The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1897-05-11
IN DREAMLAND.


fitful gusts, and the boughs bent their
heads before it in harmony 1t was
night l shall never forget, as coupled
with it is one of the strangest adven-
lures Of my eventful career.
was seated ON the veranda of the
house in which boarded 1t was quite
late-yes, remember hearing the tower
clock strike II. 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 1 was
thinking.
How long would have sat there do
not know. But as happened to glance
at the sky noticed 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, I watched it come
on, and, as it got within 300 feet of me,
noticed that it was gigantic balloon.
At last it arrived within 30 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 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 a peculiar errandP'
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:
Il knew you would, and it was need
less to ask you. Henry, when stated /
loved you centuries ago it was indeed
true, and when you died and left me
thought my heart would break, and
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
still maintained my watchfulness, and
what did see? beheld you week aft
er your return to life-in a room with
your arms around her. Well, to make a
long story short, 1 have come tonight to
show you her infdelity.'
My God, was the woman insane?
What did she mean by a second lifef
What did she know about centuries agoP
And, then, who did she take me for2
However, 1 made up my mind to see
the thing out, SO I replied:
'Well"--I was going to address her
by name, but | knew none and would
not make foolish guess-"pet, how
was to know where you wereP In vain
did / seek you. 70
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 lover"
| admitted that would, and seated
myself in the basket and watched her
manipulate the machinery of the bal
loon. 1t was unlike any other balloon /
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 I watched
her preparing for our aerial fight and
scanned her face closely. It was beau
tiful one, one which haunts me to this
very day.
She touched small button, and the
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 l
was then engaged.
About ten feet from where we were
was window, through which a 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 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
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 peered into the
window all the more eagerly. saw
him rise and throw himself at her feet,
still retaining her hand. 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 was not.
With aquick 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 a 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. ITO
morrow will do. Gomez
Submissively followed her. Being
safely seated in the basket again, we
started ON our return trip.
AS we assembled I looked over the side
of the basket. My companion joined me-
My love-" she murmured, 81 would
like very much to take a leap from the
side Of this balloon. have done it often
before and safely. Lookl"
She stopped and picked up para
chute which had hitherto escaped my
attention. In bewildered way watch
ed her.
"Goodby, my love, !" she said. "When
! l DROP pull this lever-so; you seer
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 balle.nn-