The Lake County times. [volume] (Hammond, Ind.) 1906-1933, 1907-06-06

on my head"
that had its advent been delayed a
second or two the precise locality Sc
lected for its impact would not have
mattered much to him.
IT wonder what it is" he went on.
us it worth anything? Perhaps If I
dig it out may be able to sell it as q
curiosity"
A moments reflection told him, how
ever, that he would not be able to dis
inter it that day, even if he possessed
the requisite implements. On its lower
side it 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 a realiZable asset, and
the knowledge gave him a 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 were effectual safeguards in this
respect, and Johnson's News, marked
out for demolition a 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 We're
hysterical with headlines announcing
fires, collapse of buildings, street acct
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
q 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
fifteen, residing in a desolate nook of
! the most disheveled district in 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-
| ly close his lips.
Meanwhile he wanted his breakfast
He gathered thirty fair sized, white
| pebbles and few Jagged humps Of the
ironlike material. These he wrapped i'll
a piece Of newspaper, screwed up the
I ;rrllf nj / r
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 had
these documents left his possession
The door was locked and the key in hi:
pocket before he missed them. 1t wa:
in his mind to turn back. In another
second he would have obeyed the i'm
pulse had not a mighty gust Of wine
swept through the yard and carried BIZ
tattered cap into the passage. Tina
settled it. Philip ran after his head
gear and so was blown into a strang
sea of events
'aThey are quite safe there" h
thought. In any case, it will be bes
not to carry them about in future
They get so frayed, and some day
: may want them"
Emerging from the haven Of th
. News, he found the untidy life Of til
Mile End road eddying in restless cor
fusion through gale. The gaunt, hig
walls surrounding his secluded dwell
ing had sheltered him from the blustel
Ing March wind that was now dryin
the streets and creating much III ten
; per in the hearts Of carriers, stall owl
; ers and girls with large hats and FL
: skirts. In q word, everything ths
| could be tapped or shaken or rudel
, swept anywhere out OF its rightfl
place was dealt with accordingly.
{ one instance q heavy tarpaulin w
{ lifted clean OF q wagon and neat
!, lodged over the heads of the driver az
horses OF a passing omnibus. The
I were not extricated from its close en-
brace without some difficulty and
] great quantity OF severe yet cogent T
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