Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-10-02
CHAPTER XVII (ContinueD.

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CHAPTER NNII (Continued).
The Englishman slowly shook his
head. Il don't want to depress you
more than you are, but think at such
time we ought to realize the worst
1t is true the clouds are not 80 heavy
and the earthquakes are less frequent
but unfortunately it is owing to the
fact that the volume of water has been
turned away from the pit into the tuu-
mel. Be prepared for the worst. If your
father cannot reach the machinery in
the east soon enough, our light will 60
out, and, worse than that, if Prince
Marentel should fail in his next venture
with explosives all hope will be gone"
Il have never desired to live so much
as now" she answered, inclining with
an air Of tenderness toward him. II
never knew what it was to fear death
tilNtill you came to us"
He made no reply. There was a lump
i'll his throat, and he could not trust his
voice to speech. Branasko and Johnston
left them together to go into the cleo
trio auditorium. They returned in great
haste.
THE prince is ready for the explo-
slon," painted Johnston. "Thorndyke,
old man, this Is simply awful. It is not
like standing up to be shot at or being
jerked through the clouds In balloon.
It seems to me that out there is the end
less space of inf1nity, and that all the
material world Is coming to an end.
My God, look at that hellish fire, the
awful smoke and that black skyl Oh,
the blasphemy Of such a paltry imita-
ton Of the handiwork Of the Creator!
We are damnedi say damned, and by
just and angry God"
Don't be fool" said Thorndyke,
and he threw a warning glance at Ber-
uardino. who, with staring, distended
eyes, was listening to Johnston.
mo, he Is right" she said in low
tone. Il have never seen your world.
but I know my people must be woefully
wrong. In your land they say men teach
things about infinity aud an eternal life
for the soul, and that one may prepare
for that life by living pure and in striv-
ing b attain high spiritual state. Oh.
why have you not told me about thatl
1t is the one important thing I have
long wanted to know II my soul will
be safe at death, but I can learn moth
ing Of my people. They have always
tried to rival God, and in their mad
pursuit. of perfection in science they
havebeen reduced to-this. That black
cloj is the froWn of God. Those mad
daz11s may burst forth at any moment
and engulf u.s."
She uttered low groan and hung her
head as il in prayer. Johnston and
Thorndyke were awed to silence Never
had the Englishman loved her as at that
moment She was no longer simply a
beautiful human creature, but divin-
ity speaking truths from heaven itself.
He felt too unworthy to stand in her
presence. and yet his heart was aching
to comfort her.
She raised her pallid face heavenward
and extended her fair, fragile hands to-
ward the lowering sky and began to
pray. my Creator" she said reverent-
~. childishly, II have never come to
thee, but they say that people far away
from this dark land, under thy own sun,
moon and stars, do ask aid Of thee, and
/. too, want thy help Forgive me and
my people. They have been sinful and
vain and thoughtless, but let them not
perish in utter gloom. Forgive them.
oh, thou Maker Of all that exists. Thou
Creator Of pain that we may love Joy.
Creator Of evil that we may know good.
turn not from ua We are but thought
less children, and thy children. Give
Us time to realize the awful error Of
our hollow pretensions. Give them all
now, at once. If they are to die. that
spirit which is awakened in me by the
awful majesty Of thy anger. Hear me,
o Godr And with sob she sank on
her knees, clasped her hands and raised
them upward Thorndyke tried to lift
her up, but she shook her head and con-
tinued her prayer in silence. A marked
change had come over Branasko He
looked at Johnston and Thorndyke in a
strange, helpless way, and then in a
corner Of the balcony the begrimed and
tatteSed man fell ON his knees He knew
not the meaning Of prayer, but there
was something in the reverent attitude
Of the princess that drew his untutored
being toward his Maker. He covered
his face with his hands, and his shaggy
head sank TO his knees
Johnston hastened back into the au-
ditorium. Returning in q moment. he
found the Englishman tenderly lifting
Bernardino from her knees and Branas-
10 still crouching in a corner.
''What is the news?'' asked Thorn.
dyke.
Everything is ready for the explo-
sion. The prince seems only waiting be-
cause he breads failure. The people in
there are 90 frightened that they cannot
move from their seats"
just then Branasko raised haggard
face and looked appealingly at the prin-
Tess She caught his eye.
Fear nothing. good man." she said.
1.-THE God Of tho Christians will not
harm us We are safe in his hands. /
felt il here in my heart when prayed
to him. Oh, why have my father and the
other kings Of Alpha not taught us that
grand, simple TRUTH But before I die l
want to leave this dark pit Of sin and
look out once into endless, world filed
space"
A Joyous flush came into the face Of
the Elphian. His fear had vanished.
She had promised him safety. He bow
ed wolshipfully, but he spoke not, for
Bernssdino was eagerly pointing to the
sun.
"Lookl' she cried gleefully, with
the merry tremolo Of happy, surprised
child. 1.-THE sun is not moving. Fathes
has been successful It is q good omen
God will save Us.
It was true The sun was standing
still. A deep silence was ON the city.
The crowds in the streets neither moved
nor spoke Without murmur or com.
plant they stood facing the frowning
west. Suddenly the silence was inter-
rupted by low volcanic rumble. The
earth heaved and rolled, and far away
in the suburbs Of the city the spire Of q
public building fell with a loud crash.
A groan swept from mouth to mouth
and then died away.
1.-THE cloud is increasing rapidly, :"
said Thorndyke. II can really see little