Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-07-01
CHAPTER M.


"What is It, Thorndyke1 What are
you looking ats" And the American
slowly left the bed and approached his
friend.
Thorndyke only held tho curtain
farther back and watched Johnston's
face as he looked through the wide
plate glass window.
my graciousl" calculated the latter
as he drew nearer 1t was wondrous
scene. The building In which they were
imprisoned stood on gentle hill clad
In luxuriant, smoothly cut grass and
ornamentsd with beautiful flowers and
plants, and below lay splendid city
O city built on undulating ground, with
tnnumerable grand structures Of white
marble, with turrcts, domcs and pin
naclcs Of gold. Wide streets paved in
polished stone and bordered with lush
green grass interspersed with statues
and beds and mounds Of strange plants
and flowers stretched away in front Of
them till they were lost In tho dim,
misty distance. Parks filled with pa.
vilions, pleasure lakes. fountains and
tortuous drives and walks dotted tho
landscape in all direotiona
Thorndyke's breath had cloudcd the
glass Of the window, and he rubbed 1t
with his handkerchief. As he did go
the sash slowly and without particle
of sound slid to one side, disclosing O
narrow balcony outside. 1t had a grace.
ful balustrade, made Of carved red and
white mottled marble, and on the end
Of the balcony facing tho city sat
great gold and silver jug. ten feet high,
Of rare design. The spout was formed
by the body Of dragon with wings ex-
tended. The handle was o serpent with
the extremity Of its tail coiled around
the neck Of tho Jug.
The air that came In at the window
was fresh and dewy and laden with the
most enhancing odora Thorndyke led
the way out, treading very gently at
frst. Johnston followed him, too much
surprised to make my comment From
this position their view to the left round
the corner of the building was widened.
and new wonders appeared Oh every
hand
Over the polished stone pavcmens
strange vehicles ran noiselessly. as II
the wheels had cushioned tires. and the
streets were crowded with an active,
strangely clad populace.
LOOK at that!" exclaimed tho Amer
ican, and from a street corner they saw
O queer looking machine. carrying half
a dozen passengers, rise like bird with
wings outspread aud fly away toward
the east. They watched it till it disap'
peared in the distance.
1--WE are indeed in wonderland, said
the Englishman. II can't make head
or tail Of it. We were Oh an isolated
island, the Lord only knows where,
and have suddenly been transported to
q new world"
II can't feel at all as if we were in
the world we were born in," returned
Johnston. II feel strange"
1.-THE wine" suggested the English
man-"you know it did wonders fer us
in that saltwater thing"
''No, the wine has nothing to do
with it My head never WAS clearer.
The very atmosphere is peculiar. The
air is invigorating, and can't get
enough Of it."
"That is exactly the way I feel, "was
Thorndyke's answer.
LOOK at the sunlight" went on
Johnston. 1T is gray like our dawn,
but SEQ how transparent It's. You can
look through it for miles and miles. It
is becoming pink in the east. The sun
will soon be up, and am curious to see
it."
lit must be up now, but we cannot
see it for the hills and buildings. My
goodness. see thatW And the English
man pointed to the east. A food Of del
icate pink light was now pouring into
the vast body Of gray and was slowly
driving the moro somber color toward
the west. The line of separation was
marked-so marked; indeed, that it
seemed vast, rose colored billow roll
ing, widening and sweeping onward
like swell Of the ocean shoreward. On
it came rapidly till the whole land
ronnn woe maoitallv rhaneed The flow.