The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-21


more than you are, but think at such
q time we ought to realize the worst.
1t is true the clouds are not so heavy
and the earthquakes are less frequent
but unfortunately 1t 10 owing to the
fact that the volume OF water has been
turned away from the pit into the tun.
mel. Be prepared Tor the worst. II your
father cannot reach the machinery In
the east soon enough, our light Will &c
out and, worse than that, II Prince
Marentel should tail In bis next venture
with explosives all hope will be gone. "
II have never desired to live 80 much
as now," she answered, inolining with
an air OF tenderness toward him. u
never knew what It was TO fear death
till-till you came to u.s."
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 go into the cleo
trio auditorium. They returned in great
haste.
1.-THE prince is ready for the explo-
sion," painted Johnston. "Thorndyke.
old man, this is simply awful. It is not
like standing up to be shot at or being
jerked through the clouds in o balloon.
1t seems to me that out there is the end
less space Of inflnity, 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,
tho blasphemy of such paltry imita-
ton Of the handiwork of the Creator!
We are damnedl ! say damned, and by
a just and angry God"
Don't DO fool" said Thorndyke,
and he threw warning glance at Ber-
nardino, who, with staring, distended
eyes, was listening to Johnston.
mo, he is right" she said in a low
tone. II have never seen your world,
but know my people must be woefully
wrong. In your land they say men teach
things about infnity and an eternal life
for the soul, and that one may prepare
for that life by living pure and In striv-
ing to attain high spiritual state. Oh,
why have you not told me about that?
1t is the one important thing. have
long wanted to know II my soul will
DO safe at death, but can learn moth
ing Of my people. They have always
tried to rival God, and in their mad
pursuit of perfection in science they
have been reduced to-this. That black
cloud is the frown Of God. Those mad
flames may burst forth at any moment
and engulf u.s."
She uttered q low groan and hung her
head as if in prayer. Johnston and
Thorndyke were awed to silence. Never
had the Englishman loved her as at that
moment. She was no longer simply
beautiful human creature, but q diyin-
ity speaking truths from heaven itself.
He felt too unworthy to stand in her
presence, and yet his heart was aching
to comfort her.
She raised her pallid face heavenward
and extended her fair, fragile hands to-
ward the lowering sky and began to
pray. my Creator, !" she said reverent-
ly, childiahly, II have never como to
thee, but they say that people far away
from this dark land, under thy own sun,
moon and stars, do ask aid Of thee, and
|, too, want thy help. Forgive me and
my people. They have been sinful and
vain and thoughtless, but let them not
perish in utter gloom. Forgive them,
oh, thou Maker Of all that exists. Thou
Creator of pain that we may love joy,
Creator of evil that we may know good,
turn not from us. We are but thought.
less children, and thy children. Give
us time to realize the awful error Of
our hollow pretensions Give them all
now, at once, If they are to die, that
spirit which is awakened in mo by the
awful majesty Of thy anger. Hear me,
D Godl" And with a sob she sank on
her knees, clasped her hands and raised
Them upward. Thorndyke tried to lift
ner up, but she shook her head and con-
5inued her prayer in silence. A marked
change had come over Branasko. He
cooked at Johnston and Thorndyke in
strange, helpless way, and then in a
corner Of the balcony the begrimed and
altered man fell on bis knees He knew
1ot the meaning Of prayer, but there
vas something in the reverent attitude
If the princess that drew his untutored
being toward his Maker. He covered
lis face with his hands, and his shaggy
head sank to his knees.
Johnston hastened back into the au-
litorium. Returning in moment. he
ound the Englishman tenderly lifting
from her knees and Branas-
70 still crouching in corner.
What is the newsp" asked Thorn
lyke.
Everything is ready for the explo-
ion. The prince seems only waiting be-
ause he breads failure. The people in
here are so frightened that they cannot
move from their seats"
Just then Branasko raised haggard
oss She conebt his eve
mFcar nothing good man u she said
.Tbo God of The Christians will not
arm M We are safe in his hands I
elt II here In nv heart when nroved
n him Oh wbv have NV father and the
tber kings Of Alma not taught ma that