Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-08-12


doggedly. IF the sun is hidden, they
would not discover it. =" Branasko came
to him, a weird look Of interest in his
eyes.
"That is true" he said. besides,
what matters itl We may not live to
see another day."
Johnston acted on a sudden impulse.
He intended only to frighten Branasko
by moving the wheel slightly, and he
had turned it barely an eighth Of an
inch, when, as if controlled by some
powerful spring, it whirled round at
great rate, making loud, rattling noise.
To their dismay, the light went out.
"My God, what have Idone?" gasped
the American in alarm.
"Settled our fate, I have no doubt"
muttered the Alphian from the dark
ness.
Johnston had recoiled from the whirl-
ing wheel and now cautiously groped
back to it and attempted to turn it.
It would not move.
"It has caught some way" he groaned
under his breath.
"And we have no light to find the
cause Of the trouble" added the Alphi.
an, who had knelt down and was feel
ing about the wheel. Presently he rose.
II give it up" he sighed. II cannot
understand it. The machinery is some-
where inside"
"It has grown COLDER" shuddered
Johnston.
1--WE were warmed by the light, Of
course" remarked Branasko, "and now
we feel the dampness more. We are 60.
ing at frightful speed"
just then there was jar, and the
sun swung so violently from side to side
that the two men were Frustrated on
the floor. The speed seemed to slacken.
II wonder if we are going to stop"
groaned the American and he sat up
and held to Branasko. perhaps they
will draw US back to rectify the mis-
take, and them
1T cannot be done," interrupted the
Alphian. 1.-THE machinery runs only
one way. We shall simply have to finish
our journey in darkness.
"They may catch us on the other side
before the sun starts back through the
tunnel, suggested the American.
"Not unlikely" returned Branasko.
"There; we are going ahead again. One
thing in our favor is that we can more
easily escape capture in darkness than If
the sun were shining"
docs the sun stop before entering
the tunnel?"
II do not know" replied Branasko
'Perhaps somebody will be there to see
what is wrong with the light. We must
have our wits about us when we land"
Johnston was looking over the edge
Of the platform. "lf the kings display
is taking place down there, can see no
sign Of it,"
"How stupid of usl' calculated Bra
nasko "Of course clouds sufficiently
dense to hide the sun from Alpha would
also prevent us from seeing the display
below. I ought to-
He was interrupted by grand out
burst of harmony. The whole earth
seemed to vibrate with sublime melody.
"Our blunder has not been discovered
yet" finished Branasko after pause,
"else the fete down below would have
been over. am cold. Shall we go in
side?'
Johnston's 8 answer was taken out of
his mouth by a loud rafting beneath
the floor, near the wheel he had just
turned. The sun shook spasmodically
for an instant, and its entire surface
was family illuminated, but tho light
failed signally.
lit must have been an extra current
of electricity sent to relight the lamps,
remarked Johnston, and as he concluded
the sun trembled again and another
flash and failure occurred. Look"
cried the American; "the clouds are
thinning. See tho lights below They
have discovered the accident.
They both leaned over the railing and
looked below. As far as the eye could
reach, within the arc Of their vision,
they could see fitful lights flashing up
here and there and going out again.
And then they heard faint sounds OF
crashing masonry and tho condensed
roar Of human voices, which seemed to
come from above rather than from be-
low. The Alphian turned. II cannot
stand the cold," he said. Johnston fol-
lowed him. The rapid motion Of the
swinging sphere made him dizzy, and
he caught Branasko's $ arm to keep from
falling
"How can we tell when we 60 over
the WALTZ" he asked anxiously.
"We shall have to guess at it," was
rat wa
near the lower door SO as to get out
quickly if it is necessary to do SO to es-
cape detection"
In the darkness they slowly made
their way down the stairs to the great
room.
"There ought to be some way Of
making light" said the Alphian, and
his voice sounded loud and hollow in
the empty chamber. After several fail
ures to find the stairs they descended to
the door they had entered. Branasko
opened it little, and breeze came in.
They sat down on the stone, and after
awhile in sheer fatigue they fell asleep.
Hours passed. Branasko rose with
start and shook Johnston.
"Our speed is lessening" he ex'
claimed. "We must be going down. Be
ready to jump out the instant we stop!
Therei Let me open the door wider"
CHAPTER XIV.
When Tradmos spoke the words OF
warning, Thorndyke put his arm round
the princess and drew her after Trad
mos, who was fastening away in the