The anti-monopolist. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1874-1878, 1876-01-13

mansion rather than any other portion Of
the house,
SHOW many ascensons have you made"
This Will be the first on my own respon-
sibility. Ihave, however, been up at di-
vers times under the direction Of others
Now, meet my frankness in kind; tell me
how old frinds are getting on, and abou:
your own affairs, too. if you choose
''Well, returned Thavies, slowly, as if
about 10 touch on doubtful subject, '.you
know, l suppose, that l am married.
Joe Steele became suddenly grave.
10 whom?" he asked, looking steadily at
the wall before him.
ITO Mary Graham. Of course
The shabby seronaut paled visibly, and
sank against the wall.
''At last-at last" he murmured, broken
".
| Thavies went toward him quickly.
'My dear Joe, did not expect this. You
must not give way to nonsense, your know.
thought you had got over your within for
Mary's love long SINCE
1.-The dream is over" returned the other,
recovering himself with an effort '.All ie
ast, Thavies."
| What do you mean!"
| sWhat do you mean" he cried, his voice
rising almost into a shrill scream 1 mean
that she promised me, when l left school
that night, to be true to me until we should
meet again-nay, if We did not meet till af-
ter death. Oh, loved her SO, man. loved
her better than my soul; and Thavies, you
remember how jealous | was Of you? l
feared she might be false in my absence. So
l brought Bible with me and compelled
her to swear-there and then-:hat she
would never be your wife. Through all my
long weary pilgrimage it has been such COM
fort in trial, vexation and disappointment,
to think that one day, prehaps. should 60
back to her and find her still keeping her
| troth. But now you tell me she has been
false
| He burst into wild tears, and hid his
| bronzed face in his arms against the wall of
the room.
| Thavies was much moved.
..My dear Joe," he said, kindly, .'think
how foolish it was to rest the happiness of
your life on such schoolboy vision. My
wife has told me that she loved you truly
and at one time believed that she would wait
in patience until you came back to claim
her hand, or release her from the vow she
made But after few years-she had new
er heard of you after the night af your de-
parture-she concluded you had forgotten
your absurd engagement, and SO she marri
ed me-
The eronant brushed away his tears, and
looked up.
Thavies, you arc right, he said, with a
short, hysterical laugh. 1.-THE shadow be-
ing gone, am a man again! Forgive my
weakness. Tears. idle tears. l know not
what they mean; and, to be plain, old boy,
don't care. Away with melancholy. then!
Let US be joyful while we may. Ask me to
lunch with you, Harry. can't ask you,
you know. Where shall the banquet be set
FORTH"
His manner had already changed. The
old restless gayety had come back more
startling and CHASTITY than ever.
Anywhere you choose. But how can we
lunch together, since you are to make your
assertion at two o'clock, and it is now
quarter past ones'
ut isl" exclaimed Steele, in surprise.
Then must be off Instantly" He moved
toward the door, but suddanly turned and
came back. "Tve thought, Travies. Go
up in the ballt 20 with me, won't you. It's
a rare offer. know the ropes as well as
do my name, and there'll be no danger.
The fact is, want to talk to you"
Thavies was taken little aback.
Il should like to try such an adventure
he said. ..What time shall we come down.
| and where."
.Any time, anywhere. Sometime. some
where: all right. be assured. Gomez
After 3 little further hesitation Thavies
agreed They set of for Vauxhall Gardens
at once, stopping to get bottle Of sherry
! and some sandwiches, and on arriving At
,hier destination found the balloon already
inflated and crowd gathered TO see it of
sJust in the nick Of time" said Steele.
Jump in, old boy"
Thavies stepped into the swaying basket,
| looked very curious and doubtful, and the
aeronaut followed. A band of music began
TO play, and the multitude cheered Justify
ecu, Cd, /" shouted Steele. We've got
everything, believe. Yes, all right. Now.
don't be nervous. Harry. take hold Of the
rope: that'l do. Give way
And, swaying slowly from side TO side. up
they went Thavies chung to the edge Of the
basket, at FIRST, in great alarm, but Steele
laughed.
..Pooh, you can't be pitched out" he said.
.Look II me- sit very calmly on this
flying trape1e arrangement, and drink your
health :.
He opened the bottle and took huge
swallow.
NOW to business Is the ballast AL cor
rect. Quite eh! Everything in its place, l
believe. Yes. Then let Us make ourselves
comfortable
But the advice vas quite thrown away
upon Thavies.
Il don't feel very comfortable, ! must
confess, joe" he returned, clinging to the
sides With both hands. 81 wish hadn't
| come
They we're rising 1t . great rate now. No
speed in the world could have been Is rapid.
..Pshaw. That sort Of feeling win easily
ware Oh. experienced it At first.
But it don't ware OF in the least
Higher. higher and higher they hew.
Suddenly Steele, who had been devourlne
the sandwiches and disposing Of more wine,
cried OUT
Look over the edge, Harry"
Thavies, BY Z graat effort Of viii, stead
led himself with his fee, and peeped down
The sight Vas strange beyend description.
4 =. 80 Law hAlnw