The Ordway new era., 1916-02-11
CHAPTER xIl-con.inued.


CHAPTER xIl-continued.
Ou< - the open. where the sun
paiel the electric lights of the car
into sickly yellow. up into the air,
peertnG into third-story tenements and
down narrow alleys. aflutter with
countless dapping pieces of laundry
work. then suddenly into the darkness
Of the tunnel again. then out. on the
surface sf country fields, and dreary
winter landscape, to the terminal 1t
vas more cozy in the tunnel. and they
returned there for lunch.
Suddenly there came a dull, muffled
repoet. like the distant firing of a
cannon: then an interval of silence.
an infnitesimal one. in which the car
ran smoothly on, and. half rising. they
looked At each other in startled ques-
tfoning. Then.- all at once. came a
stupendous roar. as If the world had
split asunder. iolting and perking. a
head1ons stoppage. Gathering. and
slappins and crashing and grinding,
deafemng in its volume. and with it
all. larkness: blackness SO intense
that 4 seemed almost palpable to the
touch!
There was 4 single shrek. and a
nervous laugh verging on hysteria
The shriek was from Arly. and the
laugh from Lucille. There was a cry
from the forward end of the car. as Of
someone in pain. A mans yell Of
fright: Gregory the general man
ager. A strong hand clutched Calls
IN the darkness. firm. reassuring. The
rector.
Deat novel" It was the voice of
Allison. crisp, harsh, commanding.
Anybody hurt?" Tim German, the
voice e age. but otherwise steady
rs me-" called Tom, the motor.
maa- Head cut little. arm bruised
Nothing bad
Bah-' Allison again.
Yea" Clear voiced. with the cour.
age which has no sex.
Mrs Teasdale? Mrs. Fosland ?
Tsds Doctor Boyd?" and SO through
the hst- Everybody safe
II 10 an accidental blast" said the
voice ef Allison He had figured that
. concise statement of just what had
happeaed might expedite organiza-
don. I'VE are below the Farmouut
ridge, over a hundred feet deep, and
the tube has caved in on US. There
must be no waste of exertion. Don't
move until find what electrical dan.
gers there are"
A match fared up. and showed the
pale face Of the engineer bending
over
No matches" ordered Allison. I'VE
may need the oxygen
He and the engineer made their
way back into the parlor compau.
nent They took up the door of the
motor weil in the floor, and in a few
minutes they replaced it. From the
sounds they seemed remarkably
clumsy.
That much is lucky" commented
Allison The next thing is to dig
In front or behind?" wondered the
engineer.
In 'front.'" decided Allison. THE ex.
plosion came from that direction. and
has probably shaken down more OF
the soil there than behind, but IT'S
solid clay In the rear. and further ont "
Gail felt the rector's hand suddenly
leave her own. 1t had been wonder
fully comforting there in the dark:
20 firm and warm and steady. He had
NOT talked much to her. Just a few
words, in that low, melo-
dIous voice. which thrilled her as did
occasionally the touch of AlIisop's
hand. n did the eyes OF Dick RodIey.
Bat she had received more strength
fnpm he voice OF Allison He was
~. Allison. = power. q force. q spirit
q comnsnA She began. for the nrst
time, 10 compsehend his magnitude
What have We to dig WITH" The
yeise a Rev Sruith Boyd. and there
- scte of eagsrness in IT.
M H IT, Aeaches up In front here
l3o3 HxcArthy. and there xas : rip
- ssna = - sors the seat from
~ xhem.
b # 4. 4 = =. n ~as - voacs q
W ~ ri fxpst Il