Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-31

more good, and OF this world desire
nothing more. Prepare within the next
three hours to appear before a
mightier throne than mine"
Percy Darrow, reading this, said to
Jack Warford. 1T Is time to act" and,
accompanied by the younger man,
quietly left the room.
The reader Of imagination-and no
other will read this tale-must figure
to himself the island Of Manhattan
during the next two hours. The entire
population, nearly tried to leave 1t at
once. When only the suburban dwell
lers, urged simply by the desire for a
hot dinner, attempt to return home be-
tween and 6, the ways are congested
enough. Now, stricken with the fear
OF death, the human cattle fought
frantically to reach the inadequate
exits Of the great theater Of tragedy.
There was fighting in the streets.
and panic, and stark rumor, OF
course; and there was heroism, and
GOODNESS. and the taking of thought.
To the little group OF men in the top
floor of the Atlas building the roar of
riot came up like the thunder of the
orchestra before the rise Of the cur
tain. Most of the people in the streets
fled from danger they did not under
stand. This little group In the wireless
office realized clearly what still and
frozen dissolution the rising Of the cur
tain would disclose. They were not
many; and they did not know what
they were to do, If anything; but they
had not run away.
E1HridCo uoc fhnro l0Nkinu Sumo
what flustered for the first time in his
that had employed him. Simmons sat
calmly at his post, and of all the re.
porters Hallowell alone had stood by.
He had faith in barrow, and he knew
that In the Despatch office little
handful of men stood in the shadow
of death on the off chance of the big.
gest scoop since Noah's flood.
The four solid citizens looked at one
another. The oldest turned to Eldridge.
Then your opinion is that the city
Is doomed?"
Il can offer no other solution, sir, y
said the scientist. ut is at last evident
that this mans power over ethereal
vibrations extends to those forming
heat rays II this is so, it follows that
he can cut off all life by stopping all
heat. If this threat Is carried out. we
can but look forward to repetition
on a large scale of the city hall at
fair"
The aged financier now spoke to
Simmons.
"And the last report from the
searchers?" he asked formally.
"The search is being pushed, sir
replied the operator, "by twenty thou
sand men. There remains some fifty
miles Of country to go over, Mr.
Lyons"
Lyons turned his shaggy head
toward a younger. slim, keen-eyed man
Of fifty.
"And the city will, in your judg
ment. Mr.. Perkins, take how long to
empty?"
"Days-in the present confusion
said Perkins shortly. 1--WE can move
only a limited percentage. Thank God
most Of our men are standing by.
think all our rolling stock Is moving
Lyons nodded twice.
"And you?" he asked the third o.
the party, a stout young man OF thirty
eight or 50.
How many stations are on the job
Simmons" asked this man.
"All but two, SIR replied the
operator. ID and P don't answer.
guess they beat It"
How do they report the bulletir
mem"
ION the job" replied the wireless
man.
The stout young man turned t.
Lyons.
"Well, sir" said he, II don't know
whether we or the hand of death viii
be called on to quiet them h
paused for an instant with upliftet
hand; the roar and crash and wall o
the city-wide riot surged into the gal
OF his silence but II 1t is we," HI
went on, "our little arrangements arr
made. My men know what to do, ant
nv men are on the job" he concluded
proudly.
Lyons nodded again.
1--WE have all done our BEST" sail
he. "Now, gentlemen, do not SCI
how we can possibly accomplish any
thing more by remaining here. M!
automobile Is In concealment In thu
old stable in the rear of 127. My zach
is standing off the Battery awaiting
! signal. to come In. We have" h
glanced at his watch, "over an hou
before the threatened catastrophe.
He looked up expectantly. The mel
all glanced uneasily at one another
except Simmons, who stared at hi
batteries stolidly.
Come, gentlemen" urged Lyons
after a moment. There is really no
much time to lose. for you know tn
yacht must steam beyond the DANCE
zone."
''Beat IT," spoke up Simmons, a
last. There amt any good Of 20,
here. II anything comes In, I cal
handle It. It's just case Of send GU
! order to your bulletin men,"
II think I'd better stay" Observer
Paige, the stout young man. with al
air of apology. II know I'm not muc!
use; but I've placed men, and they'l
stick; and If this freeze-out PROPOSE
ton goes through-why, they're in II
and
"That's how feel" broke, ii
L u - Gel