The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-08-10
FALMosT pERSuAnfD"

5NSzIssf LMoST pERSuAnfD Era
ISoStlbcHr, 1857. " TIM AgRasAss COMPANY.
Just than the man who had draw,
down the shade came In and raised II
Both the oaptives pretended to be unin
terested in his movements, but when b
had withdrawn they looked through
the glass eagerly.
"see," whispered Thorndyke in tn
ear Of his companion. 1.-THE walls ar
close to Us and ore as perpendicular a
those Of the lake In which they folnt
u.s." o.
Johnston said nothing. His attention
was riveted to the walls Of rock Thu
vessel was rising rapidly. An hou
passed. The soft music had ceased, ant
the air seemed less dense and fresher
Then the waters suddenly parted ovel
the roof and ran in crystal streaml
down the oval glass.
They were on the surface, and the
vessel was slowly gliding toward the
shore, which could not be seen, owing
to there now being no light except that
inside the boat. Captain Tradmos en-
tered, followed by two Of his men hold
ing black silken bandages.
"We must blindfcld you" he said.
"Captiyes are not allowed to see the
entrance to our kingdom.
: Without word they submitted.
"This way" said the captain kindly,
and holding to an arm Of each be pilot
ed them out Of the Vessel to the shore.
Then he led them through what they
imagined to be long stone corridor OF
arcade, from the ringing echoes Of their
feet on the stone pavement Presently
they came to what seemed to be an ele-
vator, for when they had entered it and
sat down they heard a metallic door
slide back into Its place, and they de-
scended quickly.
They could form no idea as to the
distance they went down. But Thorn
dyke declared afterward that 1t was
over 10000 feet. When the elevator
stopped, Captain Tradmos led them
out, and both Of the captives were con-
scious Of breathing the purest, most in
MIGRATING air they had ever inhaled.
Instantly their strength returned, and
they felt remarkably buoyant as they
were led along over another pavement
Of polished stone.
Tradmos laughed. "You like the at
mosphere?"
II never heard Of anything like it,"
said Thorndyke. ut is SO delightful I
can almost taste it"
1T was that which made Alpha what
it is-the most wonderful country in
the universe" said the officer. "There
is much in store for you.
The ears Of the two captives were
greeted by q vague, indeGnable hum,
like and yet unlike that of a busy city.
1t was like many farof sounds carefully
mufled. Now and then they heard hu-
man voices laughter and singing in the
distance and the twanging Of musical
Instruments.
Then they knew that they were en-
tering building Of some sort, for they
heard key turn in a lock, and the
cumming sound in the distance was cut
If. They felt soft carpet under their
leet, and the feet Of their guards no
ongez clinked Oh the stones.
When tho bandages were removed,
hey found themselves in sumptuous
alone with the captain. The
brilliant light from a quantity shaped
in the center of the cham
yer, dazzled them, but in a few minutes
heir eyes had become accustomed to it.
Tradmos seemed to be enjoying the
ooks Of establishment OH their faces as
hey glanced at the different objects in
he room.
ut is night" he said smilingly.
You need rest after your voyage. Lie
own on the beds and sleep. Tomorrow
ou will be conducted to the palace of
be king"
With bow be withdrew, and they
card massive bolt slide into the sock
Of door hidden behind curtain. |
he two men gazed at each other with
ut speaking for moment, and then
hey began to inspect the room.
In alcoves half yelled with .silken
urtains stood statues in gold and
ronze. The walls and ceilings were
ecorated with pictures unlike any they
nd ever seen. Before one, the picture
M angel flying through a dark,
ar filed sky, they both stood, enchant-
l.
what Is IT." asked Thorndyke, find
'g voice finally. "It is not done with
:ush or pencil. The features seem
i've, and, by Jove, you can actually
e it breathe Don't you see the clouds
iding by and the wings moving?"
ut is light-it is formed by lightl'
cleared the other enthusiastically, and
, ran to TIL wall, about six feet from
70 picture, and put his hand on O
uare metal box screwed to the wall.
II have it," he said quickly. Come
re-"
The Englishman advanced curiously
I'd examined the box.
Don't you see that tiny speck Of
yht in the side toward the picture2
ell, the view is thrown from this box
the wall, and it is the motion Of the
werful light that gives apparent life
the angel. 1t is wonderful.
In commodious alcove, in glow
pink light from above, was a life
ed group Of Observation-Disclosures in
lored metal Of a Spanish girl playing
an Italian with a slender
ascione, a Russian playing his jorbon
an African playing banjo. Lux
ous couches hung by spiral springs r"
m the ceiling to convenient height
IN the floor, and here and there lay
IS Of rare beauty and great ottomans
artistic designs and colors.
We ought to go to bed" proposed
"We shall have plenty Of
no to SEQ this Aladdin's land before
get away from it..
There were two large downy beds on ,
aintly wrought bedsteads Of brass, but ,
} two captives decided to sleep to- ]
her.
was the first to awaken.
Q lights in the candelabrum were ,
!, but gray light came in at the top ,
4 hotkoyp NJ tho xuirdoxu Qa roco ond | ,