The Madisonian. (Richmond, Ky.) 1913-1914, 1914-01-06

well, Jack" he remarked, ut work |
ed out, to a second, almost. Now I'm |
certain"
AS though this breaking Of the 81
lence had released force hitherto !
held In repression, the room filed with
tumult and clamor, with crashing, |
banging and scurrying of heavy bodies.
A final conclusion shook the air. and
then. again abruptly, silence fell.
"Sayi" Hallowell's voice spoke up, a
trifle uncertainty I'll stand for most
any kind of dark seance, but this
particular spook business is getting on
my nerves. Are you there. Darrow?"
yes, I'm here answered the
scientist.
We'll, can you explain that phe-
nomenon?"
THAT" drawled barrow, a slight
note of laughter in his voice. was
that extraordinary upheaval of natur-
al forces known as Brother Mccarthy
going away from here-hastily."
Jack chuckled.
HE hit me on the way out" re-
marked that young man. IN testify
he was solid spook."
| The reporter was methodically strik-
ing match after match, but without re-
suit After a moment the acrid smell
of burning wooden rose in the air
"Are you dropping those matches?"
asked Darrow.
Sure; they're no good"
We'll, they're good enough to. burn
holes in McCarthy's rugs. Stamp
around little to put them out; and
quit it."
What next; and how long?" asked
Jack What is it? Have we gone
blind, or is it total eclipse, or what?"
81 don't know how long" came back
Darrow's voice calmly. Next we will
get out of the building. 1 want to make
some observations. Get hold of my
hand; Wen have to grope our way
out"
'If we could only get light" NUT
J tered Hallowell.
"You can't" stated barrow.
i They felt their way down the ten
flights of stairs like blind men. A few
inmates of the building they jostled.
or passed, or picked up on the way.
In the lower corridors Darrow halt
ed them.
Here's another thing" said he: IF
I'm right, we should run out of this
just eleven feet beyond the last ele-
, vator cage"
He felt his way along the grill, made
four PAGES forward, and uttered a lit
tie cry of satisfaction. The two men
: followed him blindly AS though step
/ ping from one room to another they
emerged into glazing daylight!
, Both involuntarily looked back. The
darkness hung there like curtain.
Just inside the outer walls of the build
l ing Already crowd had gathered to
observe This new and strange phe-
nomenon of the now celebrated Atlas
Building 1t was curious and ia
cetious crowd, but not awestricken, as
it had been at the first manifestations
: of this freakish upset of natural forces.
A man observing the flight of an
' aeroplane for the first times loses his
2 sense of strangeness inside of few
3 minutes; and yet flying has been since
3 the days of Icarus considered one of
the impossible achievements. So the
II general public of Manhattan were be-
] coming accustomed to reversals of
form in the affairs of the physical
a world. The frivolous majority, having
discovered nothing to be apprehended
;. from the phenomena save few hours
d helplessness, of a sort, and much to be
gained through the SAVIOR of novelty
; were inclined to an amused or ir
r ritated attitude, depending on the ex
e tent to which its occupations we're in
| terfered with. The minority took tc
religious meetings and interpretations
Darrow's exit, and that of his com
e panions, were greeted uproariously.
, please go way an let me sleep!'
: sang one, at the blinking men.
J. Here's another!" shrilled a gamin
7 Get up! The porter wants to make
up your BERTH"
| Several of the crowd, pending the
| usual arrival of the police to clear tbs
| corridor. had ventured through the
| wide portals, and were experimenting
| with this strange palpable quality O
/ darkness. One or two popped inside
4 the curtain, but emerged quickly. look
| ing little scared.
| A bright youth made the discover!
| that if one lighted match and step
/ ! ped within the blackness, the mattel
| was Immediately extinguished, bu
/ that upon emerging into daylight tn
| fame came up again. Some one hap
| pened along with plumbers gasolin
torch Immediately this was lighte'
and the experiment repeated. TIL
bearer of the torch, astonished at tn
| instant extinguishment of the flame
felt with his hand to see what coul'
be the matter. Instantly he uttered
4 yelp Of pain, and leaped outside. dis
I playing badly burned palm.
u There wasn't no fame; / swear IT.!
j he explained excitedly but she burr
q ed, just the same!' He rushed abou
| from one to another displaying his II
j jured palm to whoever would look,
barrow paid little attention to thi
VI gathering crowd. First of all. b
scanned paper he held in his hand
IF then plunged back again into tn
!" blackness.
10, lack Warford and HallOWell left tt