Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1903-09-04
CHATTER Kill


each corner Of the platform and extend
ed upward till they were enveloped in
the darkness
They hold Us up" he said Where
do they 20 to-"
ITO the big trucks which run on the
tracks near the roof of the cavern. The
endless cables are up there, too, but we
cannot ste them with this glare about
Us ~
I'VE can see nothing of Alpha from
here" remarked Johnston disappoint-
edly. I'VE can STE nothing beyond oCr
circle Of light
Il should like to look down from this
height at night, said the Alphian
1t would be IL great view.
What is this" Johnston went to
one side Of the platform and laid his
hand ON the spokes of a polished metal
wheel shaped like the pilot wheel of a
steamboat. Branasko FASTENED to him.
Don't touch it, he warned 1T
looks as if it were to turn the electric
connection off and on. If the sun should
60 out, the consequences would be aw-
full. The people Of Alpha would 60 mad
with fear
The American withdrew his hand,
and he and Branasko walked back to
the center of the platform. Johnston ut
tered an exclamation Of surprise. 1.-The
light is changingv'
And it was, for it was gradually fad
ing into purple that was delightfully."-
soothing to the eye after the painful
brightness of a moment before.
Il understand" said the Alphian.
I'VE are running very slowly and are
only now about to approach the great
wall, for purple is the color of the first
morning hour"
"But how is the light changed?"
asked Johnston curiously.
by some shifting of glasses through
which the rays shine, presume, re-
turned the Alphian, but the mechan-
ism seems to be concealed in the walls
Of the globe"
Not word was spoken for an hour.
They had lain down Oh the platform
near the iron railing which encom-
passed it, and Branasko was DOING in
termittently. Again the light began to
change gradually. This time it was
tray. Johnston put out his hand to
touch Branasko, but the Alphian was
awake. He sat up and nodded, smiling.
wait till the next hour" he said. 1T
will be rose color. That is the most
beautiful.
Slowly the hours dragged by till the
yellow light showed that it was the
sixth hour. Branasko had been explor-
ing the vast interior belov and came
back to Johnston, who was asleep ON
the floor of the platform.
II have just thought Of something"
said Branasko. "This is the day ap-
pointed by the king to entertain his sub
jects with a grand display of the ele-
ments.''
lido not understand, said Johnston.
THE king" explained the Alphian,
"darkens the sun with clouds SO that
all Alpha is blacker than night, and
then he produces great storms in the
sky and lightning and musical thunder.
We may, perhaps, hear the music, but
we cannot witness the storm and cleo
trio display on account of the light
about us. 1t usually begins at this hour,
30 be silent and listen"
After few minutes there was rum
BILE from below like the roar of volcano
and an answering echo from the black
dome overhead. This died away and
was succeeded by crash of musical
khnvlov hot <tr.11oI T1l> D., -,
to its very core. Branasko's face was
aglow with enthusiasm.
Grand, glorious!' he calculated.
"But if only you could see the light
ming and the dawn in the east you would
remember it all your life. The sunlight
is cut off from Alpha by the clouds, and
there is no light except the wonderful
effects in the sky"
Johnston had gone back to the wheel
and was examining it curiously.
81 have a mind to turn off the cur
rent for moment anyway" he said
doggedly. eff the sun is hidden, they
would not discover it." Branasko came
to him, a weird look Of interest in his
eyes.
''That is true" he said. besides,
what matters it? We may not live to
see another day."
Johnston acted on a sudden impulse.
He intended only to brighten Branasko
by moving the wheel slightly. and he
had turned it barely an eighth Of an
inch, when, as if controlled by some
powerful spring, it whirled round at q
great rate, making loud, rattling noise.
To their dismay, the light went out.
"My God, what have donep" gasped
the American in alarm.
"Settled our fate. I have no doubt,
muttered the Alphian from the dark
ness.
Johnston had recoiled from the whirl-
ing wheel and now cautiously CROPPED
back to it and attempted to turn it
It would not move.
1t has caught some way, =" he groaned
under his breath.
And we have no light to find the
cause of the trouble" added the Alphi-
an, who had knelt down and was feel
ing about the wheel. Presently he rose.
II give it up" he sighed. II cannot
understand it. The machinery is some
where inside"
ut has grown COLDER" shuddered
Johnston.
I'VE were warmed by the light, Of
course" remarked Branasko, land now
we feel the dampness more. We are 60
ing at frightful speed"
Just then there was a jar, and the
sun swung SO violently from side to side
that the two men were Frustrated on
the floor. The speed seemed to slacken.
II wonder if we are going to stop, "
groaned the American, and he sat up
and held to Branasko. perhaps they
will draw US back to rectify the mis-
take, and them
1T cannot be done," interrupted the
Alphian. 1.-The machinery runs only
one way. We shall simply have to finish
our journey in darkness.
''They may catch US on the other side
before the sun starts back through the
tunnel" suggested the American.
Not unlikely" returned Branasko.
"There; we are going ahead again. One
thing in our favor is that we can more
easily escape capture in darkness than ii
the sun were shining