Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1891-01-29

there was faint hope of saving her from
being shared by an adventurer he must
tell her the truth.
He did not find her, but instead found
Mrs. Otero in tears. Both the acronaut
and the young lady had moved from the
house. Miss Sheffield had gone that
morning, and the Spaniard had surrep-
titiously removed his luggage the night
before. 1t was clear that the couple had
eloped, although it was probable that
they would remain in the vicinity of
Washington until after the ascensions.
AS Garcia owed Mrs. Otero considerable
money she was naturally anxious 10 see
him.
Stoddard also wanted to see him and
to trace May Sheffield through him.
Much to his surprise, Stoddard found
her at the amusement grounds. When
he entered he saw her standing in a re-
mote part of the place, holding satchcl
in her hands. The idea occurred to him
that she intended to wait there until
after the performance when she and the
aeronaut would go away together.
Before the editor reached her side she
was accosted by an unpleasant-looking
man in seedy garments. He had cum
ming, almost crafty expression, and his
manner was so significant of secrecy that
Stoddard thought he might be an ac-
complce whom Garcia had chosen to aid
in the clopement. He spoke just as
Stoddard reached Miss Sheffield's side.
care you ready?' he asked. "Have
you it here?n
She had taken what appeared to be
letter from her satchel, when Stoddard
laid his hand upon her shoulder.
"Do not send it." he said, sternly.
''Do nothing before have talked with
you. l have something of terrible i'm
portance to tell YOU
He had drawn her arm through his,
and was half leading, half dragging her
from the place. when with her olsen
gagged hand she again offered the man the
paper.
'If you take any action now you will
regret it all your life.' Stoddard's
tones were so low that she alone could
hear them, but she disregarded his
words. 81 know that your letter is to
Esteban Garcia. know that you mean
to marry him. have something to tell
you that ought to make you think well
before you take such an important step.
If you refuse to hear me you will ruin
your life and mine"
In spite of his commands and asser-
tions she appeared unmoved. She gave
the man the letter.
Contrary to Stoddard's expectations,
she turned then and gave her attention
to him. He saw his advantage and
hurried her out of the place. Once she
hesitated and would have stopped, but
he drew her on toward his carriage. He
began to breathe freely when they were
on their way to the city. And then he
told her all that he had learned about
Garcia. She kept her face averted while
he talked, but every line in her rigid
little figure betrayed the fact that she was
listening He would not spare her; he
| dared not pity her, but he told the hard
facts with directncss that would have
been brutal if the necessity had been
less urgent.
"You know that / Of all men am no
scandal -monger, - he said. "You know
| that would condemn no human creature
without proof of his unworthiness. You
have no father or brother to guard OIL
caution you, and you should therefore
listen to your friends. You should have
kept the letter until you heard me-
Her eyes were downcast, her voice
preternaturally grave.
GAS you are my editor you have an
unqualified right to criticise my manu-
scripts" she said; ''but you have nc
license to intercept my lovc-letters, to &C
over them with blue pencil, or yet to
consign them to the waste-p paper basket.
You have no right to question my con
duct, but 1 am gcing to take you int
; my confidence, and tell you that tn
paper gave away in spite of your remon
strances was not very dangerous docu
: ment. 1t was nothing more or less thar
an empty envelope. gave it to depu
ty-sheriif, " she continued, composedly
"He intends to serve an injunction upoi
5 Garcia prohibiting him from making al
ascension until he has paid one hundred
: dollars for his biography. did no
; know that my lawyer intended to hav,
5 the paper served to-day, or would hav
| staid away from the grounds. When
saw the sheriff l OWNED his purpose
, and asked him to put the paper in al
> envelope. l thought it would thus b,
/ less conspicuous to the audience, anC
:
necessarily embarrassed. The injunc
ton must have done its work, and tn,
bill must have been paid, for the balloon
is in the air. :"
She was looking back toward Meteor
Park, and as her companion was toe
astonished, too overjoyed to speak, she
continued her story:
''I would never have pressed him for
the money, but my lawyer manages all
matters of business for me, and he has
discovered that the Spaniard is consti-
tutionally averse to paying his debts.
Now that have been 80 frank with you,
I would like you to tell me why you
thought was going to elope. l have a
satchel with me, but even an old bache-
lor like you must know that it is not
large enough for bridal trosseau. 1t
holds nothing but the tools of my trade,
pencils, envelopes, a writing pad, aud a
penknife. twas going to write up the
ascension"
"You and the aeronaut have both re.
moved your luggage from Mrs. Otero's. "
81 know nothing about the aeronaut's
luggage, but removed mine to another
house because Mrs. Otero talks too
much. She told fibs at Meteor Park.
She said l was engaged to a jumping
jack"
st oddard had vague impression that
he had been making au ass of himself,
but he was too supremely happy to be
greatly concerned about it.
"She told one true thing he said
"She said that loved you. / am no,
such light and airy creature as YOU
| nX. lover NOW sailing nYrr our heads