Baxter Springs news. [volume] (Baxter Springs, Kan.) 1882-1919, 1908-06-04

ana mySeli, our marriage would nave
taken place speedily. But her father
threatened to prove a stumbling
block. Not that objected to becom-
Ing son-in-law to wealthy and ia
nous inventor. He. however, might
feel some hesitation about grating
q namaless, penniless scion upon his
family 90.
Still. .Aint heart never won fair
lady," so I bearded Mr.. David Fitch
In his laboratory, and amidst steam
ing testtubes preferred my modest re-
quest for his dearest earthly treasure.
Mr. Fitch's eyes were OF arctic blue.
Under their cold impersonal micro
SCOPE gaze / felt backboneless as pro-
tGplasm. After silence he spoke:
Il had hoped that Geraldine, II she
ever married, would wed regular
In the army Of science. Her husband
must at least be volunteer. For
some tests man requires no pre-
fiminary training, simply willingness
to stake, II need be. life itself. want
q recruit for sortie, as 1t were, into
the realm of the untried. The chances
OF success are six to four, yes, seven
to three. Failing. you disappear as
utterly as the carbon in that gas
name; winning, you become my SON.
in-law."
Without Geraldine, life to me meant
worse than nothing.
II volunteer" I cried. His blue
eyes glinted icily.
very WE'LL" was his curt response.
BE ready at any hour next week.
Say nothing to Geraldine. Women
have observed, are absurdly sensi-
tive in some matters. Good morning."
started out.
by the by" he added, you had bet.
ter make your will"
I told him had nothing to will, and
nobody to will 1t to.
"All the better. in case you fail" he
approved.
A foggy morning three days later
brought his summons:
"Come at once"
Forty minutes took me to his
country house in a thick wood five
miles from the city. Geraldine, l
knew, was away on visit.
Mr.. Fitch himself answered my ring.
Hitherto had wasted no dread on the
unknown test; but now, determined
though l was, "a SILVER chilled my
spine, as he double-locked the door
behind us. l. thought of Geraldine.
and plucked up courage.
The scientist preceded me upstairs.
At a corridor end he paused.
III you pass this door," said he,
there Is no retreat, as / told you.
the chances Of success are seven to
three. That is my opinion, and
have not made mistake for II years.
Still, we are all liable to err. Nothing
is certain save scientific law. But
beyond this door lies your only hope
OF Geraldine"
Now without Geraldine knew |
could not live anyway. So without |
hesitation followed him up steep
narrow stair into an attic filed with |
machinery.
On a table stood two goblets of col |
orless liquid. Mr.. Fitch pushed one |
toward me. and took the other himself.
my glass;" said he, contains water.
Yours, something besides"
We lifted our goblets. Curiously
enough, / was cooler than he. Scien-
fist though he was, his hand shook
with excitement.
ITO the great venture" He set
his chalice to his lips.
: ITO Geraldine" l responded, drain.
ing my tasteless glass.
Far of, a whisper, whizzlng, rush
ing, a roar; all the wheels in all the
mills in the world were going round
in my head. I lost consciousness.
/ opened my eyes In small cigar
shaped room Of aluminium colored met
al, Lit by electric bulbs, although day
light filtered dimly in through thick
translucent bull's-eyes. Before me
bIOOu u IOW VI tC'Cio, CoCh Win Aeo
numbered dial. Behind a partition
echoed the ceaseless staccato Of a gas.
oline engine Outside. hurricane
whined and whistled.
Where was I? ! sprang up. and
looked out.
was rushing at incalculable speed
dense fog. winnowed by whir-
ring wing-like vans. At once / real
lied that l was alone on an aeroplane.
bound whittier? Il
A compass In q small pinnacle in
front of the steering wheel showed
our course to be slightly north Of east.
Ny watch said two o'clock; had been
insensible three hours.
( Klingi Klingi Looking round in