Page:Maud Howe - Atlanta in the South.djvu/78

 "You shall see," answered Margaret. "They have come to take away the supports, and you shall guess what the subject is."

When the obscuring planks were removed, a strong light was cast upon the roof of the mine, which was vaulted, like the aisle of a Norman church. Vast pillars hewn out of the quartz, spanned by round arches, supported the roof; and near one of these massive columns Margaret had carved the likeness of the salt-sprite. The face on which the brilliant flickering light now fell was set about with glittering salt-crystals, which shone like so many mammoth diamonds. It was a melancholy face, full of startled surprise. From the darkness of the mine it glimmered forth, pale, reproachful, ghostly.

"How beautiful, but how uncanny! Where did you ever see such a face, child?" said Mrs. Harden, breaking the silence.

"Here in the mine."

"It is a great success," said the master of the mine, "and I congratulate myself on the possession of so remarkable a work of art. My only regret is that it exists in so perishable a material."

Each one had his or her word to say of praise and gratulation. General Ruysdale, pleased and proud, walked about, viewing the sculptured head from every point, "positively chortling