Rocky Ford enterprise. (Rocky Ford, Colo.) 1887-1950, 1914-03-20


mortal terror of the non-existent third
rail danger, CROPPED their way painfully
to the stations. With inconceivable
swiftness the mephitic vapors gather
ed. Strong men staggered fainting
into the streets. When revived they
told dreadful tales of stumbling over
windows of bodies there below.
Through the gathering twilight OF
the streets. dusky and shadowy. fitted
bat-like the criminals of the under
world. What they saw. that they
took. Growing holder. they progress
ed from pocket-picking to holdups.
from holdups to looting. The police
reserves were all out; they could do
little. Favored by obscurity. the
thieves plundered. 1t would have
needed a solid Gordon OF officers to
have protected adequately the retail
district. Swiftly guerrilla warfare
sprang up. Bullets whistled. An
archy raised Its snaky locks and peer
ed red-eyed through the darkened
streets Of the city.
Here and there fire broke out. Men
on bicycles brought in the alarms:
then. as twilight thickened. men on
foot. Chief Croker promptly estab-
lished lookouts In all the tall towers.
as watchmen used a hundred years
ago to watch the night.
At eight o'clock, two hours after
the inception of the curious phenom-
ena, the condition suddenly passed.
The intimation came to the various
parts of the city in different ways.
Strangely enough. only gradually did
the lights and transportation facilities
resume their functions. Most of the
dynamos were being inspected by
puzzled experts. Here and there the
blazing of group of lights. the ring
ing OF bell, the response of a volt
or ammeter to test, limited to the mas
tiers Of the lightnings that their rebel
lious steeds again answered the bit.
Within a half-hour the city's illum-
nation again reflected softly from
the haze of the autumn sky: the clang
of the merry trolley. the wall Of the
motors siren again smote the air.
Malachi Mccarthy having caught
a ride on friendly dray. arrived home.
At eight ten his telephone bell for the
first time tangled its summons. Nc
Carthy answered 1t.
I'm Simmons. the wireless opera
tor" the small voice told him. Say!
There's lot Of these fool messages in
the air again. You know what they
said last night about six O'Clock. and
what happened"
Let's have EN-" growled Nc
Carthy.
Here she is: Mccarthy, will you
do as tell you? Answer. Remember
the sign at six o'clock It's signed
M"
Where did that come from?" asked
the boss.
Cant tell. but somewheres a long
ways on"
How do you know that?"
by the sound"
How far-about?"
Might be anywhere"
Can you get an answer back?"
II think 80. Can't tell whether my
spark will reach that far. can send
out a call for M"
We'll. send this" said Mccarthy.
Go to hell"
On the evening of the phenomena
afore mentioned, Percy barrow had re-
turned to his apartments, where he
lad dressed unusually early. and by
daylight. This was because he had
a dinner engagement uptown. 1t was
an informal engagement for a family
dinner at seven o'clock. but Percy had
been requested by one Of the mem
bers 10 come at about six. This was
because the other members would pre-
sumably be dressing between six and
seven.
The young man found fire blazing
on the hearth. although the evening
was warm. A graceful girl sat look.
ing into the flames. She did not rise
as the scientist entered, but held out
her hand with an air of engaging
frankness.
sit down." she invited the guest.
This is fearful. and wonderful time
to ask you TO venture abroad in your
dress clothes. but wanted to see you
most particularly before the rest of
the family comes down"
You are singularly beautiful wom-
an" observed Darrow In a detached
manner. as he disposed his long form
gracefully in the opposite armchair.
The girl looked at him sharply.
That is intended as an excuse or
explanation-not in the least as a COM
pliment," barrow went on.
You would not be so obiliging. If
I were not-beautiful?" shot back the
girl THAT is indeed not compli-
mentary."
81 should be exactly as obliging."
amended barrow lazily, but should
not feel SO generally satisfied and
pleased and rewarded IN advance. I
should have more of a feeling of vir-
tue. and less of one Of Measure"