The Chanute times. [volume] (Chanute, Kan.) 1897-1913, 1909-07-02
ALOeSzRAzZOWe5 ee5I
81. EZZzW

| 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 a break
ing strain, Yet the silken cord of the
Holland window shade did not so
much as swing. There was not a
wings breath of air But gradually
the earth and cloud vibrated with a
strange grinding noise which has been
described hundred times, but never
adequately; sckening 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 it 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 cOoly about
him. noting in his single glance that
the house was standing absolutely
stanch, neither reeling 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
house of cards. simultaneously
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 the
soldier, who now was making fren-
zied speed to the other side of the
er1a RI
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 We're all
perfectly calm, although in very light
and semi-oriental attire. Archie plain
" had Just plunged out of bed. His
eyes were dancing with excitement.
This house is 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
it's 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,
grunting laugh. Don't you under
stand, this is no little everyday
Quake? Look OUT Is there a way
you can look and not see a spout OF
flame? I've got to go downtown. Are
the machines all right?"
1--WE must find Randall; the poor
soul has a mortal terror of 'quakes-"
Aunt Rebecca's wellbred accents were
unruffled; 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 Millicent."
CTO BE CONTINUEDJ