The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1908-09-03

~ hiS hOtoOOOks lady, glanC-
Ing at the unhappy Mrs. Mansel-
considerably upset by the accident
What the devil do you mean. sir?"
cried the angry Duke.
I'm on the staff of the Daily
Hustler rapidly sketchlng the un-
fortunate pair-"that- the car down
there, eh? You don't happen to know
a short cut down?"
Il know this. SIR" foamed the
angry Duke. that unless you take
yourself and your confounded note
oook out OF reach. you may find your
self in a position to study the ruins
OF that vehicle more thoroughly than
you desire"
Thank you," replied the imper-
turbable man OF letters, I've got all
l want. Let me tell you"-remount-
ing mis- machine and wheeling round
adroitly as the Duke executed 7
species OF war dance in his direction
- thereU be two columns of Sin
gular Accident to an Engaged Pair,'
"A Duke In Difficulties in every
London paper tomorrow. Don't ex-
cite yourself"-with another swsrve
can't imagine how ridiculous you
look! Ta-ta! Sorry for the LADY,"
And went off in a cloud of dust
and evil odors; while Mrs. Mansel
wept. and the Duke cursed motors
and the inventors thereof to the third
and fourth generation with a vigor
worthy of a bargee.
IL was night when a cart deposited
the adventurers at Grifith's door. to
ind the mansion deserted by its own
er. who presently arriving, was re-
ceived with a painful lack of cordial
lty, and only by abject promises OF
tuIly disclosing his mystery managed
to restore tranquility. When the
wornout sufferers had sought a much
needed rest. he sat down in the sum.
mer darkness with Mansel to smoke
the pipe OF peace.
May come, too?" asked Victoria:
and the men made room for her be-
tween them. Now" said John. tell
us all about it..
Griffith looked at Victoria. Her
face was white. her eyes shone like
jewels; his voice was husky as he
began:
We'll, about five years ago I fell
In with a man-Jenks-yo remem-
Der him. Jack?"
Chap always blathering about
physic forces, and things OF that sort.
Fire away, old bOy!"
He lent me books. and held forth
about occult powers. will develop-
ment. and so on. until l was wild to
try some experiments myself. There
was a dodge he showed me-moving
a thing by just willing 1t to come to
you, and l resolved to do the same"
And"
Il did 1t, but it took twelve months
Of hard labor"
Gould you do It now?" asked John
Perhaps. Griffith fixed his eyes
intently on a book on the window
seat. The silence was tense; then the
volume jerked slightly, moved to the
edge Of the seat. and fell to the
ground.
BY Jove!" John drew a deep
breath.
You see. I couldn't bring it to
me? I'm losing the power. Shall
lose it altogether-Ive always felt
that-by telling about 1t. Well, l
worked on. living as asceticaIIy as
any hermit. until the idea seized me
of making car. whose motive power
should be the human will. l made a
model, and, when the thing proved
possible, came down here and gave
myself up to it. I wouldn't let other
hands fOnrh if 81 g&
saturated, so to speak with my will
power. l allowed no other interest
even to cross my mind; and perhaps
you can imagine what felt when one
night / sped out into the moonlight |
with that carlow lying shattered in |
he Brast-which obeyed my slightest |
wish, as if 1t had been a sentient |
hing"
His voice trembled under the in !
.ensity of the recollection. Victoria's |
hand rested for an instant on his |
sleeve and Griffith went on.
Il put that brass disk as a mis- |
eader; people imagined the motive |
cover was concealed by it, l wrote
he name of the place to which l was |
going, and the hour OF arrival, and |
Kept it before me. to avoid any vacil-
alton, or unconscious change of pur-
)ose; for l soon discovered that any
resolution or disturbing emotion in
my mind was promptly reflected in
he behavior of the machine. 1t
started off to-day simply in response
% a hasty wish"
You have been disturbed and ir-
-esolute during the last few days?"
lueried John
Yes; stronger. more absorbing
power has suddenly dominated my
ife."
1T is -" Victorias voice was
Tery soft.
"Love!"
silence fell upon the group, and
John left the two and wan
Tered out into the moonlight, return
ng to find Griffith in state OF &C
tatic blessedness, which rendered ex-