The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1909-02-01

Although they spent good 20 min
uies after that Joking over super
stitlona, and be had repeated to her
some OF Tracys and Arnolds most IN
genious "spooky stunts" 10 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
a pretense. Suddenly an unruly lremor
shook his own Arm spirits, Looking
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 10 the
shadows Of the pepper trees. He tried
vainly TO shake of this distempered
mood. Although he might succeed fnr
q moment In lovers absorption, 1t
would come again. insidlously. seep.
Ing through his happiness Hike q fuma
After futile attempts 70 sleep he rose.
and still at the bidding Of his uncanny
and tormentllg impulse he took his
bath and dressed himself for the day.
by .his time the ashen tints OF dawn
were In his chamber and on The
fields outside lie stood locking al the
unloyellest aspect of nature. a land.
scape on the sunless side, before the
east Ia red. The cir felt lifeless;
there were no depths in the pale sky;
the azure was a fiat lint, opaque and
thin. like q poor watercolor While
he gazed the motionless trees. live.
oaks aud olives and palms, we're
shaken by a mighty wind; the pepper
plumea tossed and streamed and
tangled like banner. the great elms
along the avenue bent over In break.
ing strain. Yet the sllken cord OF the
Holland window shade did not SO
much as swing. There was not a
wings breath Of cir, But gradually
the earth and cloud vibrated with a
strange grinding noise which has been
described hundred times. but never
adequately; sickening crepitatlon. as
Of the rocks in the hills scraplng and
spllntering Before the mind could
question the sound, there succeeded
an anarchy Of uproar In It was
inmbled the crash Of trees and build.
ings. the spllniering craokle Of glass,
the boom Of huge chlmneys falling and
Of vast explosions. the hlss OF steam,
the hurllng Of tlmbers and bricks and
masses Of stone or sand. aud tho
awful rush OF frantic water escaping
from engine OF main.
Quake. sures you're born!" said
the colonel softly
Now that his Invisible peril was
real, was upon him. his spirits leaped
up to meet Il. He looked eoolly about
him, noting 10 his single glance that
the house was standing absolutely
staneh, neither reellng nor shiveringi
and that the chimney Just opposite
his eye had not misplaced a brick. In
the same instant he caught up his 70
volYer and ran at his best pace from
the room. The hall was firm under
hts hurrying feet As he passed the
great arehed opening on the western
balcony he saw an awful sight.
Dlaeonaly across fros Casa Fuefte
was the great house Of the California
maenate who did not worry his con
tractor with demands Tor colonial hon.
esly OF workmanship as well as
colonial architecture The stately
mansion with ifs beautiful piazzas
and delicate harmony Of pillar and
pedlment. shone white and placid on
the eye for second. then rocked in
ghaslly wise aud collapsed Ike
house of cards simultaneously
iorahlike iiame streamed into the air
A woeful din Of human anguish
pierced the lnanimaie tumult Of wreck
and crash,
Bully for Casa Fuertela cried the
soldier. who now was making iren.
zied speed to the other side Of The
house. He cast single glance toward
the door which he knew belonged to
Janets room: and he thought Of the
boy. but be ran first 70 his old aunt
He didn't need 10 so the whole way
She came cat Of her door. Janet and
Archie at her side They were an
perfectly calm. although IN very light
and semlorlental attire Archie plain
" had just plunged out Of bed Ills
eyes were dancing With excitement
eThis house Is dandy aln't Il
Uncle Bertleg7 he exclaimed Mt
Arnold told me Al about she way his
father built IT. he said 4 wouldn't bat
It's ave fer an earthquake II didn't
either but that house opposite Il lust
klndllngwoodl Say here's Cousin
Cary and. look. Uncle fleflie Nc
Keatcham has got Up and ke's all
dressed. HULA coiYlnl.,s Don't bf
scared IT'S only a quake GOWN
erlnneu 4 siukly grin and slamisiefhd
sYes, sir quite 50. cir" Not m oafIh
quake could shake colyIn out % hia
manners.
Are YOU afle 70 DO thls. M
Kealchamg" young Arnold called
hfeatbissslf. p.Nualng into the patio 10
which they had vi lnskneslyelr FFasl
talnd. Kenteha4 laughed sllafl
grunllne laugh Don't you under
stand. lhla IS ~ Illiie every dav
uuakef Lock onl Il there 4 way
Won can look ard nol W. ! spout 81