The record-union., 1894-03-31

English officers, and is little else than q
low. commodious hut OF lava blocks, con-
tanning three apartments.
They found one of these apartments
locked, but this was no unusual occur
renee. Nor was it strange thing that
embers still blazed in the CHEEKY old fire.
place and that remnants of a recent meal
were visible. Tourists, making ascent of
Etna, are continually arriving and de-
parting, for it is here that nights rest is
taken before the final reach of disheveled
crust is traversed in the silence and
darkness of early morn, in order to wit
ness the magnificent spectacle of sunrise
from the steaming crater's very edge.
".
DISTURBANCES.
| The Laplocks found the Casa Inglesi a
most welcome hospice after their long
ride in the open air. They partook OF
| food land wine, wrapped their rugs and
| blankets about them, made themselves
exceedingly snug and comfortable upon
the various bunkS and benches, and
were soon enjoying glorious nights
| rest nearly ten thousand feet above the
! sea.
| There was a bright glow within the hut
| and still more welcome aroma of cook
ing food, for ones appetite is rayenous in
| these crisp, upper regions, when the Lap
| locks were awakened at 2 O'Clock in the
| morning. After a delicious breakfast OF
| eggs roasted in the ashes, cold fowl, ST.
Gillian bread and black coffee, carefully
exchanging light footwear for strong
shoes. buckling heavy leggings around
their ankles and adjusting rugs and
blankets to the body like knotted tunics,
the party stepped out into the cold and
singing air.
Up on the side arc of a star-lustrous
sky Etna's peak stood out like wall of
onyx, against which it seemed that one
would crash at a single steps advance.
Cecil and Janet shudderingly cOntem-
plated the black cone for moment, and,
after a brief whispered consultation,
turned back to the hospice, refusing to
attempt the ascent.
1T is cruel and brutal to force any one
against their will into such a horrible
experience" exclaimed Janet indignant
ly. Cecil may do as she likes. | shall
remain at the Casa"
Il have always been an obedient
daughter" sobbed Cecil, but this is too
much. | positively refuse to go step
further!'
Poor little Laplock rolled his eyes, first
at the girls and then at Mrs. LapIock and
her sister, in momentary helpless bewil-
derment, but any one could have seen
that he was secretly proud of their uneX-
pected and spirited resistance.
"Lillibridge Laplock,'' finally shouted
Mrs. Laplocz in a towering rage, will
you stand there like gibbering idiot
and see your wife detied-deiied on
Mount Etna in the presence OF grinning
hirelings?'
''It is positively astounding" gasped
the ympathetically indignant Miss Gov
entry.
''Antoinette Won Houler Coventry Lap
lock! most undeniably, unequiVocally
and unqualifiedly do! This thing has
gone on long enough. There are one or
two people in the LaplOck family beside
yourself-not all Mind, perhaps, madam;
Dut still, matter; matter, madam, that
from this latitude, longitude, altitude,
time, date, hour, minute, is going to be
taken slightly into accountp'
Never before had the patient little man
conducted himself like this. Besides,
the revolvers were again in his hands,
and the delirium of joy at discovering
himself at last an emancipated man was
so great that IL set him dancing and
whirling around and around upon Etnas
lava shoulder, like a marionette at a
fair.
Mrs. Laplock shrieked and Miss Gov
entry also shrieked. No one immedi-
ately coming to their assistance they
slid down upon the ground together,
tumultuous heap of humiliation and
defeat, victims OF arrested female devel-
opment at the hands Of tyrant Man.
Then the guides kindly stood them
upon their feet again, while Mr.. Laplocx
ran back to the Casa, ecstatically Rugged
both the young ladies while vowing that
the three would stand together the rest of
their natural lives, left them his firearms
and the in JUNCTION to be comfortable to-
gether as well and as long as they could;
and then, in demure but still hilarious
defiance, rejoined the party, assuring the
ladies that he was at their service for the
ascent of the peak, or the descent of the
crater ITSELF if it would in the least con-
tribute to the happiness of the Laplock
family Mind.
Back at the Casa, Cecil and Janet built
rousing fire, barred the outer door,
tried the door communicating with the
little third apartment as we'll as it's outer
door, which faces the path to the crater:
cuddled themselves upon the hunks for
another refreshing sleep, and, when they
we're at last awakened by the late morn
ing sunlight streaming through the little
windows of the hospice, set themselves
diligently at the loving task their con-
spiracy and successful rebellion had made
posi- ble.
This was a letter to their betrotheds.
written by Janet, interlarded and amend
ed score of times by both, and finally
hastily transcribed and read aloud by
Cecil as follows:
DEAR WINFIELD AND Tom: We write
hastily to you from the Casa Inglesi, near the
summit of Mount Etna, where we have Sc
cured Il lew hours privacy, through an act of
absolute defiance. What may be its dreadful
results we cannot possibly imagine. We are
very miserable. CeciI's mother is determined
that we snail never see either of you again.
She also goes on terribly about lots OF other
things.
We could not have secured this fortunate
opportunity OF writing had not Cecl's poor
papa also successfully revolted. II was ter
rible scene We are very proud of him now
and love him more dearly than ever
But think, if you can, how we are situated:
Utterly alone (at this mOmenG in an old stone
hut. at the top of this dangerous volcano.
Savage beasts may be prOWling about US.
The more dreadful banditti may at any time
attack US. Indeed, only yesterday the guides
and CecifS papa saw them lurking around
the Casa where we are. But Mr.. Laplock left
his pistols with us, and we are resolved to
sell our lives dearly.
1t is all too horrible to write about further.
We both never believed human beings could
be quite so Wretched.
Did you call at Rosemary Villa? Do write
us at once to the Hotel Continental, Paris,
where we shall be in the latter part OF May.
Be sure to send the letter in Mr. LapIoc<'s
care and TO put Personal on the envelope
in several places.
Do believe us when we assure you we were
as cruelty deceived as yourselves. We were
ordered from Brighton to Fokestone, through
q deceptive dispatch from Cecil's mother.
When we learned the truth we could scarcely
bear it. How you both must have felt, too!
1t was all perfectly dreadful
We have thought you might do something.
You would have Mr.. LaPlock's manful CO.
operation now. Remember where we are to
be in May. We do not know where we may
be dragged to from Paris We are expecting
the folks back from the crater at any moment
and must close-hoping ana praying for OPP
portunity TO post this at Catania.
CECIL AND JANET.
P S.--Don't forget to send your letter to
Mr.. Laplock's care.
p S.-Write TO us the Ue1,y moment you re-
ceive this.
P S.-We are both Of as wretchedly mlsera-
BILE G. and j.