The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-18
"But how 10 the light changeda"
eg1yad Johnston curionelv

But now 10 the light changeur
asked Johnston curiously.
"By some shifting of glasses through
which the rays shine, presume, re-
turned the Alphian, "but the mechan'
ism seems to be concealed in tie walls
Of the GLOBE
Not word was spoken for an hour.
They had lain down Oh the platform
near the iron railing which encom.
passed it, and Branasko was doing in.
termittently. Again the light began to
change gradually. This time it was
gray. Johnston put out his hand to
touch Branasko. but the Alphian was
awake. He sat up and nodded, smiling.
wait till the next hour" he said. "It
will be rose color. That is tho most
beautiful.
Slowly the hours dragged by till the
yellow light showed that it was the
sixth hour. Branasko had been explor-
ing the vast interior below and came
back to Johnston, who was asleep Oh
tho floor of the platform.
IT have just thought Of something"
said Branasko. "This is the day ap-
pointed by the king to entertain his SUBJ
jects with a grand display Of the ele-
ments.
"Ido not understand, said Johnston.
"The king" explained tho Alphian,
"darkens the sun with clouds so that
all Alpha is blacker than night, and
then no produces great storms in the
sky and lightning and musical thunder.
We may, perhaps, hear the music, but
VIC cannot witness tho storm and elec-
trio display Oh account Of the light
about us. 1t usually begins at this hour,
so be silent and listen."
After few minutes there was rum
bic from below like the roar Of volcano
and All answering echo from the black
dome overhead. This died away and
was succeeded by q crash Of musical
thunder that thrilled Johnston 8 being
to its very core Branasko's face was
aglow with enthusiasm.
'Grand, glorious!" ho calculated.
"But if only you could see the light
ming and tho dawn in tbs east you would
remember it all your life. Tho sunlight
is cut off from Alpha by tho clouds, and
there is no light except the wonderful
effects in the sky"
Johnston had gone back to the wheel
and was examining it curiously.
Il have mind to turn of the cur
rent for moment anyway" he said
dcggedly. "If the sun is hidden, they
would not discover it,. Branasko camo
to him, weird look Of interest in his
eyes.
"That is true" he said. "Besides,
what matters it? We may not live to
sec another day"
JChnston 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 somo
powerful spring, it whirled round at
greatrate, making loud, rattling noise.
To their dismay, the light went out.
"My God, what have doro?" gasped
tho American i'll alarm.
"Settled cur fate, I have no doubt"
muttered tho Alphian from tho dark
ness.
Johnston had recoilcd from the whirl-
ing wheel and now cautiously groped
back to it and attempted to turn it,
II would not move.
ut has caught some way he groaned
under his breath.
"Aud we havo no light to find the
cause CT the trouble" added the Alphi-
an, who had knelt down and was feel
ing about the wheel. Presently he rose.
81 give it up" ho sighed. II cannot
understand it. The machinery is some
where inside"
at has grown COLDER" shuddered
Johnston.
"We were warmed by tho light, Of
course" remarked Branasko, "and now
We feel the dampness more. We are &C.
ing at frightful speed"
Just then there was q jar, and tic |
sun swung so violently from side to side |
that the two men were prostrated On
the floor. The speed seemed to slacken
II wonder if we are going to STOP"
groaned the American, and ho sat up
and held to Branasko. "Pcrhaps they |
will draw US back to rectify tho mis-.
take, and them
ut cannot be DONE" interrupted the
Alphian. 1.-THE machinery runs Cnly
one way. We shall simply have to finish
our journey in darkness.
"They may catch US on the ether side
before tho sun starts back through the
suggested tho American.
"Not unlikely" returned Branasko.
There; we aro going ahead again. One
thing in our favor is that we can mere
easily escape capture in darkness than if
tho sun were shining"
does the sun stop before entering
the tunnel!"
II do not know replied Branasko.
Perhaps somebody will be there to SEQ
what is wrong with the light. We must
have our wits about us when we land"
Johnston was locking over the edge
If the platform. "If tho kings display
is taking place down there, l can see no
sign Of it."
"How stupid of usl' calculated Bra.
lasko. "Of course clouds sufficiently
lense to hide the sun from Alpha would
also prevent us from seeing the display
below. l ought to-
He was interrupted by grand out
1uIst Of harmony. The whole earth
'eemed to vibratc with sublime melody.
Our blunder has not been discovered
,ct," finished Branasko after pause,
else the fote down below would have
been over. am cold. Shall we go i'll
;ide?"
Johnston's answer was taken out Of
lis mouth by a loud rattling beneath
he floor, near the wheel he had just
urned. The sun shook spasmodically
'or an instant, and its entire surface
vas family illuminated, but the light
allied signally.
'lt must have been an extra current
# electricity sent to relight tho lamps"
emarkod Johnston, and as he concluded
he sun trombled again and another
lash and failuro occurred "LOOk,n