The weekly times-record. (Valley City, N.D.) 1912-1922, 1913-02-27

let them die as they mad lived, UNI
warned like those who are stricken In
their sleep. He had been criminal in
his thoughtlessness. Alternately ha
berated himself with savage venom or
prayed despairingly as he plunged
from street into alley and alley into
street as he sought by turnings and
doublings to escape from the things
which har:ttcil bin or ever side.
He stumbled from refuse cluttered
alley out into the light Of a broad
thoroughYare. sleekly Sroomed and
bordered by the houses ct the ctsy'A
more fortunate and better class. Hefa
1t was quiet and orderly az usual aad
in bis relief at having LEFT the 'rabtls
behind he breathed deeply Of the ~
grant air, Strengthened his hat and
hair and proceeded more lsisursly
upon his aimless way Before him 10
saw yard generously studded with
trees, from the limbs OF which pals
Japanese lanterns glowed in softly
tinted radiance. He paused and
glanced about a. he collected his
thoughts. Yes, 1t was the residence OF
Judge Fulton, and this was the lawn
party to which March. taking advan-
tage Of his own acquaintance with the
Fultons, had invited him in the name
Of Doris. He was near enough now to
see the forms that strolled carelessly
about or sat upon the summer seats
beneath the trees. near enough to even
catch tinkle Of laughter from some
softly cleaning white throat as the
lady responded lightly to the jest Of
her companion as to the horror SO
soon to come. He paused in indecision
20 return to the lights and sounds
from which he had Just escaped was
unthinkable, while before him, though
there was more skepticism than in the
rabble, there was also decency and
order. For moment his mind wa
vered between retreat to some soil
tary corner and q bold advance to the
companionship Of those beyond, then
with sudden determination he pressed
forward. threw open the gate and en-
tered.
March. espying the grizzled head and
tall. gaunt form Of his friend az he
slowly approached up the walk leading
to the house, spoke hurriedly into
Doris ear. 1T 10 Professor Desmond
-of course you have met him. You
know l took the responsibility Of In
viting him to drop In among us.
thought he might wish to be among
friends tonight in case-well, in either
case, you know" She smiled in swift
acknowledgment, and nowhere could
there be found smile sweeter than
Doris either in her light or sometimes
serious mood.
II want to thank you for asking him
to come. We will make him our lion.
I have always admired him, and had
known all this was to happen would
certainly have asked him to come, IL
the hope Of somewhat diverting his
mind as well as our own. He must
be under a greater strain even than
the rest of US, for he believes more
implicitly than we" She went lightly
forward, her hand outstretched, frank
welcome shining in her large hazel
eyes.
Professor Desmond am delight.
ed to be SO honored. Have you any
late news to encourage u.s." He shook
his head with grave smile as he first
bowed over her hand and then straight
ened up with his usual dignity and ran
his eyes over the assemblage.
mo, Miss Fulton, nothing more than
I have already announced" Silence
had fallen at his appearance. abrupt
and almost breathless. a silence that
came so suddenly that it left mouths
open and half uttered words lingering
upon lips, but already the spell was
rapidly dissipating and a dozen
tongues trembling in their eagerness.
Then the storm OF questions broke.
From every side and all at once came
EXPLANATIONS, greetings and swift IN
quiries as the guests came pressing
eagerly forward upon him, but Doris
tmperiously waving them back silenced
them until she had formally presented
him to those present whom he had not
heretofore met. That over, however,
the vocal outburst came again in CUES.
lions thick and fast, some serious and
filled with thought. some frivolous.
some nonsensical, yet each tinged with
the peculiar intonation Of highly strung
nerves. for despite their doubts rest
lessness was strong upon them. For
D moment he tried to answer them
serially.
"And is there really no hope for US.
professor-no hope at all Of escaping
your sky dragon3"
Yes. madam. Always where there
10 life there should be hope"
Il understand that you have stated
that this strange wandersr II abost
the diameter Of this state, and appears
to be body complete IN itself rather
than giant fragment torn from some
mass. Now how do you sxplain-"
Il beg your pardon. cir. I make no
attempt to explain"
you said It was apparently costing
from ont Of the center Of space. i
bad always thought that We were d
the exact center Of space" |
And SO we are. madam. 90, also,
10 everywhere elsa"