The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-03-22
Euenit1g Story

BY r. RAY BAKER.

stars, ana measured the density OF
celestial solids. and found spots on the
sun.
Almost any time of day or night
Gordon could be found lookingsinto the
reflectors of the big telescope. An en-
thusiastic star gazer and student was
Gordon Winslow, just out of college
with his degree.
However, it must not be supposed
that Gordon had no interests on the
terrestrial globe. He had a number
of such interests. and one in particular
had to do with the Summit Hotel.
where Jonas Hardwelf- reigned as pro-
prietor and his daughter held sway
as a breaker of young mems hearts.
Gordon's was among those that had
been crushed, and at times when he
was watching some distant world and
calculating the number of millions of
would wander and he would sigh deep
~, and his assistants would speculate
as to the difficulties the prof" was
meeting in the solution of a knotty
sidereal problem.
Well. it was a knotty problem-how
to get back into the favor of NIelen
Hardwell, for get back he was deter
mined to do. Gordon had been in her
good graces only a few months ago
more than her good graces. They had
been practically engaged, but relations
had been broken because a dance at
the Summit House and an observation
of Mercury were scheduled for the
same night. Gordon enjoyed dancing,
especially when Helen was his part
ner, but it was his duty to turn his
telescope on the planet, which was in
a position most favorable for terres-
trial inspection.
Very WELL" said Helen. IF you care
more for your old star than for me,
go ahead. 1 can find a partner"
That was the last time they had
been together. Helen at once began
weaving her charms about the rich
young men resorting at the hotel, and
soon she had nearly DIS many satellites
as Saturn, which boasts of eight in adj
dition to its rings.
Gordon wondered if Helen missed
the telescope at which she had sat
many an evening, listening to his dis
courses on the universe. Surely she
must, he decided, for size had display
ed enthusiasm over astronomy. If
both of them had not possessed more
than their share of stubbornness it is
likely they would have effected a re-
cancellations; that is, before, the
wealthy satellites began exerting their
influence.
Early in December Gordon became
interested in a celestial phenomenon.
Six of the planets were maneuvering
in their orbits so they would be align
ed on the same side of the sun. By
lions Gordon figured that on Decem-
Der II Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Sat
urn and Neptune would form a con-
junction, while far on the other side
OF the sun Uranus would hold forth,
an outcast. Off at a tangent from
the 1ined-up planets would be the
earth.
Gordon was not the only as
tronomer waiting for the conjunction.
In fact, some of them predicted
storms, earthquakes and other phe-
nomena on the earth due to the
strong gravitative pull to which the
sun and earth would be subjected.
These predictions were exaggerated by
excitable persons until it became gen.
orally known that the end of the
world was scheduled for December
IT.
Gordon smiled at these prophecies
of disaster, but said nothing. He, had
no fears for the safety of the globe
which was his home, for he knew the
same conjunction Of heavenly bodies
had occurred before, altho not within
the last few thousand years.
The settlement on the mountain was
agog with excitement as result Of the
predictions, which they read in the
papers. The superstitious were wor-
ried; others were interested because
of the diversion, while others became
enthusiastic because of some scientific
germ that existed in them.
Gordon watched the planets man.
euyer for alignment, but kept silence,
altho the settlement was waiting to
hear from him. 1t is not many viii
lagos that can boast of an authority
on planets.
AS he studied the heavens Gordon
unconsciously placed himself in the
position of Uranus. He was an out
cast from Helen HardwelPs affections;
he was alone, far at one side, while
1,az -i1f1 n 7i.-nr fo 10
Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn
and Neptune. They were pulling to-
gether for her.
On the night of December 16 about
II o'clock, Gordon sat in his study
reading. There was no particular rea-
son to watch the skies, because the
planets were on the other side of the
earth and would not be visible to him
until shortly before sunup.
Gordon had a book on economics be-
fore him. However. he did not read
long. Dreams of Helen HardweIl in
terfered.
He head the door crack and looked
toward it, to see Helen standing there,
smiling.
please don't be angry with me-
she pleaded. IT know I'm intruding;
but have just got to learn something
about the-the-end of the world.
1.-THE town is just crazy about the
big show the planets are going to put
on" she continued, advancing into the
room somewhat timidiy. Are there
really going to be earthquakes and
things? Up at the dance at the hotel
the folks are waiting for me. You
see, they sent ne as a delegate of one
to find out what's going to happen.
You won't let me return and report
failure. will you, 1Gordon?'
Gordon stood up. smiling.
Certainly not Helen. You're well
come to all the information I can give.
It Is said that such a conjunction of
planets will cause sun spots. If that
is true there will be sun spots as the
result of the present situation in the
solar system. It also is said that sun
spots cause storms and earthquakes.
II that theory is correct, there GER
tainly will be storms and earthquakes
as a result of the alignment of the
spheres"
She seated herself and he did IiI-a