Daily Yellowstone journal., 1889-04-09

The colonel was on the alert, but
the strange object in the air was some
distance away, and so unlike any fly
ing thing they had ever seen before
that il took both men two Dr. three
minutes TO comprehend what II was.
Even then they could not account for
it. They did not fully understand
whatlhad happened. But Col. Jack
made up his mind that, whoever the
girl was or however she had got into
that situation, She was not in the right
place for q child OF her agc. And there
was only II way to get her out OF it.
He raised his rifle and let ly. But
the motion OF his calboat and the
progress of the balloons through the
air made il very difficult for him to
take a sure aim. The first shot had
no effect. Ben Piver Caves short dis
gusted laugh. Then the colonel grew
mad" He perceived now that the
harbor was full of boats coming out
toward him, and that there was a big
crowd on the shore watching the pro-
ceedings.
IF | don't hit this time" said he 70
Ben, as he put a fresh cartridge into
the breech, my regulations gone,
and l leave Refers Point tonight"
Crack went the second shot. The
crowd and Ben heard its mournful
'whoo" as ii sped through the bright
air; and almost instantly one of the
balloons collapsed and shrivelcd up.
An audible cheer came blowing out
from the people ON shore and in the
boats, and Col. Jack loaded again.
But just imagine how Mrs. Tredloe
felt when she saw that puff of gun
smoke from the catboat, and realized
that some n was fringa at Birdiel She
had barely recovered from Der fainting
tit when this happened. Better TO
let her drown or blow away beyond
recovery than do that" she gasped in
anguish. why, it is murder! Can't
any n stop that man from shoot
ingf"
DR.. Haygood and her friends tried
to explain the matter to her, but she
tainted again before they could do SO,
and it was lucky for her that she be-
came unconscious, because the gal
liant colonel was blazing away again
with his rifle at closer range. An
other Of the balloons was punctured,
and seemed to vanish. Col. Jacks
catboat all the time drew nearer 10 a
spot on the water just below the hoy
ering baby, who now hung suspended,
fortunately very close 10 a long sand
spit that iutted out into the inlet Just
beyond the harbor's mouth.
One more shot finished off a third
balloon, an there were not enough left
in the bunch nov 10 hold Birdie up.
Slowly, steadily, softly, she began to
descend, precisely as ii she were being
let downward by a pair Of arms NOV
ing gently, and in a few minutes Col.
Jack had the satisfaction Of seeing her
sink quietly and comfortably down
Oh the sand heap, with the remaining
balloons still fluttering around her
like SO many huge bubbles Of gor-
geous color.
His boat was the first to reach the
point of sand. Ben Piver leaped out,
ran to the child, and turning, waved
his hat as lie shouted TO the assembled
feet, Gentlemen, she's alive and kick
Ing. wlervat another cheer arose,
long and loud.
Col. Jack all but wept over the
child as he caught her up and kissed
her. But Birdie, on landing amid the
sand, had calmly and unconcernedly
begun playing with il. Her hands
were full OF little shells. desc for
mamma" she remarked, cheerfully.
He hurried her into his boat, and
sailed back to the wharf, accompanied
by the rest Of the fleet. There was a
tremendous press of men and women
on the wharf. Mr.. Middleby, who re-
ceived Birdie as she was handed up,
started TO rush with her to her mother.
But, strangely enough, in the crush
and confusion of the crowd, he missed
his way, and stepping accidentally over
the side, fell with a plunge into the
water, carrying Birdie along with him.
The colonel and Ben Piver were over
board in a moment, and soon had
her safe ashore; so that before they
brought her TO Mrs. Tredloe she
had been rescued twice. Some
one had run ahead 10 tell
the poor mother that Birdie was
ell right With DR.. Haygood's help
she rose up on her couch 10 welcome
the little maiden back; and us the col.
onel entered with Birdie in his arms
there was 4 cry of recognition on both
sides.
Jack Welstedw exclaimed the
widow, in establishment.
AS for Col. Jack, he stood gazing
from Birdie 10 her mother, in whom
he beheld his lost love, formerly Eve
Ign Carter. Her husband, Mr.. Tired.
loe, had died not long after Birdie was
born; but Col. Jack had known moth
ing about this, having heard no news
OF them for three years or more.
The end Of il was that Col. Jack
Welsted and Mrs Tredloe were married
before the season at Refers Point
was over, and that was how he came
~ 0e .ae sIeplQtler Of Baby Bal
LOOM
All this happened some fifteen years
before cur conversation with the col
onel that evening on the piazza. The
day after he had recitCd the circum-
stances ~ us, Joe TcrTiu came TO him
and sad; Colonel, / was very much
interested IN tho story you told us last
night, hut II spoiled a little plan of
mine: l have been intending TO save
Miss BRIDES life myself rs soon as
could get O good Glance 10 do SO, Orc.
paratory TO asking her 70 marry me.
But as found you had already saved
her life twice, fifteen years ago, the
wind seemed " have hnnn tnl-cn clnnn