the shut
Ter, ,ers and found the task none too easy.
without a word, Philip helped him, and
soon the pensioner was wiping his spec
'dcies IN the shelter of the shop.
dunno what the weather is comm
70 at all at ALL" he grumbled. Last
Dleot was like the takin' NV the Redan.
an TINS mornin' reminds me Nv crossin'
'he Bay o Biscay."
IL certainly was a fearful thunder
storm said Philip.
rank, boy, that's a thrue word. 1t
was was Just like ould times in the hills in |
, , where the divil himself holds coort |
H. 4e nights. But what's the NATTER
Dla9 t you get that iob?"
In'9p laughed again. 81 am not sure |
a a ne replied. Il really came in to !
ASK You what this is"
WIN his hand III his pocket. he had |
, at,t*'sled the paper and taken out the
G. 1.1 pebbles, which he now handed to
IT,. he old man look it, smeIt it and ad.
t ,,% ms glasses for a critical examina.
1t amt alum,'' he announced. -
No think nct.'
An it amt glass;
Probably not
" here did yer get it?p
o , found it lying on the pavement
o,. nDL ~ scratched his head. "'Tis a
+. 49, .''Aing objee', anyhow. What good