The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1911-11-09
The MARIAN INVADER

The t~ownspeople stood Ia Won.
derment about the big, bail shaped.
metallic object which had fallen on
the commons near the town during
the night. AS they watched. the
top OF the object began to slowly
rcyolyo,
Look cried Harry Crawford, to
his pretty sweetheart, Bertha Dun
bar, there's something or someone
inside,'
In d moment the top had been I'M
screwed sufficiently from within to
enable the living being inside 10
toDplc the coycr off onto the ground.
Then from the interior stepped d
being, fashioned in the shape OF a
man, but covered from head to toe
With a peculiar, tight-ftting metallic
appearing suit. On this beings
back reposed a tank, and in his ,.ona
he carried the end OF a tube al
tached TO. the tank.
The town policeman, otticious az
always, stepped up to the invader
and grasped him somewhat roughl,
by the arm.
Here, what're you doing herc
boz the policeman asked.
FoT answer the invader pointce
the muzzle of the hose at the OF
fetal. From the nozzle issued 8
thick, heavy, black vapor. AS the
policeman inhaled this he topplcd
over, writing i'll a frenzy. Fear
seized on the t~ownspeoplc and they
turned to run. The blooGshot eyes
of tic being swept the ranks of the
multitude before the people ran and
fastened themselves on the fair face
OF Bertha Dunbar. The look which
the invader gave, Bertha sent a cold
shirer up her lovers back
Come cried Harry, Somewhat
grufhy, lets get away from here"
AS he urged Bertha onward, the
girl. as though fascinated against
her will, cast many backward
glanccs at tho M%artian.S&
Not until Harry had seen Bertha
safely in her home did he breathe
freely again. Then he left her hur.
riedly to sec what the town authori-
tics intended 10 do about Kidding
the municipality of this dire invader.
lie had not been gone from Bertha
over Is minutes when a fear
stricken citizen ran up to him.
Your Girl has been kidnapped by
the Martian." this citizen cried.
Harry, With a few quick. storm
questions, learned that the Marian
a followed him TO Bertha's home
and, after Harry left, had grabbed
Bertha and made off With her for
the ba~ll-shaped object. Harry
rushed into a nearby shop, grabbed
a revolver and tore through the
town for the commons. On the con-
mons he saw a little ring OF como
gathered around the invaders bal!
aild he also saw the Martian roughly
throw the girl into the interior ot
the ball and then turn to face tls
people.
"Bertla!" Harry Grief in frenzy.
as he dashed up. A weak cry from
his sweetheart spurred him onward.
Harry jcrkcd his revolver from
$500 SRhSN oitl tlilu u ttIIIt ana
again at the Marian. The shots had
no effect. Then Harry sprang for
the invader. The latter directed the
fatal black vapor AT Harry. Harry
staggered backward, tackling the
Marian about tie legs in football
style. Back and forth, the Two
struggled. Finally, With a quick
movement, Harry threw the Marian,
nearly overcome, then again rushed
In. Quick as lightning Harry grab
bed the nozzle of the hose and dl-
rected The vapor at the invader until
the latter. with a final struggle died.
With a little. thankful cry of relief.
Bertha weakly clambered from the
bail and tainted in lIarry's arms
while the crowd cheered nightly. n