Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-02-16


genious "spooky stunts" to make the
neighborhood keep It's distance from
Casa Fuerte, and they had laughed
freely, she as heartily as he. never
theless he OWNED that her smile was
pretense. Suddenly, an unruly tremor
out on the stepped and lanterned
arches Of the wing, he was conscious
of the same tragic endowment Of the
darkened pile, which had oppressed
him that night, weeks before. when he
had stood outside on the crest Of the
hill; and the would-be murderers
might have been skulking in the
shadows Of the pepper trees. He tried
vainly to shake off this distempered
mood Although he might succeed for
a moment In lovers absorption, 1t
would come again, insidiously, seep-
ing through his happiness like fume.
After futile attempts to sleep he rose,
and still at the bidding Of his uncanny
and tormenting impulse he took his
bath and dressed himself for the day
BY this time the ashen tints Of dawn
were in his chamber and on the
fields outside. He stood looking at the
unloveliest aspect OF nature. a land
scape on the sunless side, before the
east is red. The air felt lifeless;
there were no depths in the pale sky;
the azure was fat tint. opaque and
thin, like poor water-color. While
he gazed the motionless trees, live
oaks and olives and palms, were
shaken by mighty wind; the pepper
plumes tossed and streamed and
tangled like banner: the great elms
along the avenue bent over in break
ing strain. Yet the silken cord of the
Holland window shade did not so
much as swing. There was not
wings breath Of air. But gradually
the earth and cloud vibrated with q
strange grinding noise which has been
described hundred times, but never
adequately; sickening crepitation. as
Of the rocks in the hills scraping and
splintering. Before the mind could
question the sound, there succeeded
an anarchy of uproar. In 1t was
jumbled the crash of trees and build
ings, the splintering crackle of glass.
the boom of huge chimneys falling and
of vast explosions, the hiss of steam,
the hurting Of timbers and bricks and
masses of stone or sand, and the
awful rush of frantic water escaping
from engine or main.
"Quake, sure's you're born!" said
the colonel softly,
Now that his invisible peril was
real, was upon him, his spirits leaped
UP to meet it. He looked coolly about
him, noting in his single glance that
the house was standing absolutely
stanch, neither Keeling nor shivering;
and that the chimney just opposite
his eye had not misplaced brick. In
the same instant he caught up his re-
volver and ran at his best pace from
the room. The hall was firm under
his hurrying feet. AS he passed the
great arched opening on the western
balcony he saw an awful sight
Diagonally across from Casa Fuerte
was the great house Of the California
magnate who did not worry his con-
tractor with demands for colonial hon
esty of workmanship as well as
colonial architecture. The stately
mansion with its beautiful piazzas
and delicate harmony of pillar and
pediment, shone white and placid on
the eye for a second; then rocked in
CHASTITY wise and collapsed like q
house of cards. simultaneously q
torchlike fame streamed into the air.
A woeful din of human anguish
pierced the inanimate tumult of wreck
and crash.
"Bully for Casa Fuerte!" cried tho
soldier, who now was making fren-
zied speed to the other side OF the
house. He cast single glance toward
the door which he knew belonged to
Janet's 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 all
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, amt it,
Uncle Bertie?" he exclaimed. "Mr.
Arnold told me all about the way his
father built it; he said it wouldn't bat
its eye for an earthquake. 1t didn't
either; but that house opposite is just
kindling-wood! Say! here's Cousin
Cary; and-look, Uncle Berthe. Mr..
Keatcham has got UP and he's all
dressed. Hullo, Colvin! Don't be
scared. It's only 'quake!" Colvin
grinned a sickly grin and stammered,
eyes, sir, quite so, sir" Not an earth
quake could shake Colvin out of his
manners.
"Are you able to do this, Mr..
Keatcham?" young Arnold called
breathlessly, plunging into the patio to
which they had all instinctively CRAWL
tated. Keatcham laughed a short,
granting laugh. Don't you under
stand this is no little everyday
Quake? Look out! Is there way
YOU can look and not see spout OF
anne? I've got to go downtown. Are
he machines all right?"
1--WE must find Randall; the poor
soul has a mortal terror Of 'quakes-
Aunt Rebeccas wellbred accents were
unrufaed, she appeared a thought
stimulated, nothing more; danger al
ways acted as tonic on Winter nerves
Archie, you go put your clothes on