The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1909-12-19

'Did YOU hear that, sipnore! ," he
asked in an awcd whisper. 1t is the
mountain working. That is the third
time since breakfast ! have heard 1T
crack aud strain At 6 this morning
the Hotel Santa Caterina cracked. !"
Good heavens! Do you mean that
the cliff will fall?'
81 think there is great danger, sig
more We have had a fortnight s rain,
and the building Of the Hotel Santa
Cateriua there has weakened the base
of the mountain. I shall 90 and call
the syndic.
The man started at a run along the
highway to the town. Believer gazed
fearfully up at the huge, impending
cliff. As he looked, 4 group Of persons
ran out from the Caterina and stood on
the terrace gesticulatiug. They, too,
had taken the alarm. Suddenly two Ia
dies detached themselves from the group
and started back into the house. The
landlord called after them in vain !;
| then, after a moment Of irresolution, he
| and the servants who were with HIM
rushed TO the highroad, away from the
threatening shadow Of the cliff,
Far above him Believer could see
that many persons had come out of the
Hotel Cappuccini and were assembled
on the terrace looking toward the over.
hanging part of the mountain. He rec,
| ogniZed the flowing whiskers OF old
| Signor NozZi, the landlord, and could
sec the white aprons and the bright
dresses of the servants mingling with
the darker costumes of the hotel guests.
Then, on the terrace TO the left of the
house. beyond the cloisters, Just under
the grotto, he detected Il CLEAN of poppy
color, and. staring hard, he recognized
| Lesley Fleetwood, walking slowly up
and down, all unconscious of the danger
that threatened her,
| With n shout, Believer started for the
grotto. 1t was approached by n long
| flight of steps which turned two or
three times until they reached the ter
race Of the grotto. A frightened group
Of persons on the high road cried TO
him to come back; people on the ter
race above saw him and waved their
arms excitedly. He hardly saw or
heard, but, springing up the steps with
great strides. in a few moments was
standing painting by Lesley's side, They
We're alone on the white platform-alone
at this end of the hotel
The girl looked mp suddenly, and her
face flushed. She turned from him i'm
patiently,
'EMiss Fleetwood, there is great dan.
ger; the mountain will fall. y he cried
cxcitedly. "You must come at once. .
"Must!'i repeated the girl, with n
| SuIllIlS''l III lluG VI lut tNtplpha,
"This is no time for CEREMONY he
answered., "thc peril is near. Your
mother and every one has run out from
tho hotel, -
81 Arc you afraid?" She looked nj
him half mockingly, half disdainfully.
~ am afraid for you. ] entrcat you
| to come mt once! -
"'Thanll you, [ prefer to stay where
! am, and to be alone
With this there came from above n
slower Of loose stone and dust that
poured from the edge of the cliff over
their heads.
"You seel" he cried "'My wit
ness
'Nonsensel" said Lesley. sharply.
I"A servant told me those stalactites
and things always fall after rain,
Pray lose no time in saving yourself
from the terrible danger!''
Down came another stone, There
was a strange sound. mysterious. in
describable, that came from the noun
tain. Ut was as If giant imprisoned
inside were stirring cautiously,
The man and the girl looked into
each others eyes. defiance in hers.
pleading in his. But suddenly a hot
wave seemed to rush through Belle
vor's veins. With a wild shout from
below ringing in his cars, he caught
the girl in his arms rs if she had
been child. The mountain groancd