La Junta tribune., 1906-11-17

vent Of the illustrious Jennings (who
was described In the advertisements AZ
the peer Of Eiiisonl had been set up
beside the newer miracle Of mechanics.
and It was working with steady. labori-
ous patience. ander the guidance OF
skilled hand. Meanwhile the Jennings
automatic. teuded only by a girl. was
casting forth straw hats as a modern
printing press disgorges newspapers.
Mr. Ely had never seen II run SO fast.
and he viewed it with considerable un-
easiness. for he knew that something
sensational would happen II II should
clog while going at such gait. But
the eye of Jennings was sharper than
an eagles. and. though he seemed to
be wholly al his ease, he was always
on the watch for the danger signal
Now. gentlemen" he was saying.
I'VE will give you all a chance to e1-
anime this mechanism to better ad-
vantage than is possible while 1t is
being operated at high speed. Miss
Williams. will you obllge me-
Miss Williams Obliged" Despite
her innocent and girlish mien. she was
an expert with the automatic, trained
under the inventors eye for many
months. She knew as well as he did
that the moment had come when the
machine must be stopped or 1t would
cut such capers as would set the
crowd bowling She smiled sweetly
at Mr.. Jennings and turned OF the
power. The automatic came to rest
Gentle as q lamb" said the invent
or. patting the iron child Of his brain.
as II moved by affection for II, but
really to see how hot II was In vari-
ous places. Now. gentlemen. will
remove certain parts 30 that you may
understand how We get these remarka-
bic results"
Mr.. Ely meanwhile had passed be-
hind the machine and stopped beside
the pile Of plated straw with which
the automatic was fed. II happened.
then, that be noted the unlishted cigar.
and, kneeling there. he took out the
box Of matches which the little peidler
had sold to him. He was about to
light one OF them when his attention
was stricken by . voice. and be listen
ed m0tioaless.
II was . squat. dark. oily skinned
man who was speaking Ely had q
glimpse Of his face through 4 wheel Of
the machine and recognized him for .
curb broker named Stendhall, In re-
gard to whom he had received a warn
ing that the fellow might try to work
an unfriendly game with the stock.
Mr.. Jennings" said Stendhall. some
Of us are not satisfied with this ex-
hibition We would like to see test
Of four hours continuous operation
four hours at least We"
But Ely heard no more. There was
ringing In his ears. with a dizziness
that made him put hand upon the
floor to steady himself. The bare floor
was cold to the touch, being made OF
slabs OF stone. An idea seemed to leap
from the tips Of Eiy's fingers TO his
brain. He cast a hasty glance over
the pile Of straw. No one was observ-
ing him. Ten seconds later he arose
with lighted cigar between his lips.
The inextinguishable match was brisk
iy sizzling In the straw.
Ely stepped behind Miss Williams.
who had got down from her place mt
the machine. He had no special inter
est in her. but she was the only WON
an present. and he felt responsible for
her safety.
| Fire yelled somebody. and ON the
instant beautiful spurt of flame leap
ed straight for the vitals Of the auto
matte. There was "A wild rush for the
doors, and Ely observed Stendhall, with
his head down. buttiug his way TO
safety aud roaring with panic.
Beyond few scratches and the rend-
lng Of garments no larm was done.
1 The are burned itself put ON the stone
floor. anJ there wGs nothing for the
fremen to do when they arrived. After
IL was all over the inventor. pale with
excitement. laid hand on Ely's shoul-
der and stared into his eyes.
by George. sirr' said be. you're
the quickest man To- think that ever !
saw. You saved orr bacon that time.
sure"
How 10 you know ! did ~"
Well" said tho inventor. shivering
and grinniug. Il hope I've got as much
| faith Ia Providence as any Christian
needs. hut there's "A limit, sir; there's
/ n limit. This was no miracle-no. sir.
speaking u miracles" rejoined Ely.
you've got forty-eisht hours 20 ac-
complish one. We can claim two days
delay on the ground Of damage 10 our
machine. At the end OF that time the
automatic has got 20 run four hours ai
high speed or there's an end OF US"
-I'Il do it, cried the inventor. by
/ George In do it,
i've beard that before" responded
Z lily. "Now. want to see it
/ u was after 4 O'Clock wheu Ely en-
tered his private Office and sank heavi
Z b into hs chair. His desk was closed.
I Thor. vvsra safs. letters mann TIA. I,.u Z