The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-07-28

wait, cautioned DrauasKo, and he
drew the American to great bowlder
nearer the sun, from behind which they
could. without being seen, watch the
action of the crowd of workmen that
was hurriedly approaching. They placed
ladders of steel against the sides Of the
sun and swarmed over it like bees.
''They are cleaning the glass and adj
justing the lights. said the AIphian.
wait till they go round to the other
side. Don't you see that square opening
near the ground?''
The American nodded
1t is the door, said Branasko, "and
we must try to enter it while they are
ON the other side. Let us slip nearer.
! There is another rock ahead that we
/ can hide behind" Suiting the action to
/ the word, Branasko led the way, stoop-
/ ing near to the ground until both were
, safely ensconced behind the bowlder in
question. They were now SO near that
! they could hear the electricians rubbing
). the glass. y
One who seemed to be superintend
!, ing the work opened the door and went
] into the sun and lighted bright light
From where they were crouched john
) ston and Branasko caught view Of
little hall. fight OF stairs and some
T, pictures on the walls.
Presently the man extinguished the
light and came out.
''They are removing their ladders
from this side,'' said Branasko III
whisper. ''Be ready. We must act
quickly and without a particle of sound.
Bun straight for that door ard climb
up the steps Immediately.
+ The men had all gone round to the
other side, and no one was in sight.
Quick! Follow me-" And bending
low to the earth the Alphian darted
across the intervening space and into
the, doorway. Johnston was quite as
successful AS he entered the door he
saw Branasko crawling up the carpeted
stairs ahead of him, and, on his all
fours, he followed. The first landing
was large, and there in the wall they
found closet. It would have been dark
but for dim light that .streamed down
from above. Branasko opened the closet
door. I'VE must hide here for the pres
emit, . he whispered.
i They had barely got seated on the
j floor and closed the door when bright
light broke round them and they heard
somebody ascending the stairs The per-
son passed by and went on farther up.
j The two Adventures dared not exchange
q werd. They could hear the footsteps
Il above and the sound OF the electricians
outside as they polished the lights and
moved their ladders from place to place.
i If he should stay, what could we
do?" asked Johnston, after long pause.
and when the footsteps sounded farther
away.
i s.There are two of as and one Of
him.. grimly replied the brawny AL
phian.
Johnston shuddered. Lets not COM
! init murder in any emergency, he said.
i st would not be murder. Every man
4 has right to s..ve his own life. -
Nothing more was said just then, fol
the footsteps,were growing nearer. The
man was descending. He crossed the
landing they were on and went down
the last fight Of stairs and out of the
4 door,
q Branasko rubbed his rough hands to-
i gether. We are going alone, " he said
with satisfaction.
There was sound of sliding ladders
on the walls outside. The worEnen hac
a finished their task. A moment later I
great bell overhead rang mellowly. The
colossal sphere trambled and rocked ant
then rose and swung easily forward lik'
the car of balloon.
1--WE are rising" said the Alphian il
4 tone of superstitious awe. Johnstcl
said nothing There was cool, sinking
sensation iii his stomach and his heas
was swimming. Branasko. however
was iii possession Of all his faculties
1--WE shall soon be through the shat
we first discovered aud throw our hgh
over Alpha As he spoke the space
about them broke into binding bright
ness, and for few moments they coult
only open their eyes toy an instant a !