The evening world. Newspaper, February 4, 1922, Page 7

ee Sot ae Le Ss + a ¥ THE RVENING WORLD'S FICTION SECTION, SATURDAY, FEBRUARY. 4, 1929. 8 ing was beyond my reach. But, Sirius, that was three long years ago. "T packed my magnum opus, the la- bor of a decade, in an incredibly small tin box and left this box iwith my books until I could find a place to continue my work.” URING the July nighfs that fol- lowed, the smoky lamp burned long in the Annex. The man was computing an invisible speck—a tiny thing-eompared to space, and yet no less than 60,000,000 miles in length, an object many hundred times rarer than the atmosphere of the earth. Centuries had passed since it had crept across the orbit of Neptune at the snail's pace of a few hundred yards a minute; but now it was hurt- jing toward our sun with ever increas- ing velocity that would exceed at its maximum more than a million miles an hor... John Temple was taking into ac@ount facts that marked the birth of Mithridates, he was weighing the planets at the end of a pencil, he was computing the orbit, the. velocity, the perihelion passage of a comet, On a mid-July night he said to his dog, “Sirius, we own these acres to the centre of the earth, and all the way to the furthest star. A very fine piece of property, indeed! I was looking for a place within my means, where I might work undisturbed. I wrote Mr. Marsdon to forward iay books and pa- pers. But the following day I caa- celled the request for one of the word's favorite pastimes had inter- vened, and I was destined to view the greatest drama in the world’s history from the top of a water cart. My duty was to care for two horses and bring water to the kitchen whether water was to be had or not. On a day in October I went to look for our dimin- ished mess Hine. That night the coffee reached all that was left of our mien; but on the return trip my two faithful antmals together with the car were wholly demolished and it was thought at first that this was also the case with me. But after a blur of a year and a half of white bandages, weights and fodoform, my repair was complete— save only for the weakened condition you smiled upon a month ago when I tried to lift the bag of salt. “I went to the college and there found that Mr. Marsdon was abroad for special study. I called upon Dean Thomas and was greeted as one from the grave. Word had been received that I had been killed in France. A gold star had been affixed to the col- lege service flag. However, the dean was a diffrent man. On the campus a chapel was being erected in memory of the old gentleman who had pro- pounded the question concerning Da- moiseau and Pontecoulant. “The dean had handed me a volume, and was pointing out that ‘Prof. Mars- don had dedicated it to my memory. I looked at the chapters. The book that was to have been my magnum opus had been published. And the name that it bore as its author was Prof. Henry Marsdon, , ; .” HERE were week-end parties at Rockhouse the last two weeks in July and a house party the second week in August. Cath- erine Farrell, a vivacious little artist, was easily persuaded to stay over. “Your farmer man,” laughed Cath- erine. She picked up a portfolio con- taining sketches. “The second one, I did it this afternoon from the garden wall.” Evalyn examined the sketch in the moonlight. Catherine slipped a glance at her hostess, “As a matter of fact, Evalyn, you're half in love with this farmer person.” Evalyn laughed, “I've been in love only twice tn my life.” “Tell me,” insisted Catherine, “A ‘boy on a street corner in New York. A boy with a brass telescope who said he was going to write his name among the s/.\'s," said Evalyn, “Did he do it? And who was the “other?” “He did,” said Evalyn. “And the other was the same boy thirteen years later,” “Evalyn! When, how and where did he write his name among the stars?” “In France two years ago,” said Eva- lyn soberly. “A gold star in a colle- giate service flag.” URING the latter part of August Evalyn spent a week in the city, and John Temple spent three indescribable afternoons learning to cradle under the tutelage of Ulptus Tucker. Upon his hilltop he confided in Sir- ius: “Bessie told me the other day that the purpose of her mistress in the city was to purchase wedding clothes. And that night it occurred to me that my labor of the past years has well served two of the three purposes that prompt- ed it. First, its scientific value has not been lessened because the book bears anothen name than my own In the second place, I could not have con- nected it more closely with the young lady who inspired my labor than by having it bear her husband’s name, But the third purpose of the book has not been fulfilled, and in order to reo- tify this and also to keep the unfor tunate incident from embittering Dr. Marsdon’s life, I have written him a letter that he will receive upon his re- turn to America, And in this I have asked that he substitute for the prea- ent dedication a line to my father’s memory. There are no words, my friend, that I shoul rather have spoken of me than the four that were true of him, The Aedication will read: ‘To the Memory of Rokert Temple Eminent Mat'ematician and Uneom- pron:.sing Scholar!” When Evalyn returned, John helped her out of the car and loaded himself down with suitcases and all the bun- dies that Bessie could not carry. “Just drop everything in the front hall, John. I want to go around and see things.” When they reached the lower meadow, John picked up his scythe “I've finished all the cutting except “I left this And he this strip,” he announced. standing to show you.” cradled a long wide swath while the girl followed with exclamations: “It's wonderful! How'd you learn? It’s @ miracle!” lt was dusk, John was discussing with Evalyn the advisability of chang ing the food for the chickens, when &@ yelp came from the _Toadway. aa automobile flew past’ with lighta streaming. “It’s Princess Blue Mouse” cried the gir. “It’s Princess. . . ” But the chow ran to them whining. “No,” said the man, “It ts Sirtus” He laid the inert animal on the grass. Then he turned silently and went to his own little house. Late that evening Evalyn came to him, John was stting by the table ip the dark. “I telephoned Mr. Tucker,” gaid the girl, “and we've buried Sirtus on the hill—your hill and his,” and she stole away quietly. During the fortnight that followed, John Temple strove to formulate & simple philosophy—in tune at once with the eternal suns and the little creatures of the earth, Then came 2a warm September night. Once a year, when Rockhouse is open, the Ridge and the Valley meet and dance together there—an old and happy custom. The dancing platform was nearing completion beneath the elms; oaterers had arrived and electricians were busy. But John Temple down at the brook back of the barn was scrubbing the farm implements with grass and sand. He put everything in order and sought out Evalyn. Evalyn wes cutting chrysanthe- mums. John carried the flowers from table to table, while the girl arranged them in slender crystal vases, An automobile swung noisily into the driveway. Catherine Farrell jumped out unalded and was folowed by Will Brooks and another man—as pallid and drawn as the Prometheus that stole the celestial fire. Evalyn waved her hand and glanced from Dr. Marsdon back to her gardener. John was standing erect, his bearded, sun- burned face rigidly expressionless, Evatyn walked slowly to her guesta . Dr. Marsdon kissed Evalyn. “Whe is the composite of Lincoln and Grant?” he smiled. “I really don’t know,” Evalyn re« plied, “We call him ‘John.’” And every one talked at once as they went toward the house. OHN TEMPLE walked dowly to Bethel. The distance fy seven mile He paused before a window flanked by a barber pole of red and white On his homeward journey darkness came down and when he reached Rockhouse Corners unusual sounds drifted to him—muste and faint mugh- ter. He thought of a night more than three years ago; the clear tenor voice that had sung a parody—no, a re quiem. Since then curious experiences on top of a water cart, hospital the theft of his years of labor. Even now great telescopes were pointed heavenward at an interloper that had appeared among the planeta, Soon it would be visible to the naked eye. He had computed tt. It bore his name, He entered the Annex. In the rays of his smoky lamp he packed his books into large wooden boxes. A knock sounded on the door, and Evalyn tn a dancing frock entered. For a moment NEXT SATURDAY’S COMPLETE STORY PUNCH and JULIE ' By FRANK CONDON Illustrated by Will B. Johnstone ORDER YOUR EVENING WORLD IN ADVANCE dhe looked upon the man crouching over @ great ig hy age at hig thoughtful head, face, like a deep qood-carving, with its close cropped beard... + , “Please get a box and come to the barn at once,” -Evalyn pleaded. “The Princess 1s going to be a mother.” John Temple lifted a large box of precious, carefully packed volumes and turned it upside down on the floor, “win this do?” Skirting the lawn and its dancers, they reached the barn and filled tho box with fresh straw and carried it to the pumphouse. “Put the box in ths corner where it will be dark in the daytime, Don’t leave until I come back,” she said. Tt was. after midnight when Evalyn returned. *{ was thinking of a boon given to the world long ago,” said the man, “it came to me to-night in answer to a matter that’s been worrying me. It seemed that the world’s Creator must have said, ‘The world shall never grow old,’ for to-day upon the earth there is not a living thing that is older than a few score years—eternal youth upon @ hoary planet! The recipe,” he mused, “the recipe for this eternal youth of the worldi—how simple it 1s! Only two ingredients, Love and death, keep the world eternally young. . . « And this has something to do with im- ” Abruptly he asked if he might see the ornament in the girl's hair, His hand was trembling when he handed the Pleiades back to Evalyn. Evalyn pointed to the star cluster above the roof of Rockhouse. “An astronomer once told me it was a per- fect representation,” she faltered. “He was an astronomer all of his life— even when he was @ boy,” and she aAded strangely: “John, iove and death do more than keep the world forever young, sometimes they make it secm very old indeed. . . .” And she went quickly into the house. mM OWARD morning, by the light of a match the man counted— three blacks and a red. He suddenly leaned over, plunged his hand into the box and carried tho tle red creature into the kitchen, John lit the lamp and held the small squirming animal to the light... “Sirtus, . . . Sirius, Junior!" Twenty- six trillion miles to the nearest star— immeasurable distance beyond that, and Sirius had found his way back through the night! “Oh, Creator of a world that is ever young. ... ![” With no other thought than to break the great tidings to Evalyn, Joha Temple entered the dining room of Rockhouse. Stumbling against the table, he gained the dark hall and as- cended the shadowy stairway. Beyond was the room of the Pleiad. He re- membered words she had spoken: ‘AU the world frowns upon mixed breeda.” When he returned to the kitchen he was haggard. Extinguishing the light, he went to the pumphouse and leaned over the box. All of these were mixcd- breeds, and yet only one bore the re- semblance. Something must be done, He wrapped his coat around (the quiv- ering litte prototype of his friend and gtafked out into the green-streiked morning... . The three black puppies were the toast at Rockhouse, It was 4 in the afternoon when Iiva- tyn called Bessie and went to her own room. “| want you to look in everything. That ornament I wore in my hair iast night—the Piciades—is gone.” “Miss HKvatyn!” The oolor drained out of the maid’s face. “anything,” cried the girl, “anything I have but that!” They searched. Evalyn turned to the maid “Don’t mention this to a sow, but ask Dr. Marsdon to come to my room.” Dr. Marsdon's first inquiry was di- rected at the bearded man he had seen y afternoon on the lawn. “John is out of the question,” Eya- lyn eatd. Marsdon would look around the house. Presently he returned and an- pounced that he had told the other guests and notified the Bridgeport and Danbury police. Evalyn was patently annoyed. “It’s only fair to afl of us,” declared Marsdon, “Everything in the house has to be searched.” He followed her to the top of the steps. Below on tho fanding were the other. four guests, “This ia ridiculous” said Evalyn, “There have been thieves around a summer. They got in ast night That's all there Is to it.” "ET won't be satisfied I @idn't steni it in. my sleep,” declared Will Brooks, “until every rag is shakem out. The only way, Evalyn.’ “and I want my things searched,” came Bessie’s quavering wolce froin the top hall. “And that man... f think his™house ought to be search too, Last night . .. I heard him light the lamp in the kitchen. And t heard him in the dining room. It wis a’ long while before he put out tlie light, Then this morning I. saw lim running up the road toward [he Ridge. And he was still running when he came back.” _ "The men will handle this." Dr. Marsdon was all determination. “Perhaps we'd better wait,” sug- gested Will Brooks intuitively, as hoe gianced at his hostess, “The Constaliv or some one will soon be here. Evalyn came down the steps. Constable isn’t going to search his house.” She moved out the froat door, “Hal, you may come with tie But I'll do the talking.” Evalyn and Dr. Marsdon ascend. the rickety steps. “John,” called the girl. ‘John.’ There was no answer. Marsdon put his shoulder to the door, “Where do those steps lead?” askut Marsdon. “Only to an old kitchen.” They entered a gloomy room in the basement, A dim figure was crouch- ing in a chair im the corner. Dr. Marsdon strode toward him. Jolin Temple raised his head and Marsdon stumbled back. His face was ashen. “Good Godf It’s. . .” Evalyn'’s voice was low, yet clear and steady. “John, something was taken from the house last night. If you say you did not take it I shall be- lieve you.” The man replted quietly: “I have it heré in my lap, Miss Evalyn.” A miniature prototype of Sirius was muatching at a baby nipple attached to a bottie half filled with watery miik. The girl slowly went from the room, A telephone message was reccived from the Bridgeport police. One of the waiters who had assisted the ca- terer on the previous night at Rook- house had been arrested. EFORE Dr. Marsdon left, late B that evening, he talked with “The Evalyn beneath the stars. His last words were: “I want you to tell him I told you everything.” They walked slowly out of the garden to the waiting car. “Good luck, Hal, Wherever you go, good luck,” said the girl. Dr. Marsdon climbed into the automobile. “Also, Evalyn, tell him I said he knows more about the stars than any man living. And to-morrow night you will see in the sky the reason that astronomers the world over are saying he is one of the great- est mathematicians that ever lives? .. The gir! watched the red tail-light of the car bob over the bridge, then ran across the road, and knocked at the door of the former poorhouse. “John,” she called softly, “John.” But John Temple was on top his fallow hili until! daybreak, Descend- ing, he packed his books and marked the boxes Carefully with a New York address, then set liimsif to composing a note: “I am returning the son of Princess Blue Mouse and Sirius. ‘ Please tell Bessie I'm sorry about the chores this morning, but I had to £O to the Ridge to get a baby nipple. Forgive Strius Forgiy both of us Jolm,.” Wrapping Sim Junior in a soft flannel shirt, the man » aced the pup- py inside his old derby and left it on tho steps of Rockhous He walked slowly toward Bethe iid the e@aris morning train. That night at the Intersection of two of the world’s greatest thoroughfare: Fifth Avenue and Broadway, a crowd waited to look through « battered yer shining brass telescor A novel ob ject was in the :ky—on object that millions of people w gazing upon Temple's comet At the side of the telescope, explaining this phenomenon in simple language, & Man who knew nothing on earth—but all about the stars, He was there uniil midnight; then this eminent mathematician and un compromising scholar, beckoned « newsboy who was warming hirmse't over a grating, and together they di appeared into the little restaurant, The next morning a pile of tele- grams lay on the tawWe in Johu Tem- Ple’s room. One wis a message froin an old astronomer in Mlorida, another from an Eastern university, sflil an- other from Dean Thomas, while two were from great Western observator- fes. One of these last John Temp!'s placed in his pocket Suddenly, as the man stood there, the sombre expression left his face, He read a wondrous telegram; “Return at once. Sirius Junior wi't not allow his mother me to feed him, Bring baby bo Evalyn.” Copyright A s reserved, Printed by art ent with Metrepolitan Newspa rvice, New ¥ Order Your Evening World in Advance