The Supreme Victory

When Ralph burst into the machine room of the Martian's flyer and saw Alice lying dead in a pool of her own blood the shock was almost more than he could bear. Falling on his knees beside her he caught her small, yet warm hand in his, calling her name again and again in agonized tones. He covered her lovely white face with kisses, while dry tearless sobs tore at his throat.

Ralph burst into the machine room of the Martian's flyer and saw Alice lying dead in a pool of her own blood. The shock was almost more than he could bear. He fell to his knees beside her and took her small, still warm hand in his. He called her name again and again in anguish. He covered her lovely white face with kisses as dry, tearless sobs tore at his throat.

Then, thinking that perhaps he had made a mistake, that her heart must still beat, he tried, with trembling hands to discover the extent of her injuries. Llysanorh' had aimed at her heart but the dying man had missed his mark, and the sharp point of the dagger had slashed her arm, cutting into the large artery. And in those precious moments when Ralph had been connecting the two flyers, and making his way from one to the other, her warm rich life's blood had ebbed rapidly away.

Then he thought that perhaps he had made a mistake, that her heart must still be beating. With trembling hands, he tried to find out how badly she was injured. Llysanorh' had aimed at her heart, but the dying man had missed. The dagger's sharp point had slashed her arm, cutting into the large artery. Her warm, rich life's blood had flowed rapidly away during those precious moments. Ralph had spent them connecting the two flyers and making his way from one to the other.

He lifted the lifeless body in his arms and carried it to his machine, where he laid it on his bed. His mind was confused and disordered and he was unable to think coherently. A sickening sensation of depression so overwhelmed him that he felt physically ill.

He lifted the lifeless body into his arms and carried it to his machine. There, he laid it on his bed. His mind was confused, and he could not think clearly. A sickening depression overwhelmed him so completely that he felt physically ill.

Suddenly an electric thrill seemed to pass through his body and his clouded mental vision cleared. A picture flashed upon his mind. He saw himself in his laboratory on Earth, bending over a "dead" dog. And there came to him a memory of the words of that Dean of scientists:

Suddenly, an electric thrill seemed to pass through his body, and his clouded mind cleared. A picture flashed into his mind. He saw himself in his laboratory on Earth, bending over a "dead" dog. Then he remembered the words of that dean of scientists:

"What you have done with a dog, you can do with a human being."

"What you have done with a dog, you can do with a person."

In that instant Ralph was galvanized. For the first time in his life he doubted. Could he do it? What if he failed? Then he pushed such thoughts from him with stem resolution.

At that moment, Ralph sprang into action. For the first time in his life, he felt doubt. Could he do it? What if he failed? Then he firmly pushed those thoughts aside.

He would not fail!

He would not fail!

He touched the body of the girl. It had not yet grown cold with the icy chill of death. He rushed for some electric heating pads, which he applied to her to keep what warmth remained.

He touched the girl’s body. It had not yet grown cold with the icy chill of death. He rushed to get some electric heating pads and placed them on her to preserve what warmth remained.

Then came that which proved itself a terrible ordeal for him. It was absolutely necessary to drain away all the remaining blood, so that it would not coagulate.

Then came what proved to be a terrible ordeal for him. All the remaining blood had to be drained away so that it would not clot.

It had been a simple matter to empty the blood vessels of a dog, but this was the girl he loved, and he shuddered as he began his work.

It had been easy to drain the blood from a dog’s blood vessels. But this was the girl he loved, and he shuddered as he began his work.

He opened the large artery, and it was only with supreme courage that he forced himself to complete the heart=breaking task, while scalding tears ran down his cheeks unheeded.

He opened the large artery. It took all his courage to finish the heartbreaking task, as burning tears ran unnoticed down his cheeks.

He had scarcely terminated his work, when he heard steps in the corridor. He could feel his hair bristling, and he whirled to face the door, reaching for his radioperforer as he did so. Could Llysanorh'?... The next moment a large woman stood in the doorway.

He had barely finished his work when he heard footsteps in the corridor. He felt his hair stand on end. He spun toward the door, reaching for his radioperforer. Could Llysanorh'?... The next moment, a large woman stood in the doorway.

Ralph stared at her in amazement. Then suddenly it dawned upon him that this must be the maid Fernand had provided.

Ralph stared at her in amazement. Then he suddenly realized she must be the maid Fernand had provided.

She had hidden herself in abject terror when the darkness came down, and had only now mustered enough courage to investigate. The first object she had seen upon creeping to the machine room was the dead body of the Martian. Horrified, she had fainted away, but later, recovering, she crawled through the connecting tube.

She had hidden in utter terror when darkness fell. Only now had she found enough courage to investigate. When she crept into the machine room, the first thing she saw was the Martian’s dead body. Horrified, she fainted. But after she came to, she crawled through the connecting tube.

She was weak, trembling with fright, and could be of no use, and Ralph hastened to get her into another room, where he put her into a comfortable chair and left her, for he could not afford to lose a minute now.

She was weak, trembling with fear, and unable to help. So Ralph hurried her into another room and seated her in a comfortable chair. He left her there because he couldn't afford to lose a minute now.

A most important task was now before him. He had to pump an antiseptic solution through the veins of Alice, and after that the blood vessels must be filled with a weak solution of Radium-K Bromide, which, taking the place of the blood would prevent her body from undergoing physical and chemical changes.

A very important task lay ahead of him. He had to pump an antiseptic solution through Alice's veins. Then he had to fill her blood vessels with a weak solution of Radium-K Bromide. The solution would replace her blood and prevent her body from undergoing physical and chemical changes.

With infinite care Ralph applied himself to his difficult task. After the blood vessels had been completely filled with the Radium preparation, he sewed up the arteries. In this gruesome task he was assisted by Lylette, who had recovered sufficiently to be of some help to him.

Ralph worked on the difficult task with extreme care. After the blood vessels were completely filled with the Radium preparation, he stitched the arteries closed. Lylette helped him with the gruesome task. She had recovered enough to be of some help.

There remained only one more thing—to apply the Permagatol, the rare gas, having the property of conserving animal tissue, which Ralph had used successfully in his dog experiment, in keeping the respiratory organs from decomposing in the absence of blood in the blood vessels.

Only one thing remained: applying Permagatol, a rare gas that preserves animal tissue. Ralph had used it successfully in his dog experiment. It kept the respiratory organs from decomposing when there was no blood in the blood vessels.

Ralph then quickly constructed a case of flexible glass, which he fitted around the upper part of Alice's body, covering her head and torso.

Ralph quickly made a case of flexible glass. He fitted it around Alice's upper body, covering her head and torso.

He took special precautions, moreover, to make the case air-tight.

He also took special precautions to make the case airtight.

When the case had been completed and the recording and registering instruments put in place, Ralph went up to the laboratory to get the Permagatol.

Once the case was finished and the recording and registering instruments were in place, Ralph went upstairs to the laboratory to get the Permagatol.

When, however, he tested the steelonium bomb, labeled "Permagatol," he found it absolutely empty.

However, when he tested the steelonium bomb labeled "Permagatol," he found it completely empty.

The discovery nearly paralyzed him. His head swam and he was forced to sit down to keep from slumping over in the gravitation-less flyer. This last blow was almost too much. His cup of hope, that Alice could be brought back to life, had been snatched out of his hands.

The discovery nearly paralyzed him. His head spun, and he had to sit down to keep from slumping over in the gravity-free flyer. This last blow was almost too much. His hope that Alice could be brought back to life had been snatched away.

Without the Permagatol, it was impossible to save her. There was nothing to keep the beautiful dead body from disintegrating. While the Radium-K Bromide stayed the process to a certain extent, the respiratory organs could only be saved by means of the precious Permagatol.

Without the Permagatol, it was impossible to save her. Nothing could keep her beautiful dead body from disintegrating. The Radium-K Bromide slowed the process to some extent, but only the precious Permagatol could save her respiratory organs.

Could he use a substitute gas? It was a dangerous experiment to make, but he had nothing to lose, and everything to gain.

Could he use a different gas? It was a dangerous experiment, but he had nothing to lose and everything to gain.

He threw himself with a frenzy into the work and in six hours had compounded a gas that, in its general structure and atomic weight, came close to the properties and characteristics of Permagatol. The gas he evolved was Armagatol, and while he knew that it had never been used for the purpose for which he intended it, he felt justified in risking the experiment.

He threw himself into the work with a frenzy. In six hours, he had made a gas whose structure and atomic weight were close to those of Permagatol. He called the gas Armagatol. He knew it had never been used for his intended purpose, but he felt justified in risking the experiment.

After the air had been drawn from the glass case, he immediately introduced the Armagatol into it.

After the air had been removed from the glass case, he immediately put the Armagatol inside.

The change in Alice's face shocked him, as he watched the Armagatol fill the case. The green gas-vapors cast an unearthly green pallor over her countenance, and the ghastliness was further enhanced by the deathly pallor of her face.

As he watched the Armagatol fill the case, the change in Alice's face shocked him. The green gas gave her face an eerie green pallor. Her deathly pale complexion made her look even more ghastly.

He arranged the electric heating pads around Alice's body, and inspected the registering instruments.

He placed the electric heating pads around Alice's body and checked the recording instruments.

It had now become necessary to take his bearings. He found to his amazement that instead of being close to Mars, as he had expected, he was moving away from that body.

He now needed to figure out where he was. To his amazement, he found that he was moving away from Mars. He had expected to be close to it.

The two space flyers, although their machinery was not working, had been moving rapidly, due to the gravitational action of the nearest large celestial body. This body was not Mars, however, but Earth. Although, at the time of the encounter with Llysanorh', the two machines had been slightly nearer to Mars, the larger mass, and consequently the stronger attraction of the Earth had overcome the pull that Mars exerted on the machines, and as a result the machines were now being drawn toward Earth.

The two space flyers were moving rapidly, even though their machinery was not working. They were being pulled by the gravity of the nearest large celestial body. That body was Earth, not Mars. At the time of the encounter with Llysanorh', the two machines had been slightly closer to Mars. But Earth’s greater mass gave it a stronger gravitational pull, which overcame the pull of Mars. As a result, the machines were now being drawn toward Earth.

A glance at the celestial chart revealed to Ralph that Earth and Mars would be in opposition the next day and that he was separated from Earth by twenty-two million miles. He would have to move faster than Earth if he were to overtake that body. Besides, he was twenty-two million miles to the east of the planet.

Ralph glanced at the celestial chart. It showed that Earth and Mars would be in opposition the next day. He was twenty-two million miles from Earth. To catch up with Earth, he would have to move faster than the planet. Besides, he was twenty-two million miles east of it.

The Earth was traveling 65,533 miles per hour in its orbit. A simple calculation indicated that, by forcing his space flyer to the utmost, or 90,000 miles an hour, he could not hope to reach Earth in less than fifty days, as he could only gain about 24,400 miles an hour on Earth.

The Earth was traveling at 65,533 miles per hour in its orbit. A simple calculation showed that he could not hope to reach Earth in less than fifty days. Even at his space flyer's top speed of 90,000 miles per hour, he could gain only about 24,400 miles per hour on Earth.

The next important step was to cut loose Llysanorh's machine. He instructed Lylette to get her things from the Martian's flyer. She started to crawl through the connecting tube, and that was the last time Ralph saw her alive.

The next important step was to detach Llysanorh's machine. Ralph told Lylette to get her things from the Martian's flyer. She began crawling through the connecting tube. That was the last time Ralph saw her alive.

A loud hissing noise, like escaping steam caused him to rush to the connecting tube, but he was too late. The automatic safety valve had sprung, and the circular door of the connecting tube had been hermetically closed.

A loud hiss, like escaping steam, made him rush to the connecting tube, but he was too late. The automatic safety valve had sprung, and the connecting tube’s circular door had sealed shut.

The two machines had drifted apart, and as Ralph peered anxiously through one of the windows, he was horrified at the sight of Lylette, hanging by her feet from the circular connecting-tube door of Llysanorh's machine.

The two machines had drifted apart. As Ralph looked anxiously through a window, he saw Lylette hanging by her feet from the circular connecting-tube door of Llysanorh's machine. He was horrified.

The door had closed automatically when the two machines had become disconnected. The air had of course rushed out immediately from Llysanorh's flyer. She had died in a few seconds and her body had become distended to a great many times its normal size. Ralph, nauseated by the terrible spectacle, turned away from it. There was nothing he could do.

The door had closed automatically when the two machines disconnected. Of course, the air had immediately rushed out of Llysanorh's flyer. She had died within seconds, and her body had swollen to many times its normal size. Sickened by the terrible sight, Ralph turned away. There was nothing he could do.

Few people realize that it is nothing but the atmospheric pressure that keeps our bodies from falling apart; thus, it is well known that when flying at high altitudes on the Earth, where the atmosphere becomes thin, blood will begin to flow from the mouth, nose and ears.

Few people realize that atmospheric pressure alone keeps our bodies from falling apart. Thus, it is well known that blood begins to flow from the mouth, nose, and ears when people fly at high altitudes on Earth, where the atmosphere is thin.

When he glanced backwards a few minutes later and saw Llysanorh's machine he gave an exclamation of astonishment. The machine was not to be seen, but in its place was a wondrous comet, its tail streaming thousands of miles behind it!

A few minutes later, he looked back at Llysanorh's machine and cried out in surprise. The machine was nowhere to be seen. In its place was a wondrous comet, its tail streaming thousands of miles behind it!

Llysanorh's flyer, which was somewhat larger in size than that of Ralph's, had "captured" the artificial comet! There remained not a part of it attached to Ralph's flyer. Ralph reasoned that the air that had been contained formerly in Llysanorh's machine had, upon rushing out of the flyer after Lylette's fatal accident, mixed with the gases of the "comet" and thereby assisted the latter in detaching itself from Ralph's flyer.

Llysanorh's flyer was somewhat larger than Ralph's, and it had "captured" the artificial comet! No part of the comet remained attached to Ralph's flyer. Ralph reasoned that air had rushed out of Llysanorh's flyer after Lylette's fatal accident. The air had mixed with the gases of the "comet", helping it detach from Ralph's flyer.

It remained within range of his vision for many weeks, before it was finally lost in the depths of infinite space, where it would, in all probability, rush through the boundless universe for aeon upon aeon, ere it would eventually collide with some other body, and would be reduced to cosmic dust.

It remained in his sight for many weeks before it was finally lost in the depths of infinite space. There it would probably race through the boundless universe for age after age. Eventually, it would collide with another body and be reduced to cosmic dust.

The long days during Ralph's flight back to Earth left their indelible imprint upon his mind. Never, in all the years to follow, could he look back upon them without a shudder, remembering the heart-break of the terrible hours in which he sat beside the bed on which lay his beloved.

The long days of Ralph's flight back to Earth left a lasting mark on his mind. In all the years that followed, he could never look back on them without shuddering. He remembered the heartbreak of those terrible hours sitting beside the bed where his beloved lay.

The nearer he drew to Earth, the more his dread of the coming ordeal increased. He was by no means sure that he could bring Alice back to life; it was not even probable. It was but an experiment at best, the outcome of which could not be foretold. If Armagatol would bring the same reactions as Permagatol, there was a reasonable assurance of restoring Alice to life, but Ralph was inclined to doubt the efficiency of the substitute gas.

The closer he came to Earth, the more he dreaded what lay ahead. He was far from sure he could bring Alice back to life. In fact, it was unlikely. At best, the attempt was an experiment, and its outcome was impossible to predict. If Armagatol produced the same reactions as Permagatol, there was a reasonable chance of bringing Alice back to life. But Ralph doubted that the substitute gas would work.

He examined her every few hours, and once in twenty-four he looked at the blood vessels. This was made possible by means of his Platinum-Barium-Arcturium eyeglasses, which acted in a similar manner to the old-fashioned X-ray screen. Inasmuch as all the blood vessels of Alice's body were filled with Radium-K Bromide—which latter, like Radium, excited the Platinum-Barium-Arcturium eyeglasses—each blood vessel could be inspected with ease.

He examined her every few hours and checked her blood vessels once every twenty-four hours. He could do this with his Platinum-Barium-Arcturium eyeglasses, which worked like an old-fashioned X-ray screen. All the blood vessels in Alice's body were filled with Radium-K Bromide. Like Radium, Radium-K Bromide excited the Platinum-Barium-Arcturium eyeglasses, so he could easily inspect each blood vessel.

The invisible Rays (the same as X-rays) emanating from the Radium-K Bromide solution in the blood vessels, showed Ralph their exact condition.

Invisible rays came from the Radium-K Bromide solution in the blood vessels. These rays, the same as X-rays, showed Ralph the exact condition of the vessels.

While all the blood vessels remained healthy, Ralph became greatly alarmed over the change that slowly, but steadily, made itself apparent in the respiratory organs. Some change was taking place which he did not understand. He knew it must be the action of the Armagatol, but he was unable to do anything, as with the chemicals on hand it was impossible to produce the life-saving Permagatol.

Although all the blood vessels remained healthy, Ralph grew alarmed by a slow but steady change in the respiratory organs. He did not understand what was happening. He knew Armagatol must be causing the change, but he could do nothing. The chemicals he had could not produce the life-saving Permagatol.

Ralph grew more despondent each day, and his hope of bringing his betrothed back to life grew dimmer and dimmer as the hours rolled on. For the first time since he left the Earth he became space-sick.

Ralph grew more discouraged each day. As the hours passed, his hope of bringing his fiancée back to life grew dimmer. For the first time since leaving Earth, he became space-sick.

Space-sickness is one of the most unpleasant sensations that a human being can experience. Not all are subject to it, and it does not last longer than forty-eight hours, after which it never recurs.

Space-sickness is one of the most unpleasant sensations a person can experience. Not everyone gets it. It lasts no longer than forty-eight hours, and it never comes back.

On Earth, gravitational action to a certain degree exerts a certain pull on the brain. Out in space, with practically no gravitational action, this pull ceases. When this happens, the brain is no longer subjected to the accustomed pull, and it expands slightly in all directions, just as a balloon loses its pear shape and becomes round when an aeronaut cuts loose, to drop down with his parachute.

On Earth, gravity pulls on the brain to a certain degree. Out in space, where there is practically no gravity, this pull stops. Without the usual pull, the brain expands slightly in all directions. It is like a pear-shaped balloon becoming round when a balloonist cuts loose and drops down by parachute.

The effect on the brain results in space-sickness, the first symptoms being violent melancholy and depression followed by a terrible heart-rending longing for Earth. During this stage, at which the patient undergoes great mental suffering, the optical nerves usually become affected and everything appears upside down, as if the sufferer were looking through a lens. It becomes necessary to take large doses of Siltagol, otherwise brain fever may develop.

The effect on the brain causes space-sickness. The first symptoms are intense melancholy and depression, followed by a terrible, heartbreaking longing for Earth. During this stage, the patient suffers greatly in mind. The optic nerves are usually affected, and everything appears upside down, as if the patient were looking through a lens. Large doses of Siltagol are necessary. Otherwise, brain fever may develop.

At the end of two days the sickness left Ralph, but it left him worn and exhausted physically and he was subject to terrible fits of depression. At these times the boundless space about him appalled him, weighing him down with its infinite immensity. The awful stillness crushed him. Everything seemed dead—dead as was that silent motionless figure that had been a living laughing creature who had loved him—it seemed so long ago.

After two days, Ralph’s sickness passed, but he was physically worn out and exhausted. He also suffered terrible bouts of depression. At such times, the boundless space around him appalled him. Its infinite vastness weighed him down. The terrible silence crushed him. Everything seemed dead, as dead as the silent, motionless figure who had once been a living, laughing creature who loved him. That seemed so long ago.

He felt that Nature herself was punishing him for his daring assault upon her dominions. He had presumed to set the laws of Life and Death at variance, and this was the penalty, this living death, shut in with the living dead.

He felt that Nature herself was punishing him for daring to attack her domain. He had dared to pit the laws of Life and Death against each other. His punishment was this living death, shut away with the living dead.

At such times a madness of fear and despair would grip him. He would fling himself down at Alice's side, his face buried in her cold inert hand, and sob like a child in his loneliness and agony of spirit.

At times like these, wild fear and despair would take hold of him. He would throw himself down beside Alice and bury his face in her cold, motionless hand. Overwhelmed by loneliness and anguish, he would sob like a child.

When this had passed he would return to his state of lethargy, sitting hours at a time staring moodily at the floor. Gaunt, hollow-eyed and listless, he seemed more mad than sane.

When this passed, he would become lethargic again, sitting for hours and staring moodily at the floor. Gaunt, hollow-eyed, and listless, he seemed more mad than sane.

And yet, the tremendous will-power of the man came into evidence when, within forty-eight hours' distance of Earth he threw off his blinding lethargy, and made himself ready, mentally and physically, for his last fight for Alice's life.

Yet the man showed tremendous willpower. When he was within forty-eight hours of Earth, he shook off his blinding lethargy. He prepared himself mentally and physically for his final fight for Alice's life.

He had drawn close enough to Earth now to use the Radio apparatus, and soon he was in hourly communication with his laboratory. He gave his instructions clearly and definitely, and he soon had assurance that everything that could possibly be done for the dead girl had been carefully arranged.

He had come close enough to Earth to use the radio, and soon he was communicating with his laboratory every hour. He gave clear, precise instructions. Soon he was assured that everything possible had been carefully arranged for the dead girl.

Ralph's flyer landed on top of his tower sixty-nine days after his departure. He was greatly impressed at the sight of the flags of the city at half mast. The town itself was very still. There were no aeroflyers, no vehicles in motion in the streets. Business was at a standstill for ten minutes after Ralph landed. Thus the world expressed its deep sympathy.

Ralph's flyer landed on top of his tower sixty-nine days after he left. He was deeply moved to see the city's flags flying at half-mast. The town was very quiet. There were no aeroflyers or vehicles moving in the streets. All business stopped for ten minutes after Ralph landed. In this way, the world expressed its deep sympathy.

Within a few minutes Alice had been placed on an operating table in Ralph's laboratory, and 16K 5+, the world's greatest surgeon, who had been summoned, was in readiness. Ralph was placed on an operating table to the right of Alice. To the left lay Cléose, a beloved cousin of Alice.

Within minutes, Alice was on an operating table in Ralph's laboratory. The world's greatest surgeon, 16K 5+, had been summoned and was ready. Ralph was placed on an operating table to Alice's right. To her left lay Cléose, Alice's beloved cousin.

In a few seconds Alice's arteries had been opened and the Radium-K Bromide solution was drawn off. A quantity of warm, distilled water, containing antiseptic salts was then pumped through her blood vessels by two assistants. During this time the surgeon had opened the large arteries of both Ralph and Cléose, and had introduced a flexible glass tube into each. In a short time the blood of Ralph and Cléose began flowing rapidly through these tubes into Alice's blood vessels.

Within seconds, Alice's arteries had been opened, and the Radium-K Bromide solution was drained off. Two assistants then pumped warm distilled water containing antiseptic salts through her blood vessels. Meanwhile, the surgeon had opened the large arteries of both Ralph and Cléose. He had inserted a flexible glass tube into each. Soon, Ralph's and Cléose's blood began flowing rapidly through the tubes into Alice's blood vessels.

Simultaneously a third assistant administered oxygen to Alice, while a fourth commenced to excite her heart rhythmically by means of electrical current.

At the same time, a third assistant gave Alice oxygen, while a fourth used an electric current to stimulate her heart rhythmically.

The brain was stimulated energetically at the same time by means of the powerful F-9-Rays, and while Ralph and Cléose grew paler and paler as their blood flowed out into Alice's body, the latter began to acquire color by degrees, though there was no other sign of life. After enough blood had been taken from the two, the surgeon closed their arteries; and, while Cléose had fainted during the ordeal, Ralph, weakened as he was, remained conscious by sheer force of will.

At the same time, the brain was intensely stimulated with the powerful F-9-Rays. As Ralph and Cléose grew paler from the blood flowing into Alice's body, her color gradually returned. But she showed no other sign of life. Once enough blood had been taken from both of them, the surgeon closed their arteries. Cléose had fainted during the ordeal, but Ralph, though weakened, remained conscious through sheer force of will.

The surgeon 16K 5+, asked Ralph if he did not think it would be better for him to be removed to another room, but Ralph refused so vehemently, despite his terribly depleted strength, that he was allowed to remain. He asked to be raised slightly higher that he might watch the work of restoring Alice to life, and this request too, was granted.

The surgeon 16K 5+ asked Ralph if he thought it would be better to move him to another room. But Ralph refused so vehemently, despite his greatly weakened condition, that he was allowed to stay. He asked to be raised a little higher so he could watch the work of bringing Alice back to life. This request was granted too.

Almost two hours had passed since Alice had first been laid upon the operating table, and still there was no sign of life. The suspense became well-nigh unendurable, not only to Ralph, but to the workers as well.

Almost two hours had passed since Alice was first placed on the operating table, and still she showed no sign of life. The suspense became almost unbearable for Ralph and the workers alike.

Was she lost after all?

Was she lost after all?

Was he fated never to see her alive again?

Was he doomed never to see her alive again?

The great surgeon and his assistants were working desperately. Every conceivable means was used to revive the inanimate body, but all was to no avail. As attempt after attempt failed the faces of the men grew graver. A tense silence prevailed throughout the laboratory, broken only by the surgeon's sharp low instructions from time to time.

The great surgeon and his assistants worked desperately. They tried every possible way to revive the lifeless body, but nothing worked. As each attempt failed, the men’s faces grew more serious. A tense silence filled the laboratory, broken only by the surgeon’s occasional sharp, quiet instructions.

It was then, when the tide of hope was at the lowest ebb, that Ralph beckoned one of the assistants to his side. Though unable to speak above a whisper, so weak was he, he managed with difficulty to convey his meaning to the man, who sprang to the side of the surgeon and in a low voice gave him Ralph's message.

When hope was at its lowest, Ralph called one of the assistants to his side. He was so weak that he could only whisper, but he managed with difficulty to tell the man what he meant. The man rushed to the surgeon’s side and quietly relayed Ralph’s message.

Ralph had sent for a Hypnobioscope, the head pieces of which they fastened to Alice's temples. They brought a number of rolls and from them Ralph chose one of the world's most beautiful love stories.

Ralph had sent for a Hypnobioscope, and they fastened its headpieces to Alice's temples. They brought several rolls, and Ralph chose one with one of the world's most beautiful love stories.

It was the last trench in his desperate combat with Nature. It was the supreme effort. It was the last throw of the dice in the game between Science and Death, with a girl as the stakes.

It was his last stand in his desperate fight against Nature. It was his greatest effort. It was the last roll of the dice in the game between Science and Death, with a girl at stake.

Ralph knew that if the brain was at all alive to impressions, the effect of the story would stimulate it to voluntary action.

Ralph knew that if the brain could still respond at all, the story would prompt it to act on its own.

As the reel unrolled, Ralph fixed his burning eyes on the closed ones as though he would drive by the very force of his will the impressions coming from the Hypnobioscope deep into her brain.

As the reel played, Ralph stared at her closed eyes with a burning gaze. He seemed to be trying to drive the impressions from the Hypnobioscope deep into her brain through sheer willpower.

Then, while they watched, with bated breath, the slight body on the operating table quivered almost imperceptibly, as the water of a still pool is rippled by a passing zephyr. A moment later her breast rose gently and fell again, and from the white lips came the suggestion of a sigh.

Then, as they watched with bated breath, the slight body on the operating table trembled almost imperceptibly, like a still pool rippled by a passing breeze. A moment later, her chest rose gently and fell again, and her white lips seemed to let out a sigh.

When Ralph saw this, his strength returned to him, and he raised himself, listening with throbbing heart to the soft breathing. His eyes glowed with triumph. The battle was won. His face was transfigured. All the agony, the heart-breaking foreboding of the past weeks passed from him, and a great peace settled upon his soul.

When Ralph saw this, his strength returned. He sat up, listening to the soft breathing, his heart pounding. His eyes shone with triumph. The battle was won. His face was transformed. All the agony and heartbreaking dread of the past weeks left him, and a deep peace settled over him.

The surgeon sprang to catch him as he dropped, unconscious.

The surgeon leaped to catch him as he collapsed, unconscious.

About a week later Ralph was admitted by the nurse to the room where Alice lay, regaining her strength. He was still weak, himself, from the loss of blood. Alice had just awakened, and at his step, she turned her lovely face eagerly toward him. Her cheeks were faintly tinged with the delicate pink of the seashell, her eyes were bright with the soft glow of health.

About a week later, the nurse let Ralph into the room where Alice lay recovering. He was still weak from losing blood. Alice had just woken up, and when she heard his footsteps, she eagerly turned her lovely face toward him. Her cheeks were faintly pink, like a seashell. Her eyes glowed softly with returning health.

She beckoned to him smiling into his eyes, and he knelt down beside her, taking her hands in his own, and holding them close. She moved her lips and he bent his head close to them, so that her gentle breath fanned his cheek.

She beckoned to him, smiling into his eyes. He knelt beside her, took her hands in his, and held them close. She moved her lips, and he bent his head close to them, so that her gentle breath brushed his cheek.

"I can't talk very loud," she whispered. "My lungs and vocal chords are not strong yet, but the nurse said I might speak just a few words. But I wanted to tell you something."

"I can't speak very loudly," she whispered. "My lungs and vocal cords aren't strong yet, but the nurse said I could say just a few words. But I wanted to tell you something."

"What is it, my darling?" he asked tenderly.

"What is it, my darling?" he asked gently.

She looked at him with the old sparkle of mischief in her dark eyes.

She looked at him with the familiar sparkle of mischief in her dark eyes.

"Dearest," she said, "I have just found out what your name really means."

"Darling," she said, "I just found out what your name really means."

Ralph twined a little tendril of her hair around one of his fingers.

Ralph wrapped a small lock of her hair around one of his fingers.

"Yes?" he asked with a quizzical smile.

"Yes?" he asked with a puzzled smile.

"Well, you see," and the lovely color deepened to rose, "your name is going to be my name now, so I keep saying it over to myself—"

"Well, you see," she said, blushing deeper, "your name is going to be my name now, so I keep saying it to myself."

"My darling

"My darling