The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-08

which the rays shine, presume, re-
turned the Alphian, 'but the mechan-
ism seems to be concealed in the walls
of the globe -
Not word was spoken for an hour.
They had lain down on 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. lit
will be rose color. That is the most
beautiful. T"
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 on
the floor Of the platform.
Il have just thought of something"
said Branasko. This is the day APP
pointed by the king TO entertain his sub
jects with grand display of the ele-
ments. "
II do not understand, "said Johnston.
"The king" explained the Alphian,
"darkens the sun with clouds so that
all Alpha is blacker than night, and
then he produces great storms in the
sky and lightning and musical thunder.
We may, perhaps, hear the music, but
we cannot witness the storm and cleo
trio display on account of the light
about u.s. 1t usually begins at this hour,
so be silent and listen.''
After few minutes there was rum
BILE from below like the roar of volcano
and an answering echo from the black
dome overhead. This died away and
was succeeded by crash Of musical
thunder that thrilled Johnston s being
to its very core. Branasko's face was
aglow with enthusiasm.
Grand, gloriousW he CALCULATED.
"But if only you could see the light
ming and the dawn in the east you would
remember it all your life. The sunlight
is cut off from Alpha by the 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.
81 have mind to turn off the cur
rent for moment anyway" he said
doggedly. IF the sun is hidden, they
would not discover it. Branasko came
to him, weird look of interest in his
eyes.
THAT is true" he said. besides,
what matters it? We may not live to
see another day.
He intended only to brighten Branasko
by moving the wheel slightly, and he
had turned it barely an eighth of an
inch, when, as if controlled by some
powerful spring, it whirled round at a
great rate, making loud, rafting noise.
To their dismay, the light went out.
My God, what have doner' gasped
the American in alarm.
Settled our fate, have no doubt, !"
muttered the Alphian from the dark
ness.
Johnston had recoiled from the whirl-
ing wheel and now cautiously CROPPED
back to it and attempted to turn it.
1t would not move.
1t has caught some way" he groaned
under his breath.
And we have no light to find the
cause Of the trouble" added the Alphi-
an, who had knelt down and was feel
ing about the wheel. Presently he rose.
II give it up" he sighed. Il cannot
understand it. The machinery is some
where inside. ~
1T has grown COLDER" shuddered
Johnston.
eve were warmed by the light, of
course, remarked Branasko, land now
we feel the dampness more. We are 60
ing at frightful speed.
Just then there was jar, and the
sun swung SO violently from side to side
that the two men were Frustrated on
the floor. The speed seemed to slacken.
II wonder If we are going to stop,
groaned the American, and he sat up
and held to Branasko. perhaps they
will draw us back to rectify the mis-
take, and them
1T cannot be DONE" interrupted the
Alphian. ''The machinery runs only
one way. We shall simply have to finish
our journey in darkness.
"They may catch us on the other side
before the sun starts back through the
tunnel" suggested the American.
mot unlikely" returned Branasko.
There; we are going ahead again. One
thing in our favor is that we can more
easily escape capture IN darkness than il
Il