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

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ATALANTA IN THE SOUTH

"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