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

They are ready" whispered Ber-
nardino. "Now, watch and listen"
The pink light on the mirror faded,
and lifelike reflection appeared-the
reflection of a young man standing on a
rock in bold relief against dark back
ground of rugged, slabbering cliffs and
the forbidding mouths of caves.
"Waldmeer!" CALCULATED the princess,
and she relapsed into silence.
The young man held in his hand a
cup shaped instrument from which ex-
tended wire to the ground. He raised
it to his lips, and instantly calm, de-
liberate voice came from the mirror,
soft and low, and yet loud enough to
reach the most remote parts of the great
room.
1.-THE ocean," began he, sis pouring
into the Volcano of the Dead i'll grad
ually increasing torrent. Prince Maren
tel hopes temporarily to delay the crisis
by partially turning the torrent away
from the pit into the lowlands of the
country. For that purpose portion of
the endless wall is being torn down
and Marentel's forces are placing their
explosives. After this is done an at
tempt will be made to stop the original
break. There is, however, little hope.
The prince has warned the king to be
prepared for the worst"
At this point the speaker turned as if
startled toward the red glare at his right.
He quickly picked up another instru-
ment attached to wire and put it to
his ear. A look of horror changed his
face as he turned to the audience and
began to speak:
1.-The opening in the wall is not pro-
crossing rapidly. Workmen are drown
ing and the tunnel of the sun is filling
with water. 1t will be impossible for
the sun to 60 through to the east"
Just then there was a PARKWAY crash,
and instantly the mirror was void.
There was now no sound except the low
groans of women in the audience and
the subdued curses of maddened men.
The silence was profound. Then the
mirror began to glow, and the image of
another man took Waldmeer's place.
1T is the mayor of Telmantio, !"
whispered the princess, "a place near
the western limits of Alpha.
He held like instrument - the one
used by Waldmeer, and through it
spoke:
Venus, one of the great stars, has
been shaken from the armament. 1t
fell III the suburbs of Telmantio and
many lives were lost. !"
That was all, and the figure vanished.
Presently Waldmeer reapFeared. He
seemed to be standing nearer the pit,
for the entire background was afiame.
Volumes of black smoke now and then
hid him from view, and a thick show
eT Of ashes and small stones was fall
ing round him. He sEcl., but his voice
was drowned in deaiemug explosion,
and the whole landscape about him
seemed afire. In the semidarkness hun
dreds of protectors could be seen strug-
Cling i'll the rushing water, moving
stones and building dam. Waldmeer
| again faced his faroff audience and
spoke:
Prince Marentel has turned the
course of the stream. All now depends
on the success or failure of his final test
with explosives, which will take place
in about half an hour. -
ave ought to go outside again, sug-
gested Bernardino as Waldmeer's i'm
age disappeared. my father might
want us. q"
Seeing no one in the kings apart
ment, they passed through it to the bal
cony. Half the sky was now covered
with mingled fog and smoke, and the
sun could be seen only now and then.
A drizzling rain was falling, rain
that brought down clots of ashes and
SCOT, but this made no difference to the
throngs in the now muddy and slippery
streets. They stood shivering in damp
and soiled clothing. their clearing eyes
fixed hopelessly on the lowering signs
in the west.
Johnston noticed bent figure crouch
ed against wall beneath them.
1t was Branasko.
"Who is it?" inquired the princess.
"Branasko, the companion of my ad-
ventures" he replied.
Call him to us" she said eagerly,
and the American went down to the
Alphian.
AS they entered together BranaskO
uncovered his disheveled head and
bowed most humbly.
"You look tired and sick and hungry.
Have you eaten anything today?" she
asked.
mot in two days." he replied.
The princess called to a frightened
maid who was wringing her hands in q
corridor.
"Give this man food and drink at
once, she ordered, and Branasko, with
grateful bow and glance, withdrew.
Johnston followed him to the door.
Fear nothing" he said. IF the
danger passes, we are safe. The king
has promised to pardon me, and he will
do the same for you.
There is no hope for any Of u.s." re-
piled Branasko grimly, "but do not
want to die with this gnawing in my
stomach. Adieu''
IF the worst comes. is there any