The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1897-12-24

ana what sight greeted my eyesl On
a couch sat my Maud-my future hap
piness-and at her side, his right arm
about her waist and holding her hand
with his left, sat man whom had
never seen before.
My first impulse was to crash through
the window and grasp him by the
throat But, on second thought, de-
cided to wait at least few moments
and see what would occur.
In the meantime my companion had
secured the balloon and had Joined me.
Her words nettled me.
Dear Henry, pleasant sight, is it
not?"
Imade no answer, but peercd into the
window all the moro eagerly. L saw
him rise and throw himself at her feet,
still retaining her hand. l saw his lips
move and noticed her head shake from
side to side. At last he arose, and No
one was prepared for what followed, at
least l was not.
With quick motion he brought forth
pistol, placed it against his temple
and deliberately pulled the trigger. A
flash, followed by a sharp report, an
agonizing shrek, and cloud of smoke
told the story all too plainly.
This was beyond all human endur.
ance. Twas about to spring through the
window when my companion again as
serted her magnetic influence.
"Not so fast, Henry" she said. "To-
morrow will do, Gomez
Submissively l followed her. Being
safely seated in the basket again, we
started on our return trip.
AS we assembled looked over the side
of the basket. Ny companion Joined me.
"My love, she murmured, 81 would
like very much to take leap from the
side of this balloon. have done it often
before and safely Lookp'
She stopped and picked up a para
chute which had hitherto escaped my
attention. In bewildered way watch
ed her.
"Goodby, my love, " she said. "When
drop, pull this lever-so; you see?-
and that will bring the balloon to the
ground in short notice. But remember
this: Under no circumstances must you
tamper with the other mechanism.
She climbed upon the edge Of the
basket, poised moment and then threw
herself from the balloon.
l saw her CO. watched her as she
endeavored to spread the parachute. But
in vain. heard her shrek of despair
as she shot downward. kept my eyes
riveted on her until she faded away in
the distance. y.
A thought struck me. / could descend
} and see what had become of her. Spring
ing to the side of the basket, pulled
the lever, but it failed to respond. Again
, and again did pull, but it was useless.
, Frantically pressed large button
at my side. A dull roar seemed to issue
from the inflated part Of the balloon
} roar that gradually became deafening.
Slowly the balloon started to sink,
| gradually gaining speed as it descended.
1t now shot so rapidly that certain de.
: struction seemed to await me below.
Crossing to the other side, peered
} below. Heavens, the housetops could
] now be plainly distinguished in the soft
gray light of dawn! One house stood VI
5 boldly above the others. 1t was the
house in which lived, and if the bal
loon could not be checked l should fal
: right on it.
I looked over again, and this time thu
= houses appeared to be very short dis
lance away. Could nothing be done
/ No The machinery still maintained it
l rigidness.
I ] closed my eyes and awaited the end
i There was dull, rasping sound as tn,
n balloon struck the roof of the house
q and
v Charlie, are you going to work thi
I morning."
d 1t was my roommate's voice. Had
: been dreaming? Well, guess that wa
b about the size Of the whole adventure
a Clarence Mcdonald in Owl.