, 1921-04-21
The Impossible
Inventor
By R. A BAKER. .

The Childs sisters paused at the
sound Of hammering which issued
from 4 barn-like structure set some
distance from the woodland path they
were travelling.
Ruth. the younger, laughed aloud.
There's poor old Rhoderic invent
ing something" she said, with a strong
suspicion Of derision In her tone.
wonder what it can be IOWA lamp
that will burn the same electricity
twice or q w~heelbarrow without han
dles2"
Hilda, two years older. smiled for
a moment, but quickly a look of visit
fulness flashed to her dark face.
"Rhoderick Smith Is a genius" she
said gently, and seemed to sigh.
"Some day he'll invent something
worth while"
Ruth continued to laugh.
He'd better hurry, then. Nothing
he has invented so far has been a
financial success or has done anybody
In the world n good. He's impos-
sible."
Hilda was silent as they walked
along toward home. She was disap-
pointed because Rhoderic was not
making good at something, but she
would not admit 1t. She had been In
love with him a couple Of years g
and they had practically become en-
gagged. Then he became possessed with
4 mania for invention and gave up
his job as mechanic in a garage In the
city Of Dayton.
Now he was working IN a brand
new idea, shutting himself Off from
the world like Edison.
It'll make me rich-maybe," he
said enthusiastically three weeks ago
when Hilda Ia him the last time.
Then you and / can do What we
planned-unless you change your
mind"
In truth, Hilda was changing her
mind. She had lost confidence in
Rhoderic, had come to the conclusion
he was doomed to dream his life away.
burning up his energy in useless ex-
~periments, and another man had come
across her horizon.
Where the path converged with 4
NV tOct fNotAl |" AA(
Hilda and ruth met this man. He
was walking rapidly along, head erect,
arms swinging. His attire was a bus
mess suit with a check hat verged
on "loudness." His eyes always
snapped and he had an effulgent smile
ready at his command. This smile
spread cross his countenance when
he met the girls, bringing himself to
a sudden stop.
Afternoon. ladies. Whittier going?'
Home" said Ruth. Were taking
some oranges to Clifford"
Clifford was their invalid brother,
who had never walked and always had
made his way about In a wheel chair.
either Hilda or Ruth usually being the
motive power.
"Oh, Clifford" said the business-like
young man. TOO bad about him. Wish
1 could do something for him. Wait
till this new deal of mine turns out.
Maybe I'll be rich: and then Won
derful day. isn't it? May l call this
EVENING"" The question was directed
at Hilda. and she smiled and nodded.
Good" he said. ''This old towns
pretty dead, isn't 1t? Nothing to keep
1t awake except Rhoderick Smiths
noise. l heard a terrific hammering
from his machine shop tffis morning.
Bright chap, that; but his intelligence
is misdirected. I'd give him a job IL
he'd work at 1t, but he prefers to in
vent. l guess he'll never do anything
worth while for the human race. On
the other hand. Hook at me. Every
resort lot l sell here In Cloverdale is
doing somebody good. It provides a
way to fresh air for the smoke-inhal-
ing city ~dwellers. and 1t brings dollars
to the local merchants. I'll be the
making Of this town yet. Well. good
by I've got to run up to the city for
an hour"
''Good-by, Mr.. Howard" the girls
returned. and watched him hustle up
the street.
Before long the girls arrived at 4
neat Uncovered cottage, which was
their abode. Their father was county
clerk and that was the reason OF their
residence In Cloverdale. which was
the county seat. His salary was by
no means p~rincely. but the Chllds fam
lily enjoyed a good living.
Mrs. Childs was busy in the kitchen
when the girls entered. while Clifford
sat In a big armchair by a window,
reading a book. He was emaclated
and pale. but his rather attractive
countenance lighted up when he saw
his sisters. Clifford had tried ut
times to work In an Office, but his
frail constitution would not permit It
SO now he busted himself writing
poetry. some of which he had been
able to dispose OF for small sums. He
dearly loved ranges
Tomorrow afternoon he said.
..Iiun nnInn nut In Tho urnodn-for In