Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1907-08-14
By Louis Tracy,
z COPYRIGHT. 1904. BY EDWARD j. cLoDE.
Author of wings Of the Morning." 1.-THE Pi
L&sht." Etc.


inter 1t that day, even if lie possessed
the requisite implements. On Its lower
side 1t was probably still red hot.
Through the soles of his boots, broken
as they were, he could easily feel the
heat of the ground, SO the experiment
must be deferred for twenty-four
hours. perhaps longer. At any rate,
he was sure that his mysterious Wis.,
itor represented realizable asset, and
the knowledge gave him sudden dis
taste for coffee grounds and stale
crusts. He resolved to spend his re-
naming three halfpence on a break
fast and at the same time make some
guarded inquiries as to the nature
and possible cash value of the meteor
itself. Evidently its fall had attracted
no public attention. The fury of the
elements and the subsequent heavy
rain We're effectual safeguards in this
respect, and Johnson's News, marked
out for demolition n fortnight later,
were practically deserted now day and
night
Philip did not then know that Lon
don had already much to talk about in
the recorded incidents of the two
storms. The morning newspapers were
hysterical with headlines announcing
fires, collapse of buildings, street acci-
dents and lamentable loss of life In all
parts Of the metropolis. AS the day
wore and full details came to hand the
list of mishaps would be doubled.
while scientific observers would begin
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 Anson, n ragged boy Of
fifteen, residing in a desolate nook Of
the most disheveled district III the East
End, possessed the very genesis of the
mystery, yet the web of fate was des-
tined to weave a spell that would deft-
~ close his lips.
Meanwhile he wanted his breakfast
he gathered thirty fair sized. white
pebbles and few jagged Jumps Of tne
ironlike material. These he wrapped iii
piece of newspaper, screwed up the
small package tightly and placed 1t In
lis 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 lad
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 I'm.
pulse had not a mighty gust OF wind
swept through the yard and carried Ills
tattered cap into the passage. That
settled it, Philip ran after his head
gear and so was blown into Il strange
sea of events.
'They are quite safe there" he
Thought. "In any case, it will be best
not to carry them about in future.
They get SO frayed, and some day
may want them"
Emerging from the haven Of the
News, he found the untidy life of the
Mile End road eddying in restless con.
fusion through gale. The gaunt, high
walls surrounding his secluded dwell.
ing had sheltered him from the bluster-
ing March wind that was now drying
the streets and creating much III tenn
per in the hearts of carriers, stall own
ers and girls with large hats and full
skirts. In word, everything that
could be tapped or shaken or rudely
swept anywhere out of its rightful
place was dealt with accordingly. III
one instance n heavy tarpaulin was
lifted clean Off u wagon and neatly
lodged over the heads of the driver and
horses OF passing omnibus. They
were not extricated from it's close en-.
brace without some difficulty and q
great quantity of severe yet cogent re-
marks by the wagner and the driver,
assisted by the bus conductor and va
rlous passengers
Philip laughed heartily for the first
time since his mothers DEATH He
waited until the driver and the wag.
oner had exchanged their farewell com.
pliments; then he made off briskly to-.
ward an establishment where three
halfpence would purchase cup OF
coffee and q bun.
In ten minutes he felt much refresh.
ed, and his busy mind reverted to the
mysterious package he carried. Think
ing 1t best to seek the counsel OF an
older head. he went to O'Brien's shop.
The old man was taking down the
shutters and found the task none too
easy. Without q word Philip helped
him, and soon the .pensioner was WHIP
ing his spectacles In the shelter of the
shop.
II dunno what the weather is comm
to at all at ALL" lie grumbled. Last
night was like the tal,in' Nv the Redan.
an this mornin reminds me Nv crossin'
the bay o., Biscay."
ut certainly was fearful thunder
Storm" said Philip.
"FaiS, boy, that's thrue word. II
was just like ould times n the hills
in Injia, where the divil himself holds
coort some nights. But what's the
matter1 Didn't you get that job?"
Philip laughed again. Il am not
sure yet" lie replied. II really came
IN to ask you what this Is"
With his hand in his pocket, he had
untwisted the paper and taken out a
white pebble. which he now handed
to O'Brien.
The old man took it, smelt it and ad.
justed his glasses for critical exam.
nation.
ut amt alum" he announced.
mo. think not"
San 1t amt glass"
Probably not"
"Where did yer get it?'
81 found 1t lying on the pavement"
O'Brien scratched his head. "'ris
quare looking objec', anyhow. What
good is it,"
~ cannot tell you. / thought that
possibly 1t might have some value"
"What! y scrap of white shtone like
that. .Nrrah. what's come over ya?"
''There Is no harm Ii asking. is there!
Some one should be able to tell me
what 1t is made of"
Philip from his small store of pl,l T.
cal geography knew that meteors were
articles Of sufficient rarity to attract
attention, and he was tenacious witllal.
II suppose that jeweler would bc
the best man TO judge. He must un-