Evening Republican, Volume 15, Number 37, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 February 1911 — A Columbus of Space [ARTICLE]

A Columbus of Space

By Garrett P. Serviss.

Copyright by Frank A. Munsey Co. We did not p>ess Edmund for an explanation of this remark, but I was sure he had some particular reason for what he had said, and I turned it over In my mind without arriving at any conclusion. - { When our repast was finished a number of “cops,” as Jack gaily dubbed them, came to conduct us from the refectory. “Now for the Supreme Court or the King's Bench!” said Jack. ( It was even as he had surmised. We were led through a maze of passages and elegant passages until we emerged into a vast and splendid apartment. It was nearly square—at least 100 feet the longest way—and, like the place where we had dined, lighted from the walls and „ ceiling. The floor seemed to be of rose-colored marble, and the waits and ceiling were composed of equally rich materials, most beautifully decorated. But what absolutely fascinated the eye in this great compartment was the play of living colors, projected from a huge circle, high on the wall, at the farther end.

“Chromatic music again,” said Edmund. Just as at a great reception on the earth an orchestra pours forth sort melodies to entrance the senses of the guests, so here this harmonic play of delightful colors filled the air, to the evident delectation of the brilliant throng that was assembled. Even we felt the effect stealing deliciously through our nerves. As a way was cleared for us, everybody standing aside to make room when we advanced, we caught sight—at the head of the vista thus formed through the center of the apartment—of a magnificent throne, and seated upon it was Ala. Then she must, indeed, be .the queen! But immediately I noticed, with some disappointment, that she was not alone.

By her side, and occupying another throne hardly less brilliant than hers, was a tall man, with features like those of a Greek statue of Zeus, and long curling hair as white as snow. The severity of his aspect formed a discouraging contrast with the smiling beauty of the queen. Now, you will understand, of course, that everything -that followed in the way of communication between these people and us was conducted by those peculiar methods of interchanging thoughts and ideas which I have before described. There was no talking, .except in very low tones, among the chief actors on the other side. It was a repetition of what had occurred during the parley between the aeroplanes. Yet, so expressive were the countenances before us, and so transparent the meaning of the gestures, that eve a Jack, Henry and I could catch con-' siderable of the drift, while Edmund seemed to understand it astonishingly well. What was visible recorded itself in my memory, but the details of what occurred in the way of cominun ication were related to me afterwards by Edmund. For the sake of clearness I am going to treat it practically as if it had been a regular conversation. While I may thus be compelled to use words which were not actually spoken, yet the meaning was there. As soon as our examination began the colors ceased to play from the circle above the throne.

“Orchestra stopped,” whispered the irrepressible Jack in my ear. The first person to speak, if I may so put it, was Ala. She fixed her eyes upon Edmund in the peculiar manner which we had already learned to recognize as preliminary to a wordless conversation, and her face became more expressive than that of the most perfect actress I have ever seen. One could read upon it the question: “Who are you, and whence came you?”

I was filled with pride as I glanced at Edmund. He stood alone, close before the throne, in an open space, while we were placed a little at one side. He carried himself erect, without a sign of trepidation, with an air of complete confidence and selfcontrol, and almost, I thought, of superiority. The painting of “Columbus Before Isabella” flashed upon my recollection, though the circumstances were so different As the question beamed to him he lifted bin hand and pointed significantly overhead. Evidently he was going at once to proclaim our origin from another world. V I remembered what be had lately said about the difficulty of making these people comprehend such a thing, and I thought I could detect the perplexity in Ala’s mind. Edmund’s gesture apoks plainly

enough, but in reading his thought she met ah Insuperable obstacle. She coujd hot comprehend the idea of another world in the sky. It was'then that Juba unexpectedly came to our aid. He had been watching the proceedings with intense interest, and I was delighted by the comprehension which he showed. Although possessing a much lower order of intelligence than the brilliant beings who surrounded us, and nothing of their culture, yet he was an inhabitant of their planet, and who can tell what ancestral Hups may have connected them? His people, too, shared in the singuular power of communicating ideas without words which was characteristic of intellectual life on Venus. To him, on the other hand, there was little mystery in what Edmund was trying to make known. He was familiar with the starry sky and a worshipper of the earth. With a boldness that surprised me, he stepped to Edmund's side, and, lifting the shades from his eyes, joined —if I may so say—in the conversation. Ala and her white-haired companion stared at him, a little startled at first by his interference. But it was clear in a minute that they understood him. He made them, at least," partially comprehend tha't above the dome of clouds there was another world known to him, and that we came from thence. No doubt "that thought had been in his mind before. He also, it was plain, made them realize the fact that he himself belonged to their own planet —to the dark, mysterious side of it—which they had in vain sought to penetrate. Wonder overspread their faces as the truth dawned upon them I could feel all eyes now turned upon us with redoubled interest and curiosity. I believed that I qould detect a deepening of color in Ala’s cheeks as she again confronted Edmund’s glance. Thus the ice was broken, and, the fundamental idea being communcated, it rested, upon Edmund atone to conduct the affair again. I saw that the examination»was taking another direction. \ Whether they were satisfied or not about our claims to be inhabitants of another world, they were evidently not disposed to let us off on that account. And I thought that the whiteheaded Zeus seemed especially insistent on this point and I detested hipr for it I tried to imagine what he was, but I couldn’t satisfy myself. King, or judge, or priest, or what? Jack saw the new drift also, and whispered tp me: -I" “The old scoundrel! I’d like to try my pistol on him!” For the first time the old man, who, I must confess, possessed a dignity of bearing that was extremely imposing, looked Edmund squarely in the eye and used some significant gestures. Edmund did not quail. But the rest of us certainly did when a way was suddenly opened in the throng and the body of the fellow that had been shot, lying on a rich bier, was borne into the center of the open space and set down at Edmund’s feet. He glanced at it perfectly unmoved, and then, with a smile, turned to look at Ala. Her manner assured me that she understood the justification that he claimed for himself, and that, at least, she approved it. But old Zeus was not to be placated. That was plain by his look. Ala spoke to him earnestly, calling into action all the means .of communicating thoughts, ideas and arguments that they possessed in Buch abundance; but he was immovable. At length she turned to Edmund, and some communication took place between them which puzzled him for a little while, but suddenly a light broke over his countenance, and, turning aside his head, he sent my hopes plump down to zero with ten solemn words: “The old judge is the father of the dead man! ” . “Then there’s no hope for us,” I muttered. “Wait and see,” was the reply. Everything depended upon Ala. Assuming that she was interested in Edmund and wished to save him, had she the power to do it? Was she really queen, as we had supposed? And, if so, was her authority unlimited? These questions raced through my mind while a conference took place round the throne. Several dignifiedlooking individuals, with gems glittering on their toga-like garments, were called into consultation. There was plainly a division among them. I could Bee that some sided with Ala, and others with the old man. The features of the latter became more and more stern, but as he continued to insist upon his revengeful purpose a strange light began to glow in Ala’s eyes. Her color deepened. Lines of strength appeared in her beautiful face. One could feel the resistance that she offered rising to a passion ; and at last, at a particularly savage communication from her relentless opponent, she suddenly rose to her feet, transformed! The majestic splendor of her countenance was thrilling. Lifting her jeweled arms, she commanded the attendants to remove the bier, and <4* >«*

was instantly obeyed. Then she beckoned to Edmund; and as he approached the foot of the throne she descended three steps, rested her hand upon bis shoulder, and looked about her with an air which said plainer than words: “It is the power of my protection that environs him. Touch him, you who dare!” - (To be continued.)