The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-10

self or amy of his family"
The clouds still covered the sup, but
on the eastern. sky its rays were shining
gloriously. Ever and anon there sound
ed from afar low rumbling as if the
earth were swelling with heat.
Johnston left the two lovers together
and went TO the door Of the electric au.
dtorium, and over the heads of the
breathless crowd he watched the great
mirror. After few moments Waldmeer
appeared and spoke:
Prince Marentel is operating with
great difficulty. A large quantity of his
explosives has been injured by water,
but he hopes there is enough left intact
to serve his purpose. The final explo-
sion will soon take place. The greatest
peril hangs over Alpha
Waldmeer's reflection was becoming
indistinct, ard sick at heart the Amer
lean elbowed his way through the
muttering crowd into the corridor.
Here he met Branasllo, and together
they walked back to Thorndyke and the
princess, who were mutely watching
the signs in the east. Just then the sun
slowly emerged from the cloud.
Look cried Belnardino in horror.
"The cloud is rot moving, the sun has
not stopped 1t is going down, and we
shall soon be in utter darkness. Oh, it
is awful--to die in this way"
The king had just returned, and he
overheard her words. He came hastily
TO the edge of the balcony and gazed at
the sun. The others held their breath
and waited
His face became more rigid. He sway
ed little as he turned to her.
"You are right, my daughter, he
groaned. 1T is going down. The cow
ardly dogs in the east have deserted
their posts. 1t is going down. 1t will
sink into tunnel filled with water, and
the light Of Alpha will be extinguished
forever. We are undone. Say your pray
ers, my child, your prayers, l tell you,
for an infinite God is angry at our pre-
tensions. "
Don't despair, father" And Ber-
nardino put her arms gently round the
old mans neck. "You understand the
solar machinery. Could you not stop
the sun?'
The eyes of the old man flashed. He
seemed electrified as he drew himself
from her embrace and looked anxiously
over the balustrade to flying machine
in the street below.
81 might reach the east in time" he
cried. Eyes, you are right. was act
ing cowardly. The fastest airship in
Alpha is ready, and Nanleon can drive
it to its utmost speed. If the worst
comes, l shall see you no more. Good
by!" IA kissed her brow tenderly, and
her eyes filled as he FASTENED away.
Down below they saw him spring light
ly into the gold mounted car, and the
next instant the graceful vessel rose
above the palace roof and sped like an
arrow across the sky toward the east.
A faint cheer broke from the lips of
the crowd, Which seemed suddenly to
take new hope from the kings de
parture. Some Of them waved their
hats and scarfs, and many watched the
airship till it had disappeared in the
murky distance.
He may not get there in timel'
cried the princess. "It seems TO be 60
ing down faster than it ever did before,
and he has IA great distance TO &c"
TIE little party on the balcony were
silent Tor Il long time. Presently Ber-
nardiuo turned her fearful eyes TO the
face OF Thorndyke
1.-THE smoke and steam do not seem
so voluminous. Do you think all will
go well?'
The Englishman slowly shook his
head. 81 don't want to depress you
more than you are, but think at such
a time we ought to realize the worst.
1t is true the clouds are not SO heavy
and the earthquakes are less frequent.
but unfortunately it is owing to the
fact that the volume of water has been
turned away from the pit into the tun-
mel. Be prepared for the worst. If your
father cannot reach the machinery in
the east soon enough, our light will go
out, and, worse than that, if Prince
Marentel should fail in his next venture
with explosives all hope will be gone. "
Il have never desired to live so much
as now," she answered, inclining with
an air of tenderness toward him. II
never knew what it was to fear death
till-till you came to us. ="
He made no reply. There was lump
in his throat, and he could not trust his
voice to speech. Branasko and Johnston
left them together to 60 into the cleo
trio auditorium. They returned in great
haste.
"The prince is ready for the explo-
sion," painted Johnston. "Thorndyke,
old man, this is simply awful. 1t is not
like standing up to be shot at or being
jerked through the clouds in balloon
1t seems to me that out there is the end
less space of infinity, and that all the
material world is coming to an end
My God, look at that hellish fire, the
awful smoke and that black sky! Oh,
the blasphemy of such a paltry imita-
ton of the handiwork Of the Creatorl
We are damned! I say damned, and by
just and angry God"
Don't be fool" said Thorndyke,
and he threw warning glance at Der.