The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-05-23

u DceH SOOQ llne, InOuSH, ndSnL frs Roger? It's really been the year of my life I've lived every minute, and I've done SO many things I've dreamed of. And we'll all go to- gether.'
 What do you plan to do, dear heart?" he asked, his tenderness stifling him, for he must not undermine that bright courage Would you rather stay up?'
 She shook her head with decision. "No, in- deed. We must all go to bed as if nothing were going to happen. And I had dinner late purposely. Will you tell the children to 20 now, Roger? I'll go in later and hear their prayers"
 But you won't be able to sleep, Alma" her husband objected
 Her fingers closed tight over her sleeping powders. "Yes, I will" she responded "Telf the children there's lemonade for them to- night, if they get to bed quick"
 And the Professor wondered why he could not stay awake He had gone to bed to ob1ige Alma, but he had expected to pretend sleeping only. He craved to be on his feet when the end came; he wanted to feel the crack of worlds, to see the glare-but this queer feeling strange man could sleep as he was rushing on eternity!
 few hours later Mrs. Wilder awoke, and Tn rush the realization of their doom came to her. She was awake, and all alone. The powders had failed to work, and there were none left. MT. Wilder was sleeping deeply. She began to tremble. She would feel the ter rible shock-a slight tremor shook the house. Then everything was still. It had sounded like the sunrise signal the forts give Could it be possible? She turned on the sfrouded night lamp. It was seven o'clock What had hap pened to the comet?
 In an instant she was on her feet, and the next minute the window shades were letting in reluctant, foggy day. The street below was ful of casual, unsuspecting people.
 Roger, wake upr' she cried She shook him in her excitement. "It's tomorrow; it's the first of December, and nothing has hap pened. The comet must have been detained somewhere, or gobbled up. Oh, do wake upp
 The Professor sat up, the effect of the drug slowly leaving him. Then his mind grasped the significance of the gray sky through which torpid sun was trying to shine. Instantly he was out of bed, struggling into his clothes
 Roger, where are you going? Oh, don't leave me!'
 ''Ill be back immediately" shouted her fius- band from the lower hall Something has happened to that comet"
 To keep their excitement away from the children Mrs. Wilder had breakfast at the usual hour and she.was still at the table when her husband returned. She sent the children away hurriedly. The Professor sank into his chair.
 s'Ta11 d;,+e To- ing?"
 His eyes were dazed "You were right to advise my not announcing it," he said. "It's the queerest fluke We missed it by hair Why are your teeth chattering SO? Where's all your courage gone?"
 For Mrs. Wilder was trembling violently.
 q don't like comets to be so-familiar," she sobbed. ''What do you mean by hair, Rogera How near is it to us this mnutei Is there any danger of its coming back? A million miles way-million-pi-"
 Presently she dried her eyes. "Well, let's enjoy to-day" she said, "before the servants go."
 Before the servants go," he echoed. .'Where are they going?"
 Anywhere III space-1ke the comet, she easped Then she rang the bell, her eyes talk ing sensuous pleasure in the picture the maid gave in her black gown and white apron, the coffee streaming from the silver urn she car red.
 There was loud peal at the door-bell, and look of sudden fear leaped to Mrs. Wilders eyes.
 "What is it, dear?" asked the Professor. You're all unstrungp
 The maid returned, leaving pile of letters on the tray. "All for you, Mrs. Wilder"
 Alma glanced over the envelopes, and shud- dered She exchanged one long look with the Professor. For the bills had come!