The Mena weekly star., 1909-07-01

ghastly wise and collapsed Ike honse of cards. Simultaneously torchike flame streamed into the air. A woeful din of human anguish pierced the inanimate tumult of wreck and crash
 Fully for Casa Fuertel" cried the soldier, who now was making a fren- zied speed to the other side of the house. He cast a single glance toward the door which he knew belonged to Janets room; and he thought of the boy, but he ran first to his old aunt. He didn't need to go the whole way She came out of her door Janet and Archie at her side. They were nll perfectly calm, although in very light and semi-oriental attire. Archie plain ly had just plunged out of bed. His eyes were dancing with excitement
 This house Is a dandy. aiut it, Uncle Bertle?" he exclaimed. MT. Arnold told me all about the way his father built 1t; he said it wouldn't bat its eye for an earthquake. It didn't either; but that house opposite is inst kindling-woodl Say here's Cousin Cary; and-look, Uncle Bertie. Ar. Keatcham has got up and he's all dressed. Hullo, Colvin! Don't be scared. It's only a quake" Colrfn grinned a sickly grin and slamm4red. "Yes, sir, quite so, sir" Not aa earth quake could shake Colyln oR of his manners.
 Are you able to do this, MT. Keatcham?" young Arnold called breathlessly, plunging into the patio to which they had all instinctiyely eravi- tated. Keatcham laughed q short. grunting laugh. Don't you under stand, this is no little everyday quake? Look outl Is tbore way you can look and not see spout of flame? I've got to go downtown. Are the machines all right?'
 We must find Randall; the poor soul has a mortal terror of quakes-" Aunt Rebeccas wellbred accents were unrufTled; she appeared a thought stimulated. nothing more; danger al- ways acted as tonic on Winter nerves Archie, you go put your clothes on this minute, honey. And l suppose We ought to look up Millcent"
 The colonel. however, had barely set foot on the threshold when Mrs Mel vile appeared, propelling Randall. whom she had rescued from the maids closet where she was covering behind her neat frocks, momentarily expect ing death. but decently ready for it in gown and shoes. Mrs. Melville her self in the disorder of the shock, had merely added her best Paris hat and a skeleton hustle to her dainty night gear. She had not forgotten her kimono; she had only forgotten to don fl; and it draggled over her free arm. But her dignity was intact. The in- stant she beheld her kindred she de manded of them as if they were re- sponsible, whether this was a sample of the Californian climate Keatcham bushed and fled with Colyin and the giggling Arnold and Archie, who was too polite to giggle.
 Mrs Winter put on her eyeglasses. "Millicent," said she in the gentlest of i tones, your hustle is on crooked
 One wild glance at the merciless mirror in the carved pierglass did Mrs. Melville give, and, then, without word, she fled.
 "Randall,7 said Mrs. Winter, you look very nice; come and help me dress. There will most likely be some more shocks"
 Randall, trembling in every limb. but instinctively assuming com posed mien. followed the undaunted | old lady.
 The colonel was going in another direction, having heard a telephone bell He was most anxious to put him i self into communication with Birdsall, because not even during the earth quake had he forgotten an uglier peril and it had occurred to him that Atkins was of a temper not to be frightened 1 by the convtAsions of order; but rather to make his account of it. Nor did the message through the telephone tend to reassure him.
 The man at the other end of the | telephone was Birdsall No telling how long the telephone service would keep up. he reported; wires were down around the corner; worse, the water mains were spouting and from where he stood since he felt the first shock he had counted 3G fires. Ten of them were down il. the quarter where some of his men had homes and a field glass had shown that the houses were all tossed about there; he couldn't keep his men steady; it seemed inhu- man to ask them to stay when their wives and children might be dying; of course it was his damn luck to have all married men from down there
 Well. l reckon you will have to let them go: but watch out" begged the colonel, flor you know the men We are after will take advantage of general disorder to get in their dirty work Now is the most dangerous time
 Birdsaill knew 1t; he had had inti- nations that some men were trying to sneak up the hill; they had been turned back. They pretended to be some wandering railway workers; but Birdsall distrusted them He-no use to ring! Vain to tap the carriage of the receiveri The telephone was dead, iarred out of existence somewhere be- you'd their ken.
 By this time the cold sinlisht of the woefullest day that San Francisco had ever seen was spread over the anrth The city was spotted with