Page:The Diothas, or, A far look ahead (IA diothasorfarlook01macn).pdf/292

 phonic communication with there was temporarily cut off. During such storms as that now approaching, it was considered safest to disconnect, for a while, all the wires entering the house.

We did not, after all, lie in the direct path of the storm. A few miles farther north, almost every tree was prostrated throughout the district; while we escaped with comparatively slight damage, though the storm was supposed to be the severest that had occurred for several generations. This evening is signalized in my memory, however, chiefly by a peculiar adventure that occurred to me.

During the height of the storm, I had occasion to go to my room for a certain book. Just as I closed the door to return, there came a blinding flash of lightning, followed by a crash of thunder that seemed to make the building shake to its foundation. At the same moment the electric light that illumined the corridor gave a fitful flash, then left me in total darkness. Confused, I took the wrong direction, going right on instead of to the left. Before traversing the whole corridor, I knew I had made a mistake.

While pausing, trying to orient myself, by the flash that seemed to issue from it I became aware of a half-open door just facing me. I entered. By looking from the window I might gain some idea of where I was. I found myself in a lofty circular apartment, of fair size, and lighted by a round window in the midst of the vaulted roof. This I could see by the now almost incessant glare of lightning. Ceiling, floor, and walls were cased in marble. Of marble, also, were the rows of carved consoles that occupied the walls from ceiling to floor. On