The Press., 1913-04-09
By Wireless A Story Illustrating a
 Theory
By EDWARD KENYON

A great deal has been spoken or writ
 ten about the power of the imagina-
 t1on. Certain stories are said to be great imaginary works or wonders of originality. Then we hear 1t stated that truth is stranger than fiction. Certainly it is, for the imagination is simply the weaving together of certain truths. In other words, imagination is not thing of itself, but a blending of things.
 This is as clear as a stack of black cats seen through an impenetrable fog, isn't 1t? We'll, listen to the story I have to tell and possibly you shall see the cats through the fog. A little light may at the outset be cast on my prop osition by the statement that a quar- ter of a century ago there could have been no such story. No brain could have imagined it. And yet in the be- ginning of this twentieth century, aft CT man had existed on the earth many thousands of years, I have passed through experiences which if they 1 could have been conceived of in the nineteenth century would have been considered highly imaginative.
 But to my story. was wireless Op- orator on the Tartaric, an ocean liner. We had left strike of seamen in port and were provided with not more than half a crew. The consequence was that before we were long out they had been worked to a condition that many of them, yielding to a natural requirement, were sinking to sleep at their posts.
 The night was fine, the stars blinked overhead, but thin mist had settled on the surface of the water. was in my wireless office waiting for another half hour to pass before shutting it up and turning in. Suddenly I felt shock. Like a flash of the electric cur rent handled came a realization of what had happened. The watch in the crows nest had gone to sleep and we had collided with either an iceberg or a ship. I sprang to the door of my cubby hole, threw 1t open and saw great black hulk drifting slowly away from us. had been right in my diag- nosis. The watch had gone to sleep, the signals of an approaching vessel had not been seen, and we had col Iided.
 What became of the ship we struck we did not know at the time. She had passed away from us in a sinking con- dition and went to the bottom. Upon examination of our own vessel an inn mense hole was found to have been made in the side, and there was dan ger of the bulkhead separating the compartment from the next giving way.
 How I sat for three hours at my in strument repeating the letters c o D Come quick-danger) and giving our latitude and longitude, how ships sped toward us, how they came too late, has been told in other similar cases, and will not dwell upon them. One thing will mention, and only one. Among those who during those anxious hours from time to time crowded around my booth, tnquiring by anxious looks if succor was coming, was struck by the appearance of girl who seemed un- der far better control than the others. She asked me how long I would stick to my instrument, and replied, ''T1ll it can no longer be worked" An 4n- terest in me and the responsibility rest ing upon me seemed to override a sense Of her own personal danger.
 When the ship had gone down, float ing in the water I seized an imprO- vised raft that had lost its occupant. saw by the light of early dawn the face of this girl turned toward me with an appeal for help. My support was barely enough for one, but could not resist that appeal. I extended a hand and pulled her aboard.
 From the raft we were taken into a boat fin which were only three other persons alive, and they died during the long period in which we were exposed I lived, and the girl barely lived. Then came a wind that blew in westward, and at last we were overturned in breakers. How in my weakened con- dition I managed to drag my compan- ion beyond the waves do not know.
 On looking about me, what was my astonishment to see not far away wireless station, it's uprights extend ing far up toward the clouds. Not knowing where we were. I could not tell what station 1t was. No one was near with whom to leave the girl that might bring succor. Indeed, I did not know whether I was on an island or the mainland or whether the place was inhabited
 Nevertheless there was but one thing for me to do-leave her and go for help. On approaching the station was surprised not to see any one. Glancing up at one of the posts. saw that 1t had been shivered. doubtless by light ming. Entering the operating hut, there lay the dead body of man. sur. missed that he had been killed by the bolt that had struck the post.
 There were supplies on hand. and. taking what needed to revive my com panion, returned to her. and, after getting her into condition to warrant a removal. carried her to the station. She could not walk from weakness and was examining her arm which had been crushed. and I did not like the looks of it. Since there was no surgeon at hand made calls on the wireless in- strument and received a reply from a ship some 800 miles at sea. 7 asked l the operator if there was surgeon aboard, and at his reply that there was l l begged him to call the doctor to the l wireless office.
 Upon being notified that the doctor | was present l described the appear ance of Miss Mainwaring's arm, and, l after answering several questions ask ed by the doctor, was informed that l it was evident gangrene was setting in | and if the arm was not amputated the | patient would probably die.
 NII,o ci+11okiovo woe oS4l,on