The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-09-01

| dOG aSneS, SraVeI' "Slndn STONES were
falling on the roofs and the people. Now
and then cry Of pain was heard, but
they would not seek the shelter of the
buildings. If they had to die, they
wanted to fall facing the enemy. Sud-
denly the king rose. He looked to the
west and groaned. Something told them
that the explosion was coming. Exrec-
tation, horrible suspense, was in the air
There was a mighty flare of light. The
entire heavens were lighted from hcr;-
zon to horizon, and then the light wei t
out.
"Oh, I thought it, But the prin-
cess did not finish her sentence.
1.-The explosion said Thorndyke
"The sound will follow in moment. I"
my God, have mercy on us!'' cried
the king, but his prayer was drowned
in deafening sound. Bernardino had
Ieanea INTO the arms OF ner lover
"Don't despair" he said tenderly.
''The prince may have been successful. "
81 feel that he has" she replied,
"but, oh, it is dreadfulv'
The crowds below seemed to unds-
stand that their fate depended OF tire
news that would reach them in a few
minutes.
Boom, boom, h-kr .kr .kr-b boom! There
seemed to be no lessening of the volcanic
disturbance, and the earth groaned and
rocked and quivered as before.
lit is impossible to tell yet" groaned
the king. 80 God, save usl Give us a
| ,I, 4o f,,1l
Johnston bethought himself that he
might learn something in the electric
auditorium, and he went into it. 1t was
empty and dark. Not soul was there
save himself. He was turning to leave
when his eye was drawn to the great
mirror by faint pink glow appearing
upon it. He stood still, superstitious
fear coming over him as he thought OF
being alone with possible messenger
from the faraway scene Of disaster. The
light went out tremblingly; then it
flashed up again, and the American
thought he saw the face of Waldmeer.
The light grew steadier, stronger. 1t was
Waldmeer, but he was submerged in
smols, Hark, he was speaking!
"Marentel is successful. Entrance
closed temporarily and will be strength
ened. !"
Johnston rushed out to the balcony.
"I have been to the auditorium, he
announced. II have seen Waldmeer.
He says the experiment was successful.
It is closed temporarily and can be
strengthened. "
The king grasped the hand of the
4 American. ''Thank God!" he ejacu
lated. eff can only save my people, I
shall desire nothing more. The prin-
cess moved toward him affectionately,
but he put her aside and retired into
the palace.
'.He will at once communicate with
! the people," remarked Bernardino
hopefully, and she turned her face
again toward the west The red glare
was dying down and the dense clouds
in the sky were thinning In an hour
the face of the sun broke through the
smoke, and the flying machines of the
protectors began to return.
|
That night the king caused the pink
light of the "Ideal Dawn" to food the
eastern sky, and as before he appeared
in a circle of dazzling light and adj
dressed his subjects.
''All danger to life is over, but the
ultimate fate of Alpha is sealed. Prince
Marentel has effectually closed the en-
trance of the ocean, but the internal
fires are gradually burning through the
rocky bed of the ocean. In a couple of
years Alpha will be demolished. All
our wealth shall be equally distributed
among you, and my ships shall trans
port you to whatever destination you
desire Let there be no haste. Order
shall be preserved throughout. -
That was all. The king bowed, and
the picture faded from view. A deep
silence was over everything. The only
light came from the stars and from the
moon. Then there was sound like the
wind passing over vast forest OF dry
leaved trees. The people were returning
to their homes.