The daily morning oasis., 1918-01-13

fearfully up at the huge, impending
cliff. AS he looked, a group of persons
ran out from the Caterina and stood
on the terrace gesticulating. They, too,
had taken the alarm. Suddenly two
ladies detached themselves from the
group and darted back into the house
The landlord called after them in vain;
then, after a moment Of irresolution,
he and the servants who were with him
rushed to the high road, away from the
threatening shadow of the cliff
Far above him Believer could see that
many persons had come out of the Hotel
Cappuccini and were assembled on the
terrace looking toward the overhanging
part of the mountain. He recognized
the flowing whiskers of old Signor
Vozzi, the landlord, and could see the
white aprons and the bright dresses of
the servants mingling with the darker
costumes of the hotel guests. Then, on
the terrace to the left of the house
beyond the cloisters, Just under the
grotto, he detected CLEAN of poppy
color, and, staring hard, he recognized
Lesley Fleetwood, walking slowly up
and down, all unconscious of the danger
that threatened her.
With shout, Believer started for the
flight of steps which turned two or three
times until they reached the terrace of
the grotto. A frightened group of
persons on the high road cried to him
to come back; people on the terrace
above saw him and waved their arms
excitedly. He hardly saw or heard,
but, springing up the steps with great
strides, in a few moments was standing
painting by Lesley's side. They were
alone on the white platform alone at
this end of the hotel
The girl looked up suddenly, and her
face flushed. She turned from him
impatiently.
Miss Fleetwood there is great
danger; the mountain will fall" he
cried eXcitedly. "You must come at
once"
"Must" repeated the girl, with
surprised lifting of the eyebrows.
This is no time for ceremony" he
answered; " the peril is near. Your
mother and everyone has run out from
the hotel!"
"Are you afraid?" She looked at
him half mockingly, half disdainfully
g am afraid for you. l entreat you
to come at once!"
"Thank you. prefer to stay where
l am, and to be alone"
With this there came from above a
shower of loose stone and dust that
poured from the edge OF the cliff over
their heads.
"You seel" he cried, "My witness"
Nonsensep said Lesley, sharply
ga servant told me those stalactites
and things always fall after rain. Pray
lose no time in saving yourself from
the terrible danger"
Down came another stone. There
was a strange sound, mysterious, in
describable, that came from the noun
tain. 1t was as if a giant imprisoned
inside were stirring cautiously.
The man and the girl looked into each
others eyes, defiance in hers, pleading
in his. But suddenly hot wave
seemed to rush through Believers veins.
With wild shout from below ringing in
his ears, he caught the girl in his arms
as if she had been a child The noun
tain groaned. Believer sprang from
under the arch of the grotto and, as if
that fettered giant grudged the loss of
his prey, there came a great roaring,
which filled the air and confused the
young mans senses. With a tremendous
crash, huge N ass of rock plunged
down from the fo OF of the grotto upon
tho uery SDot whara an inst q nt aUo tho