The Equinox (Volume I, Number VII)

PROFESSOR ZIRCON diamonds. Just crystallizing coal, you see; so simple when you know how to do it. Wait a minute! And he fetched a small electric machine from the laboratory and solemnly made it spark in the coal—scuttle. There] he announced triumph— antly. Now we'll see if we’ve managed to crystallize any coal 1 " So the child began to hunt in the scuttle, and in a few minutes found the ring glittering in its dusty setting, like the eyes of a snake in the jungle. “Oh, you darling I " she cried, “Oh, you old fraud 1 You said nothing about making gold l" “ Ah] that’s a little accident,” replied the Professor. " Discoveries never come singly." “And is it really for me? All my very own?" ”Who else should it be for, darling?” “ You’re a darling sweet boy." “ Run away and wash your handsl I've warmed up your own element for you, you dear little Spirit of Salt!” She ran gleefully into the laboratory. On the bench stood the basin she had used so often, with the soap and towels neatly at its side. She seized the soap, and plunged both hands into the nearly boiling hydrochloric acid. Then she turned her head to him, her mouth a tragic square, incapable even of uttering even a shriek. “ How will you play the fiddle, screamed Zircon, “with no fingers? How will you play the harlot? I saw you and your lover. There's his flower I ” He flung it at her. " But I’m even with you~0h I I’m even with you 1 " And he foamed into a spate of the filthiest abuse. It broke the spell, Scream after scream broke from her VIII G 97 yv