The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1898-09-01
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"The God of the Christians will no
harm us. We are safe in his hands.
felt it here in my heart when ! prayet
to him. Oh, why have my father and tn,
other kings of Alpha not taught us tina
grand, simple truth? But before die
want to leave this dark pit of sin ant
look out once into endless, world filled
space. -
A joyous flush came into the face O.
the Alphian. His fear had vanished
She had promised him safety. He bow
ed worshipfully, but he spoke not, TO
| Bernardino was eagerly pointing to the
sun.
"Lookn' she cried gleefully, will
the merry tremolo of happy, surprised
child. "The sun is not moving. Father
has been successful. 1t is good omen
God will save US. F."
1t was true. The sun was standing
still. A deep silence was Oh the city
The crowds in the streets neither moved
aor spoke Without niurmur Or com.
olaint they stood facing the frowning
west Suddenly the silence was inter
:upted by low volcanic rumble. The
earth ieaved and rolled, and far away
in the suburbs of the city the srire of a
public building fell with a loud crash.
A groan swept from mouth to mouth
and then died away.
"The cloud is increasing rapidly, "
said Thorndyl,e. Il can really see little
hope. I shall return in a moment. "
While he was gone Bernardino knelt
and prayed. Again overcome with fear,
Branasko crouched down in his corner.
Another shudder and rumble from the
earth. another long moan from the peo-
pie. Thorndyke came back. He spoke
to the princess:
"The dam built by Prince Marentel
has been swept away. The ocean is
pouring into the internal fires. There is
scarcely any hope now" Branasko
groaned, but Bernardino's face was
aglow with celestial faith. She shook
her head.
"They will not be destroyed in this
way" she said. ''They have had no
chance to know God"
cit all depends on the explosion,
which may take place at any moment. I"
And Thorndyke took her into his arms
and whispered into her ear, II do not
care for myself, but cannot bear to
think of your suffering pain"
She answered only by pressing his
hand. The clouds were now rolling up
ward in greater volume than ever. It
was growing darker. The little group
on the balcony could now scarcely see
the people below them. The fall Of
damp ashes was resumed. The air had
grown hot and close.
Boom, boom, boom! The streets Of
the city rose and fell with the unduiat-
ing motion &C a yelling sea. Blacker
and blacker grew the sky, closer and
closer the atmosphere, damper and
damper became the fog, thicker and
thicker fell the wet sand and ashes.
Perhaps we would be safer in tie
Streets" suggested Thorndyke, drawing
Bernardino closer into his arms. 1.-The
palace may fall Oh US. )" But the princess
shook her head. Father would not
know where to find me. I shall await
him here" Branasko had edged nearer
to her. His eyes were glued on her
face, and he hung on her words as if his
fate were in her hands. He had no re-
gard for the opinions of the others.
''The explosion will soon take place
now unless something has happened
contrary to the expectations of the
prince" said the Englishman.
Boom! Boom! -kr-kr- kr- boom! The
noise seemed to shake the earth to its
center. Now the faraway pit was
belching forth fire and molten lava rath-
er than steam and smoke. The flames
had spread out against the sloping roof
of the cavern and seemed to extend for
mile along the horizon. "They can do
nothing in that heat" exclaimed John
ston. "They could not get near enough
to the pit. Thorndyke, old fellow, I
can't see ghost of chance We might
as we'll say goodby."
''Hush!" 1t was the voice of the prin-
cess. Il feel that we shall not he lost, I
say" And as she spoke Branasko crept
toward her and raised the hem of her
gown to his white lips. Something dark
came between them and the faroff
glare. 1t was a flying machine.
- cit is father" cried Bernardino, and
she called out to him: Father! Fa-
Their! Here we are, waiting for you. !"
In a moment he was with them.
''All right in the east he said
gloomily. "Baryonay is there. They de-
serted him, but they returned when the
flames went down. This is awful,
daughter. 1t means death. 1t means an
Inhalation. "
She put her arms round his neck and
drew his face close to hers. "No, no, :"
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