The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-07-21
HOW BROS. e. CO.

man. Ecu WniIu now understand nov
your sun goes over the whole of Alph,
| cannot see how it returns.
'Then you have not heard of til,
great tunnel of the sum- replied tn,
Alphian.
''No. What is it?'
1T runs beneath Alpha and connects
the rising and setting points of thu
sun. There is point beneath the kings
palace where, by a staircase, the kine
and his officers may go down and in
spect the sun as it is OH its way back te
the east during the day.
Wonderfully
land once a year royal party goes
in the sun over its entire course. 1t is
said that it is sumptuously furnished
inside and not too warm, the lights be-
ing only innumerable small ones on the
outside. !"
The two men were silent for mo-
ment. Then Johnston said:
Perhaps we might be able to get in
to it unobserved and be thus carried
over to the other side or. reach the pal
ace through the tunnel.
Branasko started convulsively, and
then, as he looked into the earnest eyes
Of the American, he said despondently:
We have got to die anyway. 1t may
be well for us to think Of it, but on the
other side, in the Barrens, there is no
more chance for escape than here. But
the adventure would at least give us
something to think about. Let's try it. 7"
"All right, but how can we get down
there where the sun starts to rise?" ask
ed the American, peering cautiously
over the edge of the hole.
''There must be some way answer.
eel Branasko. "Ah, see! Farther to the
left there are some lodges. Let's see
what can be done that way
81 am with you.
The rays Of the departing sun were
almost gone, and the electric lights
down among the machinery seemed affair
off like stars reflected in deep water.
With great difficulty the two men low
cred themselves from one sharp ledge
to another till they had gone half down
to the Hottom.
1t j no use,' said Branasko, peer
ing ovr the lowest ledge. "There are
no MOE lodges, and this one juts out so
far that even if there were smaller ones
beneath we could not get to them
TFat is true, }" agreed the American.
But look! Is not that lake beneath?
l think it must be, for the lights are re-
fiectel ON its surface. y
9ou are right" answered Branas-
10, land now see chance for us to
get own safely"
'tHow?''
The workers are too far from the
laki to see u.s. We can drop into the
w4er and swim ashore y
I Would they not hear the splashing
ofbur bodies?''
Il think not, but first let's expert
nent with big stone"
Suiting the action to the word, they
fcured stone weighing about 70
iounds and brought it to the ledge
Carefully poisilg it in midair, they let
It go. Down it went, cutting the air
with sharp, whizzing sound. They
listened, breathless, but heard no sound
as the rock struck the water and the
men among the machinery seemed un-
disturbed. Only the widening circles of
rings on the lakes surface indicated
where the Stone had fallen.
"Goodp' calculated the Alphian.
Are yen equal to such plunge? The
water must be deep, and we won't be
hurt at all if only we can keep our feet
downward and hold our breath long
enough. Our clothing will soon dry
Town there, for feel the warmth that !
zones from below.
The Alphian slowly craw1ed cut en-
he sharpest prcjecticn Of tie, ledge. /,
i Are yen willing to try it," he asked
|ver lis shoulder.
eyes.
"Well, wait till you see me swim
lhore and then follow
Johnston shuddered as the strong fell
Nv swuRg himself owe. tie ledge and /
ing downward
tsAdseu,' said Branas.;;o, ind he LET
tH Lev j he fell. - s.saif.IsE "a N ar