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TffS WAtCfiOS* HERALD JULY 2^1897
fOoTTriftt* UW. toy tfc* Msrrlam Company.)
their footsteps odlHe itdne/'
"What people?"
“Don't 700 see then? You* kfti SM
dazzled by the light. I ought to have
warned you against looking up into the
dome. The people are down there. Do
the views in the pavement not look a
little blurred?*'
“Yea.**
"Well, if you will look more closely
you will see that it is a multitude of
•’.‘■'ometbing like our sixth hour, I
nmjkf. This is the fourth hour of
Then come blue, yellow,
M at noon red. The afternoon
up in the same way. The
first &Jbr is green; then follow yellow,
bine, lavender, rose, gray and purple.
Yes, 1 should think you would find
yours somewhat tiresome. ”
?*W# can rely on it,” said Johnston,
speaking for the first time and in a
wuvcriug voice. "It is always there."
"Doing business at the old stand,”
laughed Thorndyks, attempting an j
Americanism.
"Well, that is a comfort, anyway,”
said the captain seriously. "In my time
they have had nosolar trcuble, but some
of the old ]>eople tell horrible tales of a
period wlicu onr sun for several days
did not shine at all.”
"Can it be possible?” said the Eng*
lisbmuu dubiously.
"Oh, yes, and the early settlers had
agmu deal of trouble in different ways,
bnt I urn not ut liberty to give you in
formation on that head. It is the king’s
special pleasure to have newcomers
form their own impressions, and he is
particularly fond of noting their sur
prise, and, above all, their approval.
People usually come here of their own
accord through the influence of onr se
cret florce of agents all over the earth,
but you were brought because you hap
pened to drop on onr island and would
have found out too much for our good,
and that red light you kept burning
night and day might have riven us trou
ble. , There is no telling how long you
could have kept alive on those clams.”
"We meant, no offense,” apologized
Tborndyke; "we"—
”Oh, I know it I wns only explain
ing the situation,” interrupted the offi
cer.
“What is tlmt bright spot .to the
Tight?” usked Tborndyke, to change the
subject.
"The king's palace; that is the dome.
We shall soon bo there. Now, I must
not talk to you any longer. Somebody
way bti watching ns with glasses. I
have tiken a liking to you, and some
time, whtn Iget the opportunity, I shall
shadow. Well come dot all ngnt. *
The king has sent for you,'* said the
page the next instant. “Go to the
throne.**
They were the cynosure of the entire
room ss they went up the carpeted steps
of the dais and knelt before the king.
"Great heavens!” exclaimed the Eng
lishman, and he became deeply absorb
ed in the contemplation of the rarest
tight he hsdever seen. Ashe looked
closely be noticed a black spot growing
larger and nearer, and he glanced in
quiringly at the captain.
"It is an elevator. There are a great
many of them need in the palace, but
none has happened to rise as high as
this since we came. The one yon see is
coming for us.” The next moment the
strange vehicle was floating toward
them. The captain opened the dfcar and.
preceded the captives into the in^por.
"The royal audience chamber/' ho
id carelessly to the driver behind the
glass of the adjoining compartment, and
down they floated as lightly as a bub
ble—down past balcony after balcony,
laden with moving throngs, until they
alighted in a great conservatory.
Near them was a tall fountain, the
water of which was playing weird mu
sic on great bells of glass, some of
which bung in the fountain’s stream,
and others rose and fell, giving forth
stTange, submerged tones iu the foam
ing basin.
"It is a new invention recently placed
here by the king’s son, who is a.mosical
genius, ” explained Tranmos. "You will
be astonished at some of bis inventions. ”
He led them, as if to avoid the great
rrowds that they could now hear on all
sides, down a long vista of pulms, the
branches of which met over their heads,
to the wide door of the audience cham
ber. A party of men dressed in uniforms
of white silk with gold and silver orna
ments bowed before the captain and
made way for him.
The captives now found themselves in
the most splendid and spacious room
they had ever seen, at tho fur end of
which was a long dais and on it an
elabcthrone.
"1 shall bo obliged to leave yon when
the king comes,” said Tradmos to
Thorndyke, "but I shall hope to sec you
aguin. Don't forget my name and rank,
for 1 may send you a message some time
that may aid you. ”
"Thank you,” replied the English
man, and then as a throng of beautiful
young women came from a room on the
sido and gathered about the throne he
added inquisitively, "Who are they?”
"The wives and daughters of the king
and the wives of the princes, ” was the
cautious answer, "but don’t look at any
one of them closely.”
T don’t see how a fellow can help it;
CHAPTER VX
"Rise!” commanded the king in a
deep, well modulated voice, and when
they had arisen he inspected them crit
ically, his eyes lingering on Tborndyke.
"You look as if you take life easily.
You have a jovial countenance,” he said
cordially.
Thorndyke returned his smile and at
once felt at ease.
"There is no use in taking it any oth
er way,” he said. "It doesn’t amount
to much at best.”
"You are wrong,” returned the king,
playing with the jewels on his robe.
"That is because you have been reared
os you have—in your unsystematic
world. Here we make life a serious
study. It is our object to assist nature
in all things. The efforts of your people
amount to nothing because they are not
carried far enough. Your scientists are
dreaming idiots. They are continually
groping after the ideal and doing noth
ing with tho positive. It was for ns to
carry out everything to perfection.
Show me where we can make a single
improvement, and you shall become a
prince."
"Do yo© think-bur people fine look
ing asaruh*”' asked the king to change
the subject.
‘‘Decidedly.-1 never imagined such a
race existed/’’
Again tho fdngtWaa pleased. "That
is one of the objects of our system.
Generation after genemtlenwe improve
mentally and physically. We are the
only people who have ever attempted
to thoroughly study the science of liv
ing. Your medical men may be num
bered by the million; your remedies for
your ills change daily; what you say i»
good for the health today is tomorrow
believed to be poison; today you try to
make blood to give strength, and hall
a century ago you believed in taking it
from the weakest of your patients. With
all this fuss over health you will think
! nothing of allowing the son of a man
who died with a loathsome hereditary
disease to marry a woman whose fam
ily has never had a taint of blood. Hero
no such thing is thought of. To begin
with, no person who is not thoroughly
•ound can remain with ns. Every heart
beat is heard by our medical men, and
every vein is transparent. You see evi
dences of the benefit of our system iu
the men and women around you. All
our conveniences, the excellence of our
products, our great inventions, are the
result.’’
"I have been wondering about the
size of your country, ” ventured Tborn
dyke cautiously.
The king smiled. "That will be one
of the things for you to discover later,”
’But this the city of
i Chicago real estate agenl who want*
to mil a lot Why doesn't bo chop off
onr beads and bo dono with it?"
Tborndyke burst into a jovial laugh.
"You are coming round all right That
Is the first joke you have got off since
we came here. His royal nibs may need
a court jester and give you a job.”
"There goes that blamed sunlight
again,” exclaimed Johnston, grasping
his companion’s arm. "Don't yon see
it changing?”
"If my life depended on that, my
head would be off this instant,” was )
the quick witted reply of tbe English- j he*returnecl!
. Moron is the capital. Our provinces,
This so pleased the king that he i farming lands, smaller cities, towns and
laughed till he shook. “Well said,” ho I hamlets lie around us. Come with me
smiled. “So you like our country!” tmd I will show you something."
Absolutely charmed. My friend j Ho waved his hand and dismissed .
(Thornuyke was determined to bring his , , nmbe r of conrtiers who wore waiting
to be called, and rose from the throne
companion into favor, if possible) and I
have been in raptures ever since we rose
this morning. ” A
A, flush of pleasure crossed the face of
the king. "You have not seen half of
our wonders yet. I confess that I am
pleased with you, sir. The majority of
people who are brought here are so
and led the two captives into a large
apartment adjoining the tbroheroom.
Here they found six men in blue uni
forms looking into a large circular mir
ror on a table. They all bowed and
moved aside as the king approached.
"These men are the municipal po-
frightened that they grow morbid and lice,” explained the king, resting hi
a hand on the gold frame of the glass.
"The xcitci and daughter• of the Wnff."
give you Vxno useful advice, but I must
treat you very formally, at least till
you have hsd audience with the king.”
"Thank you," said the Englishman,
and Tradmos stood up in tbe car to
watch their progress through tbe circu
lar glam of a little cupola on top.
Tborndyke stuiled at Johnston, but tbe
American was in no pleasant mood. Tbe
Indifference with which Tradmos bad
treated him had nettled him.
Tbe machine was now slowly de
scending. A vast pile of white marble,
with many golden domes and spires,
rose between them and the earth below.
"To tbe balcony on the central dome, **
ordered Tradmos through the window
of the driver's compartment, and tbe
adventurers felt tho car sweep round in
a curve that threw them against each
other, and the next moment they had
landed on a wide iron balcony encircling
a great golden cone that towered hun
dreds of feet abovo them.
desirous to return to their own countries
as soon as they learn that such a thing
is ont of the question. ”
Thorndyke’s stont heart suffered a
sudden pang at the words, hut he did not
change countenance in the slightest, for
the king was closely watching the effect
of his announcement.
"Of course,” went on the ruler,
gratified by tho indifference of the Eng
lishman, "of course it could not be done.
No one ontside of a few of the royal
family and onr trusted agents bus ever
left us.”
"I can’t see how any one could be so
unappreciative os to want to go,” an
swered Tborndyke, with a coolness that
surprised even Johnston. "I have trav
eled in all countries under thosnn—tbe
sun I was born under—and got so bored
they are ravlahiugly bountiful, don’t w itb them that my friend and myself
.hint I t00 k to ballooning for diversion*, bnt
here there is a delightful surprise at ev-
you think so, Johnson?” !
"Don’t be a fool,” snapped tbe
American. "Don’t yon know enongh to
bold your tongue?”
Tradmos smiled as if amused, and
when he had shown them to seats near
tbe great golden throne be said:
"Stay where yon are till tbe king
■ends for yon, and then go and kneel be
fore the throne. Do not rise till he bids
yon.”
The captives thanked him, and the
captain turned away. Tbe eyes of all
the rqyal party now rested on the
strangers, and it was hard for them to
appear unconscious of it A great crowd
was slowly filling the room, and an or
chestra in a balcony on tbe left of tbe
dais began to make delightful music on
instillments the strangers had never be
fore seen. After an entrancing prelude
a sound of singing was heard, and far
up in a grand dome, lighted like the
one tbe captives had just admired over
the central court of the place, they saw
a bevy of maidens, robed in white,
moving about in midair, apparently un
supported by anything.
"How on earth is that done?” asked
Tborndyke.
"I don’t know,” returned Johnston,
•peaking more freely now that tbe cap
tain had gone. "I am not surprised at
anything.”
ery turn.
"I was told von were aeronauts,” re
turned tbe ruler, deigning to cast a
glance at the silent Johnston, who stood
with eyes downcast, "and I confess that
it interested me in yon. '*
At that juncture a most beautiful girl
glided through tbe enrtains at tbe back
of the throne and came impulsively to
ward the king. Her brown hair fell in
rich masses on her bare shoulders. Her
eyes were large, deep and brown, and
her skin was exquisitely fine in texture
and color. Her dress was artistic and
well suited to her lithe figure. She held
an instrument resembling a lute in her
hands and stopped suddenly when she
noticed that the king was engaged.
"It is my daughter, the Princess Ber
nardino,” explained tbe king as he
heard her light step and turned toward
her. She shall sing for yon, and—yes
(nodding to her), you shall dance also.”
Aa she took her position on a great
rag in front of the throne she kept her
eyes on the handsome Englishman as if
fascinated by his appearance. Thorn-
dyke's heart beat quickly. The blood
mantled his face, and he stood en
tranced as she touched the resonant
strings witb her white fingers and be
gan to play and sing. An innocent, art-
CHAPTER V.
' 'Follow mr. ’ ’ said tbe captain stiffly,
for there wriv several guards in white
and gold uniforms pacing to and fro on
the battlement like walls. He led tbe
two adventurer* through a door in tbe
base of the dome. At first they were
dazed by * brilliant light from above,
and, looking up, they beheld a marvel
of kaleidoscopic colors formed by a
myriad of electric lighted prisma slop
ing gradually from tbe floor to the
apex of the dome. Tborndyke could
compare It to nothing but a stupendous
diamond, tho very heart of which tbe
eye penetrated.
"Don’t look at it now,” advised
•Tradmos in an undertone. "It was con
structed to be *ccn from below and to
light the great rotunda. *’
Mutely tbe captivesobeyed. At every
turn they were greeted witb a new
wonder. The captain now led them
round a narrow balcony on the inside
of the vast dome, and, looking over tbe
i railing down be low, they saw a vast
ellated pavement made of polished
sof various and brilliant colors
that from
pictures ol
s to meet the
e eye rested. Statues
f white marble, gold and bronze were
1 here arid dure, and in squares of
j green fountains threw upstreams
l crystal water. Tradmos paused for
, Jttm to look down and smiled at their
trident admiration.
“How far w it down there!” Thorn-
“Their voice »ra exquisite, and that | ltm mi]e her lip8 {rom her
orchestra—a Boston sympbonj concert ■ ma tchleea teeth, and her face glowed
couldn’t be compered to it | with inspiration. Fur above in the
“There goe, the eunlight again,”
cried Johnston. “Bf Jove, it is bine!”
The transition was sublime. They
seemed transported to eome other scene.
The greet multitude, tbe elegantly
dressed attendant, about tbe throne, tho
conrtiers, tbe beanttfol women, all
seemed to change in appearance. On the
view through the wide doors leading to
tho conaervatay and the great swarm
ing court beyond the soft bine light fell
like a filmy veil of enchantment.
Wonderful!” exclaimed tho Ameri-
“Over 1,000 feet,” replied Tradmos.
"Look screws opposite and yon will am
that them am 50 floors beneath ns, and
eachfioorha* abaloonylike thisover-
looking the court" .
•■What is the sound that cornea up
from below?" the Englishman.
'It is the voice, of tb&peoploand
l
It is ahead of our clocks anyway,"
jested Tborndyke. "Any child that can
count on Its fingers eeuld tell that this
is the fifth hour of tbe day.”
Tbe mude grew lender. Then? was a
harmonious blare if mighty trumpets,
the clang of gcugs aud cymbals, and
then the music softened until it could
scarcely be beard. There was commo
tion about tbe throne.
The king was coming. Every person
on the ilais stood motionless, expectant.
A page drew aside the rich curtain from
a doer on tbe right, and an old man,
wearing a robe of scarlet ornamented
with jewels and a crown set with spar
kling gems, entered and seated himself
on tbe throne. Tbe music sank lower.
So aeft did it become that the tinkling
bells of the great fountain ontside could
bo heard throughout the room.
Tbe king bowed to the throng op the
dais and spoke a few words to a court
ier who advanced as he sat down. The
courtier must have spoken of them, to
tbe king at once looked down at John
ston and Tborndyke and nodded his
the youth left the dais and came toward
the captive*.
"We are in to it,” cautioned Thorn-
dyke. don't beafraid of your
ccoks and crannies of the vast dome,
with its divergent corridors and'‘ar
cades, the faint echoes of her voice
seemed to reply to her during the
pauses in her sang. Then she ceased
singing, and to tbe faraway and yet
distinct accompaniment of some stringed
instrument in the orchestra she began
to dance. Holding her instrument in a
graceful fashion against her shoulder as
one holds a violin and with her flowing
white gown caught in tbe other hand,
she bowed and smiled and instantly
seemed transformed. From tbe statu
esque and dreamy singer she became a
marvel of graceful motion. To and fro
she swept from end to end of tbe great
rug, her tiny feet and slim ankles trip
ping so lightly that she seemed to move
without support through tbe air.
Tborndyke stood as if spellbound, for
at every turn, as if seeking his approv
al, she glanced at him inquiringly.
When she finished, she stood for a mo
ment in the crcter cf the rag panting,
her beautiful l esem. beneatli its filmy
covering cf iac*. gently rising and fall
ing. Turn, ashing her father’s consent
with a mute glance, she ran forward
impulsively, and kneeling at Thcrn-
dyke’s fee : she took his hand and press
ed it to her lips, and, rising, suffused
with blcsbes she tripped lrom the dais
and disappeared behind the curtain.
The king frowned as be looked after
her. "It is a mark of preference," be
said coldly. "It is cee of onr customs
to a dancer or singer to favor some one
of her spectators in that way. My daugh
ter evidently mistook you to an embas
sador from one of my provinces, hut it
“They are watching the city.” And
when tho strangers drew nearer t!?ry
were surprised to see reflected, in \'. e
deeply concave glass, the entire city «u
miniature, its streets, parks, public
buildings and moving populace. Aud
what seemed to be tbe most remarkable
feature of the invention was that tbe in
stant the eye rested on any particular
portion of tho whole that part was at
once magnified so that every detail of it
was clearly observable.
"This is an improvement on your po
lice system, ” continued the king. "No
sooner does anything go wrong than a
red signal is given on the spot of the
tronble and the attention of these officers
is immediately called to it. A flying
machine is sent ont, and the offender is
brought to the police station. Bnt trou
ble of any natnre rarely occurs, and tbe
duties of onr police are merely nominal.
My people live in thorough harmony.
Now, come with me, and I will give yon
an idea of tbe surrounding country. ”
As tbe king spoke be led them into a
circular room, the roof of which was of
white glass, and the walls were lined
with large mirrors.
"This is onr general observatory,
from which every part of Alpha can be
seen,” said the king, with a touch of
pride in his tone. "Look at tbe mirror
in front of you."
They did as he requested and at first
•aw nothing, bnt as he went to a stone
table in the center of the room and
touched an electric button a grand view
of green fields, forests, streams, lakes
and farmhouses flashed npoo tbe mirror.
Tbe king laughed at their surprise and
touched another button. Aa be did so
the scene si fted gradually. The land
scapes ran l 7 like a panorama. A pret
ty village came into sight and passed,
then a laigtr town aud still a larger,
then fields, bills and valleys aud lorcsts
of giant trees.
"It is that way all over my king
dom,” said the king. "In an boor I can
inspect it all.”
"Bnt how is it dene?” asked Thorn-
dyke, forgetting himself iu wonder.
"Through a telescopic invention
aided by electricity and the clearness of
our atmosphere,” replied tbe king. "It
wcnld take too long to go into the de
tails. The views, however, are reflected
to this point from various observatories
throughout the land. Such a system
would be impossible in any other coun
try on account of tbe clouds and atmos
pheric changes, but here we control
everything.”
"I noticed,” returned tbe English
man, ' ‘that green fields lie beside ripen
ing ones and those in which the grsin ii
being harvested.”
"We have no change of seasons," an
"Follow mwfT ho said.
"Yes, and this time it is white, like
old Sol’s natural smile; bnt isn’t it
clear? It seems to me that I could see
to tbe end of the earth in that light I
want to know how be does it,"
"How who does it?”
"Why, tbe king, of course; it is his
work—some sort of invention—bnt we
must keep civil tongues in onr heads
when we are dealing with a man who
con color the very light of the sun.”
They were walking back toward the
great rotunda, and as they entered the
conservatory the crowds of men and
women stared at them curiously. They
bad paused to inspect the statue of a
massive stone dragon when a young of
ficer in glittering uniform approached
and addressed Johnston.
"Follow me,” he said simply. "It is
tbe king’8 command.”
The American started and looked at
Tborndyke apprehensively.
"Go,” said the latter. "Don’t hesi
tate an instant.”
Poor Johnston had turned white. He
held ont his hand to Tborndyke,
"Shake,” be said in a whisper not in
tended for the ears of the officer. "I
don't believe that we shall meet again.
I have felt that we were to be parted
ever since that medical examination.”
Thorndyke’s face had altered. An
angry flush came in biB fp.ee and b|s
eyes flashed, bnt with an efTcrt he con
trolled himself.
"Tut, tut. Don’t be silly. I shall wait
for yon round here. If there is any foul
play I shall make some one suiter for
it. Yon can depend cn me to the end.
We are hand iu band in this adventure,
old man."
"She is wonderfully beautiful,” re
plied the tactful Englishman, pretend
ing not to be flattered fay the notice of
awered the king. "Change of seasons
CHAPTER YU.
Johnston followed his geide to a ty
ing machine ontside. He hesitated an
instant as the officer was holding the
door epen mid looked back toward the
conscrrr.tt:y. faat ho could not see
Ttoorncyke.
"Wltie tie yen taking me?" he asked
desperately. But the officer did not seem
to Lear the question. He was motioning
to a t; ll man r f athletic build who wore
a dark blue uniform and who came has
tily forwaid and pushed the American
into the machine. Through tbe open
door JoLmton saw Tboradyke's anxious
face as the Englishman emerged from
the conrervatciy and strode toward
them. TLe two officers entered and
closed the glass door.
Then the machine rose, and John
ston’s spirits sank as they shot upward
and floated easily over the humming
crowd into the free white light above
the smokeless city. The poor captive
leaned on the window sill and looked
out. There was no breeze and no cur
rent of air except that caused by their
rapid passage through the atmosphere.
Up, up* they went till the city
seemed a blur of mingled white and
gray, and then tbe color below changed
to a vague bine as they flew over tbe
fields of the open country.
Tbe first officer took a glass and a
decanter from a receptacle under a seat,
and, ponriug a little red flnid into the
glass, offered it to the American.
"Drink it," he said. "It will put
yon to sleep for a time."
"I don’t want to be dragged."
"The journey will try your nerves.
It is harmless.”
"I don’t want it If I take it, yon
will have to pour it down my threat
The officer smiled as he pnt tbe glass
and decanter away. Faster and faster
flew the machine. They bad to pot
may be according to nature, bnt it is in
tbe province of man’s intellect to im
prove on nature. Bnt I must leave yon
now. 1 shall summon yon again when
I have the leisure to continue cor con
versation. ”
"Well, what do yon think of it?”
asked Johnston as the king disappeared
behind a curtain in the direction of the
audience chamber.
"1 give it up. I only know that the
old fellow’s daughter, tbe Princess
Bernardino, is tbe most beautiful, the
most bewitching creature that ever
breathed. Did you notice her eyes and
form? Great heavens! Was there ever
such a vision of human loveliness? Her
grace, her voice, her glances drove me
wild with delight.”
"You are dead gone,” grumbled the
American despondently. "We’ll never
get away from here in the world. I can
that,”
HH1
—I gave up all hope in that direction
samfc tints ago," said Thorndyke, "and
why sboold we care? We were awfully
bored with life before we came. For
my part, I’d as soon end mine np here
as anywhere else. Besides, didn’t b*s
majesty say that they live longer under
his system than we do?"
"I don’t take stock in all be says,"
yowled the American. "He talks lit
the window down, to the current of air
had become too strong and cool to be
pleasant The color of the sunlight
changed to greezr, and then at noon
from the zenith a glorious red light
shimmered down and veiled the earth
with such a beautiful, translucent haze
that the poor American to a moment
almost forgot his trouble.
The afternoon came on. The sunlight
became successively green, white, blue,
lavender, rose and gray. Tbe sun was
no longer in sight, and tbe gray in the
west was darkening into purple, tbe
last hour of the day. Night was at
hand. Johnston’s limbs were growing
stiff from inaction, and he had a strong
desire to speak or to bear one of the of
ficers say something, bat they were
dozing in tbeii respective corners. The
moon bad risen and hung far ont in
space overhead, bnt they seemed to be
leaving it behind. Later be felt sure of
this, for its light gradually became
dimmer and dimmer till at last they
were in total daxkncse—darkness pierced u.
only fay tbe ppwerfnl searchlight which a
threw its dazzling, trumpet shaped rays
far ahead. Bqt search as he would iu
tfie direction they were going' tEe un
fortunate American could see-nothing
bnt the ever receding wall of blackness.
Suddenly they began to descend. Tbe
.and stretched themselves
■
and yawned. One of them opened - tbe
window,.and Johnston heard a faroff.
roaring sound like that of a multitude
of skaters on a vast sheet of ice.
Down, down they dropped. John
ston’s heart was in his mouth.
The machine suddenly slackened in
its speed, and then hung poised in mid
air. The rays of the searchlight were
directed downward, and slowly shifted
from point to point. Looking down, the
American caught glim pees of nigged
rocks, sharp cliffs.and yawning chasms.
"How is K?” asked the first officer
through a speaking tube of the driver.
"A good landing." was tbe reply.
“Well, go down." And a moment
later tbe machine settled on the uneven
ground.
Tbe same officer opened the door and
gently pushed Johnston ont. Johnston
expected them to follow him, bnt the
door of the machine closed behind him.
"Stand out of the way," cried ont
the officer through the window. "You
may get struck as wo rise.”
Involuntarily Johnston obeyed. There
was a sound of escaping air from be
neath the machine, a fierce commotion
in the atmosphere which sucked him to
ward the machine, aud then tho daz
zling searchlight blinded him as tho
airship bounded upward and sailed back
over the course it had coxne.
Johnston stood paralyzed with fear.
"My God, this is awful!” be exclaimed
in terror, and bis knees gave way be
neath him, and he sank to the rock.
* ‘They have left me here to starve in
this hellish darkness.” Ho remained
there for a moment, bis face covered
witb bis hands, then he sprang np des
perately and started to grope through
the darkness, he knew not whither. He
stumbled at almost every step and ran*
against bowlders which braised his
hands and face aud went on till his
strength was gone. Then he paused and
looked back toward the direction from
which he had come. It seemed to him
that he could see the straight line of
mighty black wall, above which there
was a faint appearance of light A
lamp rose in tho throat of the poor fel
low, and tears sprang into his eyes.
But what was that? Surely it was a
sound. It could not have been the wind,
for tho air was perfectly 'stilt Tho
sonnd was repeated. It was like tho
moaning of a human voice far away in
the dork. Could it be some one in dis
tress, some poor nnfortmmte, banished
being like himself? Again he heard tho
sonnd, and this time it was like the^
voice of soiue one talking.
"Hello!” shouted the American, and " S "*V
a cold shudder went over hiny at the
sound of hii own husky voice' There
was a dead silence; then like uu echo of
his own cry faintly came tho word, .
"Hello!”
Filled with superstitions fear, tho
American cautiously groped toward tba
sound. "Hello, there! Who are you?"
"Help! Help!” said the voice, and .
it was now much nearer.
Johnston plunged forward precipi
tately. "Where are yon?”
"Here!” And a human form loomed
up before him.
Fcr a moment neltbef tpoke. Then
tbe strange figure said I
"I thought at first that you teem
some one sent to rescue me, bnt I see
you are alone—damned like myself. ’*
"It looks that way,” replied John
ston.
"When did they bring you?"
"Only a moment ago."
"My God, it is awfnl! A week ago I
did not dream of such a fate as thia. I
had enemies. The medical men were
bribed to vote against me. Am I not
strong? Am I not muscular? Feel my
arms and thighs. **
He held out an arm, and Johnston
felt of it The muscles were like atone.
"Yon are a giant"
"Ah, yon are right, bat they report
ed that there was a taint in my blood
I was to marry Lallto, tbe most beauti
ful creature in onr village—Madxyl,
yon know, the nearest hamlet to tbe
home of tbe sun. I was rich and the
best farmer there. But Lyngale wanted
her. She hated him and spat at him
when he spoke against me. He proved
by others that mylungs were weak and
showed them the blood of a slain dog
in my fields that they said had come
from my longs. Ah, they were curs.
My longs weak! Strike my chest with
all your might Does it not sound like
the king’s thunder? Strike, I say," and
aa the enfeebled American struck bis
bare breast he cried: "Harder, harder!
Pooh, yon are a child; see this and this,*’ >
and he emphasized his words with then- r
derons blows on bis resounding chest
"But is has been so to a century,"
he panted. "Hundreds have been un
justly buried alive here. Tbe king
thinks it is not murder, because they
die cf starvation. I have stumbled over
the JwPCS.of jg the .dark
lanc!i'i53'havOTB£t dyln^ mlblLaTare
stronger than tbe king’s athletes."
"What, are there others here?" gasp
ed tbe American.
Tbe Alphian was silent in astonish
ment
"Why, where did you come from?"
he asked after a pause.
"From New York city."
"I don’t know of it and yet I thought
I knew of all tbe places inside tbe great
endless wall."
. Johnston was mystified in his turn.
"It is not in your country—your world,
or whatever yon call it It is faraway."
"Ah, under the white son, in the
’ocean country,’ and tbe world of fierce
winds and disease, and you are from
there. I had heard of it before they ban
ished me, but two days since I came
across a dying man away over there.
He was huddled against tbe wall and
had fallen and killed himself in his ef
forts to climb back to food and light
saw him die. He told me (that be
come from your land when be was
His tronble was the lungs, and
he had fallen off to a skeleton. He
talked to me of ycrar wide ocean land.
Is it indeed so great? And has it no
walls about it?"
‘l£Tq; i_t is surrounded by water/*