Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1907-02-28

at the hydrogen thermometer 1t no longer recorded
temperature, which meant that he had attained
height where the cold was than $40 degrees below
zero, and that the engine working upon artificial
electrical heat in vacuum, having passed the point
where liquid air ceases to give off power.
Even as he looked at the frozen hydrogen he felt
trembling movement beneath him. His heart leaped
That dying shudder that the last drop of LIQUID
air gone, and he had reached his iourney's end!
He gazed upward. The spectacle was overwhelm-
ing. Every star Shone out with thrilling brlliancy
For long moment he seemed suspended there pushed
up to the very summit of the dome of atmosphere A
vast, swirling, convovng cloud of vaporous blue filled
all the heavenly vault Beyond it he saw as if it were
indeed wall, the realm of solid oxygen, egver of
the world, enclosing the earth in transparent moving
Cerulean she'll Beyond that lay the immensely of space
Yes tor one single instant Robert HeSton gazed upon
that which mortal had ever seen at close range
but hardly was he convinced of the triumphant termna
ton OF his Journey than he felt the engine suddenly dis
engage itself from his prison. felt terrific sense of fall
ing = falling faster than man or god has fallen
since Vulcan was cast from heaven into the seal He
quvered, struggled gasped - realizing that the end
mad come Then ne remembered that he must write!
But who could record the mental anguish of falling
headong into the jaws of doom at the rate of four miles
second! He groaned aloud, stiffening for the in
evitabe crash, yet strangely sensible of all passing
experience.
Soon strange forms shot by him on every side bilow-
ing out above him. and he realized that he was hanging
In the thin, rarefed air, suspended by hundred tiny
strands, each with parachute at its upper end strug
Cling and sra ing to retard that fearful downward
flight, and each second succeeding better as denser
strata of the atmosphere were reached. Cod How he
thanked themi He had now no wish to die Heart
beats were ages to him. He grew faint and a blurred
phantaSmagoria swept before him = vivid memories,
wild youthful dreams, friends, strangers loved Ones
things beautiful and things hideous = red, green,
pushing, crushing = in one mad pageant of mans
last hour. Then oblivion brought peace
We found it floating in the bay' HestOn heard a
gruf sailor voice say eve thought it was a cake of
ice with man frozen in it. But found different
and towed the queer thing ashore In landing broke
to bits, and we found this stranger insensible but
breathing. We called the cop and the ambulance,
and here he is That's all | know. You medical
sharps can make what you please out of it. Pm just
telling you the TRUTH
Heston dozed again. Then he awoke at the sound
OF voice, and sharply opened his eyes. Two faces
were bent eagerly him. One that of the pro-
tessor the other that of his betrothed Upon the face
of the former he saw nothing but intense scientific
interest cold eager critical Upon the other nothing
but love = all love, but full of wonder and hope.
Professor" he whispered weakly, 'you were per-
feCtly right The earth is enclosed in a shell of solid
transparent oxygen. l reached the realm of absolute
zero!"
The great scientist gave short nod and grunt of
satisfaction, and turned smilngly away make
notes, while pair of soft arms stole about Heson's
neck.
Dearest" he murmured, gazing into the sweetest
face earth to him. 81 know now that | do want to
live, after all.''