Atlanta Georgian. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1912-1939, 1913-10-21

|
ance OF strong cord, and four bulky
packages were added to the first small
one.
They were heavy, too, weighing sew
side by side close to the wall beneath
the front window, he suddenly realized
an unforeseen difficulty.
II these shreds of matter-the mere
husk as 1t were, of the meteor-were
so ponoerous. what would be the weight
of the meteor itself? How could ne
nope to lift 1t from the hole in which
It lay-how convey it from Johnson's
News TO q new and safer ha bitatio
He might as well endeavor to move an
unwilling elephant.
The thought chilled him. For the
first time since his parting interview
with Mr. Abingdon, Philip experienced
dread of failure. With something OF
panic in his blood, he snatched the can
die and ran hastily into the yard He
knelt and he'd the light low in the ex-
cavation. Then he cried aloud
what! Am l so ready to lose faith
in mother?"
For the huge metallic mass-so big
that it would not enter the bore of the
largest cannon known to modern gun
nery-waS split asunder in all directions.
Its assures gaped widely as If to mock
at him. The rain and steam had done
their work well. 1t was even possible
that he would not need the spade. but
would be able to pick out each sepa-
rate chunk with his hand.
Instantly he put the thought into ex-
ecution, and succeeded in lifting several
pieces to the yard level. He noted that
they were gorged WITH the okIlI white
pebble, some being the size oApigeon's
eggs. He could not help comparing
them in his minds eye with the colec-
ton now lodged in Isaacstein's safe. II
those were worth fifty thousand pounds,
these must be of fabulous value.
Any other person in the wide world
might have been excused if he pinched
himself or winked furiously, or took
out the god-filled tobacco pouch for
careful inspection, to assure himself
that he was not dreaming Not so,
Philip. The only dominant feeling in
his brain was one of annoyance that he
should have doubted, for one single in
slant, that means would be given him TO
secure absolute and undisputed control
of his treasure.
But there remained the problem OF
weight. His original idea was to wrap
the actual body of the meteor in the
stout sack he obtained from O'Brien,
and then inclose all his valuab'es in
tin trunk which he would purchase next
morning. Any ordinary trunk would
certainly be spacious enough, but its
phenomenal weight would unquestiOn-
sired. and II would need two strong
men to lift it.
This portion of his plan needed to be
entirely remodeled, and he was now
pounds. save one expended. reposed in
his pocket. With money all things, or
nearly all things. were possible.
Owing to the cramped space in which
the meteor lay it was no small task
to bring 1t to the surface in sections.
But he persevered. BY strenuous en-
deavor he accumulated an astonishing
pile OF iron ore studded with diamonds.
looking not unlike almonds in brown
cake, and the guttering candle held low
in the hole. There was good deal Of
debris at the bottom, and the depth
was now over four feet. TO reach to
its full extent he was compelled TO jam
his head and shoulders into the ex-
cavation and feel blindly with one hand,
so he rightly concluded that a final ex-
animation might be left until daylight.
BY this time he was hot and COW
himself in front of the fire, and changed
into his new clothes
He did not possess a looking glass,
but he felt sure that he presented a
remarkably different appearance when
attired In a neat serge suit, a clean
impulse was TO throust his discarded
garments into the fire, but eminent
prevailed and he folded them into
parcel.
went out TO his exceeding surprise
he discovered that it was nearly 8
oclock-tme had indeed flown.
The shops in the Mile End road open
early and close late. He entered
restaurant where he was unknown,
passing, as matter of policy, the cof-
fee stall Of his kindly helper Of those
former days now so remote in his
crowded memories. After eating
hearty meal, for which he was thor
oughly prepared, he rendered a SOW
ereign In payment.
The proprietor barely glanced at him.
Philip was now well dressed, accord
ing to local ideas, and his strong, erect
figure, his resolute face, added two or
three years to his age when conrrasted
with the puny standard Of 10 as set by
the poverty stricken east End.
He had forgotten to buy neckte
and new pair of stockings. These
omissions he now rectifed. and he also
purchased a warm, dark gray travelling
rug, several yards OF drugget, ball OF
Irvine and a pair Of scissors. A couple
OF stout but worn leather portmanteaux
caught his eye.
More Planning.
"Those are cheap" said the salesman
quickly, "only fifteen shillings each"
'T'm not sure / can afford so much"