The Elbert County tribune., 1907-02-21

Raised His Pistol In Deadly Aim.
up the vaulted roof with terrible dis
tinctncss, and filling the air with
weird shadows, which fitted from one
space to another, like vast legion
of aerial spectres who seemed to re-
vel in the gloom that surrounded
them, while rumble as of thunder
caused the earth to vibrate and tIem-
BILE under our feet.
The hundred spectators too alright
ed to move, petrifed with the horror
of the scene and motionless, gazed
upon the flames. as they wound their
fiery folds among the rocks or licked
the arched roof with their seething
tongues. The dazzling splendor of
the scene increased with every mo-
ment. The heated rocks began to
crumble and fall apart, and still the
flames spread. A terrific gust of wind
bust into the chamber and famed the
fires. until they roared like a storm
tossed sea, which hurling itself madly
against the walls. and bowling through
the lofty arches. dashed its way on
ward. In its wake huge boulders lay
shattered and scattered through the
defles and gorges of the labyrinthian
passages.
Valdermere, who had stood silently
watching the tragedy, now rushed
among the throng. and, pushing them
onward, cried at the top of his voice,
while his long beautiful hair fioated
in the tempest and his eyes blazed
with the light of despair.
ely for your lives, my brothers.
Fly for the catacombs, for no fire can
reach us therefor your lives fy,''
A desperate cry arose from a hun
dred throats, and mad plunge set the
stampede in motion.
Onward we dashed in a body, while
flash after flash of vivid fire shot
athwart our pathway, as we ran for
ward, our eyes almost bursting from
their sockets; our tongues lolling
from swollen and parched lips, while
flakes of foam fell from our heated
nostrils.
At last we turned at an angle,
which led us in the direction of the
chamber where the brilliant colors of
the stalactites and stalagmites were
illumined by the flames, sending forth
their capricious shadows which
danced over the dazzling walls like
million lambient spectres.
On through this glorious scene we
sped, ignoring the grand spectacle
which all the art of science could
never initiate.
The air was hot with the breath of
the encroaching fires, which drove us
onward. until at last we neared the
river over whose depths hung the
rope ladder. but, alas. many had fall
len dead and dying. and as / looked
about me. | was appalled, to find not
more than third of our number.
Among these | searched for Mr.. De
Tavenier, my heart standing still, bui
| saw him dash to the brink of the
river, and kneeling he dipped the cold
water to his lips and face. his eyes
red and swollen. drew near to him
spoke to him, but he heard me not.
He drank the water with eager
thirst. and, as he attempted to raise,
he fell back into my arms, an uncon.
scious burden. / laid his head upon
my coat, and bathed his face and
parched hands lips until he revived.
He looked into my face, and even
then he smiled and pressed my hand
My heart was flooded with a great
pity, and l was unmindful of the
roaring fires and the rocking pillars;
unmindful of the death-marked faces
around me. My mind was far away
among the cypress trees, which. alas,
was to see no more, and my heart
had stolen back to that old house. and
| could see the face of Marie. the
angel of my life-the angel u thu
end. for her fair sweet image love,
left me even In that dread mome.s
tTc - Continued.)