The Washington times., 1903-03-15
CHAPTER XVI.
AFTER The CATASTROPHE.

1t was broad daylight. a deep silence
reigned in the Tehbali observatory
when Norbert opened his eyes The in
tensity Of the silence was remarkable
II was. in the strictest sense. a death
like silence.
The day was a brilliant one and the
heat quite overpOwering.
At first Norbert had some difficulty in
recoIIecting what had happened.
He found himself on his back. thrown
down doubtless by the first shock OF
the cataclysm. on an Arab divan under
meath the ebony shelf in the Hall OF
Motors. Everything around was in dis
order: the furniture scattered about.
and the electric apparatus twisted.
while the magnetometer lay on the
ground broken. as also we're all the OBJ
jects Of porcelain
Gertrude, Fatima. the doctor. the bar
onet and the valet lay round about.
some on the sofa, where the earthquake
had found them. the others on the mat
ting that covered the floor.
Norbert's first care was 70 run 10 the
assistance OF Mile Kersain. whose
name. as We know. had been the last
on his lips. She was in a deep swoon.
but otherwise apparently unframed
Her pulse beat feebly. and a faint sigh
came through her half closed bps.
From her Norbert instinctlvely turn
ed to the doctor. He was crouched
under the armchair. where, when the
shock came. he had been quietly drink
ing his tea Seemingly his alarm had
~ In eli srrcF
touched him on the arm and he awoke.
rubbing his eyes vigorously and looking
about him In evident establishment.
he jumped TO hts feet. but for mo-
ment was silent as IL stupefed. Then
turning TO Norbert. he said:
What has happened TO us2'
81 cannot say; bpt It is a blessing
TO see you again Come to your niece
first. There she is. quite unconscious
Letting himself be led TO the sofa,
the doctor took the girls hand and felt
her pulse. mechanically. as "a were.
standing there silent and motionless,
as il he had no power TO speak
Her pulse beats. at all vents. does
It not?" impatiently asked Norbert who
had seized her other hand What
ought 10 be done7''
With. as il seemed. a Tremendous
effort OF the viii the doctor muttered
dreamily the words:
Medicine chestt"
Norbert understood. He ran into the
adjoining office 70 fetch the chest.
stumbling on the way over Virgil. who
lay insensible on the floor. and quickly
FASTENED back.
What medicine shall I give your" he
asked. as he pressed the spring lock
"Sulphuric ether" answered the doc
tor, still dreamily.
Seeing that il was useless to ask for
further instructions. Norbert took the
little bottle so labeled out Of it's case.
and held it under Gertrude's nostrils
moistening at the same time her tenn
pies and forehead
The rapid evaporation OF the fluid was
instantly followed by a sensation of
freshness, which soon revived the young
girl. She opened her eyes. sat up on the
couch. and looked about her with aston
ishment
"Fatima'" she murmured family. on
seeing her companion still insensible.
she is unconscious, as we all were
1--WE minutes ago said Norbert. as he
went up to the little maid and admins
tered ether to her also. But she will
soon revive. Look!'
"Fatima," repeated Gertrude Poor
little girl. you were dreadfuIly fright
ened. we're you not2"
oh, yes. dreadfully frightened, But
il is all over now. See. mistress. I can
walk again"