The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-05-06
IN DREAMLAND.


with it is one Of the strangest adven-
lures Of my eventful career.
was seated on the veranda Of the |
house in which boarded It was quite
late--yes, remember hearing the tower
clock strike IL. There is nothing in the |
world that will occupy mans atten-
ton when seated alone in the dark like |
meditation. Suffice it to say that I was
thinking.
How long would have sat there do |
not know. But as happened to glance |
at the sky l noticed a faint light far Off |
coming toward me. At first it was moth |
ing but speck dotting the heavens, but |
as it approached it grew momentarily
larger. Bewildered, watched it come
on, and, as it got within 200 feet of me,
l noticed that it was gigantic balloon.
At last it arrived within 90 feet of me
and landed. AT the expiration of five
minutes form stepped out Of the bas-
ket and as the person got between my
self and the light which hung from the
balloon l noticed that it was a woman.
She walked straight up the garden path
and on to the veranda and then to me.
Placing her hand ON my shoulder, she
said:
My dear Henry, would you like to
take journey with me in my balloon
on peculiar erraNd?"
Her dear Henryl The woman was
evidently mistaken, as my name was not
Henry.
But before had time to reply or col
lect my thought she went on:
II knew you would, and it was need
less to ask you. Henry, when l stated /
loved you centuries ago it was indeed
true, and when you died and left me I
thought my heart would break, and i
vowed then and there to watch over you
and sacredly guard your remains When
you came-returned from-well, when
you entered upon this second life knew
your heart was no longer for me, but l
still maintained my watchfulness, and
what did 1 see? beheld you a week aft
er your return to life-in a room with
your arms around her. Well, to make
long story short, have come tonight to
show you her infidelity."
My God, was the woman insane?
What did she mean by second lifei
What did she know about centuries ago?
And, then, who did she take me forT
However, l made up my mind to sec
the thing out, so l replied:
''Well"-I was going to address her
by name, but | knew none and would
not make a foolish guess-''pet, how
was to know where you were? In vain
did l seek you. p
But she interrupted me with:
Let it pass, Henry; let it pass. 1t
can make no material difference now.
But answer me. Would you like to see
your present love?"
admitted that l would, and seated
myself in the basket and watched her
manipulate the machinery of the bal
loon. 1t was unlike any other balloon I
had ever seen-very large, but square in
FORM She inflated it by simply touch
ing lever and then reversing it. There
was no ballast in the basket. / watched
her preparing for our aerial flight and
scanned her face closely. 1t was beau
tiful one, one which haunts me to this
very day.
massive structure swayed for moment,
then with the gracefulness of bird
sprang into the air and started upon its
journey.
will not attempt to describe what
followed. / remember vaguely of hold
ing that strange being in my arms and
rashly kissing her pretty lips as we
swooped through the air.
Releasing herself from my embrace,
she sprang to the mechanism of the bal
loon and pulled back the largest lever
! with quick jerk. We seemed to hover
in one spot for moment and then shot
swiftly downward. How far we dropped
had no means of ascertaining. But
had the satisfaction Of seeing the thing
settle easily down and Heavens, how
: did the woman know that house? We
had settled by the side of the house in
which the young lady lived to whom
was then engaged
About ten feet from where we were
was window, through which bright
light shone. This was very unusual in
this house, considering the lateness OF
the hour.
Climbing out of the basket, walked
noiselessly to the window and gazed in,
And what sight greeted my eyes! Or
3 couch sat my Maud-my future hap
f piness--and at her side, his right arm
about her waist and holding her han6
with his left, sat man whom l hac
never seen before.
My first impulse was to crash through
the window aud grasp him by the
| throat. But, on second thought, de
r cided to wait at least few moments
and see what would occur.
In the meantime my companion haC
D secured the balloon and had Joined me.
Her words nettled me,
Dear Henry, pleasant sight, is il
not?"
Imade no answer, but peered into the
: window all the more eagerly. / saw
him rise and throw himself at her feet
, still retaining her hand. l saw his lip
!. move and noticed her head shake from
( side to side. AT last he arose, and M
9 one was prepared for what followed, a
n least was not.
. With quick motion he brought fortl
! q pistol, placed it against his temple
' and deliberately pulled the trigger. A
: flash. FOLLOWED. by sharp report, al