Air Wonder Stories, December 1929 — page 78: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

TL aa ie e ee ea TM Tven St 4; VRP LL Pee se ae wy See ORE S Pee ee a : , | : | | | | “You know the rest of thestory. When I saw your static supercharger, I knew that my days were num- bered; so. I persuaded you to go to Europé with a-pur- pose to kill you on the-way. But:my. good instincts had not been completely submerged; I could not kill the boy that I had dandled: on: my knee. When I saw that you were falling in love with Miss Huntington, I-becamein- tensely jealous-of her, for she might take you from me. The ‘fiend’ who had plotted your death now wished to preserve you. for himself. I decided to-kidnap her without delay.~ But in doing so, for the-first-time in my criminal fife, my- plans were upset; and I barely escaped with a whole skin, thanks to you. Later, how- ever, [successfully accomplished the abduction of your bride and-her: servant.” “Did_-you kill her, too?” broke in Manning at this point. He waited, dreading the answer which would verify the death of the one he loved. There was a breathless pause, then Herrick spoke. again: “No, I did not kill her. I intended.to:do so; but.some- thing has stayed me.” __ The sudden relief was too much for Manning. He broke down and cried like a child. While Manning was getting-his emotions under. con- trol, Herrick spoke some strange words to the Malay, who immediately left the room. “The body which you thought was-mine,” Herrick continued, “and= which lies buried back home, was specially prepared: by me: for the purpose. It was. my wish that Richard Herrick should drop forever from the sight of the world. Just a-week ago the demon that had so long dominated my mind, suddenly left me for a time, I realized with horror what I had done. Then- came your. pursuit; I tried to stop you by paralyzing your motors, but I did not wish to harm. you. I: wanted only to escape. I have decided to give up, confess every- thing, and send. you home with your bride.” “But what will become of you?” broke-in Manning. Herrick laughed coldly : “My doom is sealed. ‘The demon has gone for.a time only ; tam a sane man-now; but I cannot tell how long that will last. If the devil again-possessed me, I would become a raging maniac; but that shall never be. Five minutes ‘after you leave this ship, I will die and my secret will go with me. No:trace of this satanic inven- AIR WONDER STORIES The Phantom of Galon (Continued from page 517) tion shall remain. I have had myself bound to my chair, lestthe fit-return-on me before you: escape.” A door opened on the far side of the room and the huge Malay entered, followed by Margaret Huntington! “Dick!” she cried, and ran into his arms. When the reunited-lovers at last turned froni each other- and looked questioningly to the master of the Phantom, the latter said: “You-two must go now, and you will never again return to Galon, I wish you all the happiness in the world. You must try to forget Richard Herrick.” There was a pause, then he continued: “Will you bid farewell to an old man, who has wronged you deeply?” His hand was outstretched. There was such a pitiful note-in Herrick’s tone that Manning could hardly keep the tears-from blinding him. After all, he could not forget: what Herrick had been to him. “We forgive all; Uncle Dick,” said Margaret. Herrick smiled, “You are a wonderful girl, Mar- garet,” he said: “Make Richard a good wife.” “Good-by, Uncle Dick; said Manning huskily. “Good-by- and God: bless: you both,” Herrick replied. The two slowly walked-from the room: At the door Manning turned and looked back; there sat Herrick, looking weak: and forlorn, but smiling faintly. He raised his‘hand in a farewell salute and the two young people passed: out into the world of sunshine, For almost: five minutes the two who had been so joyfully reunited followed the narrow. trail which led toward the Skyrocket. At length they-came‘to the top ofa hill and Jooked back; there in the clearing they could- see the Phantom, shining black in the tropical sunshine. Suddenly,-as they: watched, there burst from the great craft a cloud.of dense brown smoke that rolled out over the clearing in huge billows. A dull rumble shook the ground, and a great explosion reverberated throygh the air. Then the smoke began to settle in a fe brown dust, over-all the clearing. When it had com- pletely cleared away, there were: to. be seen, where the Phantom had-rested, only an irregular crater and shat- tered fragments. Richard Herrick was, at last, truly dead, and the Phantom of Galon was no: more. Manning: sighed; wiped a tear from his eyes, and, taking the hand of his bride-in his own, led her down the other side of the hill; to'a new day and a new life. Tue Enp. Then read Otto Willi Gail’s “SHOT INTO INFINITY” in SCIENCE WONDER QUARTERLY Now on Sale at all Newsstands Se na ne ee ak te comicbooks.com DIY Eee Se reat) PRN TOME Se RP tet PUNT eee VOL eT re hme vay Ye - ~~ ; 2 F-