Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1913-09-17
cepy sA+ i ~ sy n.rry 1rvins er.e1.s-
Barbara d the Snow

: & he sno1sa;
Harry yIrvi1,s Greene
ed, to err-especially when dealing
with infinite distance and the mystert-
Gus laws of space. But of course all
we can do Is wait and see how 1t
turns out. And that makes me think
OF another matter. Miss Fulton Is go
ing to give a little lawn party tonight
at their home, Japanese lanterns and
all that, and l had intended to be one
OF the also present. 1t suggests itself
to me that one might as well be out IN
the open as cooped UP somewhere In
case your mysterious wanderer arr
rives, therefore I shall 60 as l had
originally. planned. !" II.
"By all means. In case there was q
collision anywhere hereabouts It
would probably make little or no diff
ference where one happened to be:
Even If the world withstood the shock,
an area as large as several states
would be buried miles deep In the
debris, and how far beyond that area
life would be destroyed, no one can
say" \. !.
Then would suggest this. In the
face OF such an event we might a.
we'll be as resigned az people can who
half expect to be hit on the head by
q world at any moment-especially for
the women's and children's benefit.
We don't want any panics, at least be-
fore we are hurt. Personally speak
ing, I believe can make my peace
as we'll when am mingling with my
friends as I could alone in a garnet
and upon my knees. and I imagine you
can do the same. Therefore 4 wish
you to come also. Doris will wei
come you, and l have no doubt but
that the timid ones will regard you
something in the light OF a protector
and be more at ease. VIII you come :"
They paused in front Of the hotel
for which Desmond had oeen bound
and he ran his eyes over the face and
figure OF his friend as he debated as
to accepting the invitation, mentally
commenting for moment on the Wig
orous strength and strong, handsome
face OF this young civil engineer who
was SO rapidly winning fame and for
tune by his skillfulness and level
headed Judgment. And as for Miss
Doris-he had often thought her to
be the prettiest girl he had ever met,
Doris of the hazel eyes and wayy
chestnut hair, and he really did want
to see her again. And while at any
other time he would have accepted
with alacrity, now with his threat
hanging 50 heavily over them he was
uncertain as to whether he could
with propriety place himself in their
midst Also, there would be- those
who-in friendly manner to be sure
yet who as rank skeptics would be
certain to poke ridicule at him, at
last untfi the premonitory disturb
ances which must to q certainty usher
in 30 momentous an event began. Yet
on the other hand to sit alone in some
obscure room with four blank walls
surrounding him, retreating like an
animal to his cave, upon this night
which he believed would he the most
(eventful of any since the dawn of
the earth's history, or to wander at
random amongst strangers and be
pointed out on every side by vulgar
fingers and be compelled to run the
gauntlet Of their deriston and abuse
seemed still more undesirable. He
cleared his throat. still uncertain as
to what he should say. n va
IS r Az ~ ~
Use now as am uncertain as to just
what my movements will be during
the next few hours. But I still bear
it In mind and II decide to come
i will make my appearance some.
where between eight and nine. In
any event, convey my best wishes to
the company-especially to Miss Full
ton-and tell them all thatFI sincerely
hope that I have suddenly become en-
tirely irresponsible for my sayings.
AS for you personally, I hope to see
you in the near future, whenever and
wherever that future may be. He
grasped Alan's hand, pressed It for
q moment and then walked quickly
away, leaving the other gazing after
him with meditative eyes. Then with
a shrug Of his shoulders which might
have indicated either doubt or resig-
nation to the inevitable March went
his way.
Scarcely had Desmond taken his
seat in; the dining room 3of the hotel
than he became uncomfortably aware
that he was the center Of interest Of
all eyes. A hush fell, several walters
crowded about him and stood staring
with open mouths until with motion
Of disgust he motioned all save one
away. From nearby tables ladies and
gentlemen laid down their table i'm
Elements and gazed at him with little
better manners and full as much in
science as had the menials who served
them From several quarters little
ripples of laughter arose, half toler-
ant, half haunting. and he felt the
blood rush to his cheeks in full tide
as he lowered, his eyes to the menu.
Anger began to arise within him, not
at the servants, but at these ignorant
though we'll dressed vulgarians who
stared at him so insolently or Knocked
him to his very. teeth, and for the first
time In his life he knew how 1t felt
to be one man against a. world. And
well he knew how unforgiving, how
merciless. how cruel they would be
forever afterwards should his dire
y / s =. :