Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1897-08-05

rang with cries of terrified people. Ughl
I don't want to dream so again; I'd
rather not sleep at all. But, hush, what
is that"
Far away, as if il the center of the
earth, they heard low monotonous
rumbling. They listened breathlessly.
Every moment the sound increased.
They could feel the ground trembling as
if shaken by al earthquake.
1T is the coming sum-" said Branas-
ko. "We must get nearer the tunnel
and see what chn be done. It would be
useless to try to 90 back now"
Stealing along in the shadow Of the
cliffs to keep from being seen by the
workmen on the plateau above, they
climbed over rocky incline and saw
in the side Of a towering cliff great
black hole. 1t was tho mouth Of the
tunnel. Into 1t ran eight wide tracks of
railway aud six mammoth cables, each
30 or 80 feet in diameter.
"The sun cannot be far away now,"
remarked the AlphiaH.
Is it not lighted?"
~ presume not. I think it comes
through in darkness. The light is saved
for its passage over Alpha"
"Would it not be as safe for us to at
tempt to walk through the tunnel to the
palace of the king?'
Never 1t would be over so miles in
utter darkness. There may be 1000
trestles and bridges over frightful
chasms. For the most part have heard
the tunnel is natural channel or sue
cession of caverns united by tunnels.
The other is the safer way, though it
certainly is risky enough. -
Louder and nearer grew the rumbling
noise, and faint light began to shine
from the tunnel and flash Oh the cliff
opposite.
'It is the sun s headlight, explained
Branasko.
Johnston was thrilled to the center of
his being as he saw the light playing
over the polished tracks and cables and
illuminating the walls of the great tun-
mel.
Suddenly there was deep, mellow
toned stroke of bell in the sun, and as
the deeper shade of the cliff the great
globe, stupendous ball Of crystal 800
feet in height, slowly emerged from the
mouth of the tunnel and came to stop
under the opening in the rock which led
to tho space above.
"What had we better do now?" said
Johnston.
wait" cautioned Branasko, and he
drew the American to great bowlder
nearer tho sun, from behind which they
could, without being seen, watch the
action of the crowd Of workmen that
was hurriedly approaching. They placed
ladders Of steel against the sides OF tho
sun and swarmed over it like bees.
"They are cleaning the glass and ad-
justing the lights" said the Alphian.
wait till they 90 round to the other
side. Don't you see that square opening
near the ground?"
The American nodded.
"It is the door, said Branasko, land
we must try to enter it while they are
on the other side. Let US slip nearer.
There is another rock ahead that we
can hide behind" Suiting the action to
the word, Branasko led the way, stoop-
ing near to the ground until both were
safely ensconccd behind the bowldor in
question. They were now so near that
they could hear the electricians rubbing
tho glass.
One who seemed to be superintend-
ing the work opened the door and went
into the sun and lighted bright light.
From where they were crouched john
ston and Branasko caught view OF a
little hall, flight Of stairs and some
pictures Oh the walls.
Presently the man extinguished the
light and came out
"Thcy are removing their ladders
from this side," said Branasko in
whisper. 'Be ready. We must act
quickly and without particle Of sound.
Run straight for that door and climb
up the steps Immediately.
The men had all gone round to the
other side, and no one was in sight.
"Quick Follow me-" And bending
low to the earth the Alphian darted
across the intervening space and into
the doorway. Johnston was quite as
successful. AS he entered the door he
saw Branasko crawling up the carpeted
stairs ahead of him, and, on his all
fours, he followed. The first landing
was large, and there in the wall they
found a closet. Itwould have been dark
but for dim light that streamed down
from above. Branasko opened the closet
door. "We must hide here for the pres
ent," he whispered.
They had barely got seated Oh the
floor and closed the door when bright
light broke round them and they heard
somebody ascending the stairs. The per-
son passed by and went on farther up.
The two adventurers dared not exchange
a word. They could hear the footsteps
above and the sound of the electricians
outside as they polished the lights and
moved their ladders from place to place.
'If he should stay, what could we
do?" asked Johnston, after a long pause,
and when the footsteps sounded farther
away.
"There are two of us and one Of
him." grimly replied the brawny AL
phian.
Johnston shuddered. Lets not COM
NIT murder in any emergency, y he said.
"It would not be murder. Every man