The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1900-01-09
His Passenger in a Balloon.


Then let her CO.,
As the bauoonist shouted the COM
mand the men below loosened the ropes
simultaneously, and the liberated air ves-
sci leapt with sudden bound into space.
Up. up, 500 feet in less than the half
of that number Of seconds. The profess
scr gathered in his loose tackle, then oe-
cupied himself throwing out the sand
bags as they reached the thinner air.
while the solitary passenger sat silently
watching him.
Above trees, houses and church spires
they shot, until the earth spread out like
a man below them, and from the earth
the balloon looked like a Chinese lantern.
They had now reached the wind current
wanted 10 send them in their required
direction. They were sailing along
swiftly 1000 feet above the world. with
no more to do at present than make each
Others acquaintance and watch the pan
Drama they We're driving over.
Professor RAYMOND had made a good
number of these lond aerial voyages, with
undertaking Success. He never carried
more than one passenger a time, and
charged such high-priced fares that only
the wealthy could indulge in this novel
mode of passage.
Professor RAYMOND was unmarried, and
was well known for his scientific accom-
plishments and for his fearless love OF
adventure: therefore it was esteemed
high privilege TO accompany him even at
the prohibitive rate he charged.
On the present occasion his agent had
informed him that his companion would
be a Captain Hammond, an officer who
had distinguished himself in Egypt and
Africa. He therefore felt no doubt but
that they would get on well enough to-
gether.
The passenger had only entered the
car a few moments before it's ascent
so that the professor had just shaken
hands with him hurriedly, without so
much as looking at him, his full atten-
ton being concentrated IN arranging the
loosening off.
He expected to find a man of his OWE
age at least. Judge, then, his astonish-
ment at finding himself confronted by a
slenderly built lad of not more than 10
or 20, with smooth cheeks, fair hair
violet-tinted eyes, and remarkably pretty
features He was dressed in light tweed
knickerbockers, loose sack coat and an
Inverness waterproof. The professor re-
garded the youth doubtfully for a mo-
ment, and then said:
Captain Hammond, I understand"
''Well, ma replied the other, in a clear,
silvery voice, smiling and exhibiting two
rows of teeth like pearls. Captain Ham
mond met with a slight accident this
afternoon; therefore I came in his place"
"And may I ask who you are?"
81 am the cousin of Captain Hammond,
and my name is-Ethel."
"A woman? Gracious heavens~ gasped
Professor Raimond, sinking back in dis
may and feeling inclined to pitch himself
over the car.
The professor sprang up in fury and
looked over the car. Already England
had almost disappeared. and beneath
them lay the German ocean. They were
speeding fast as a strong wind could
carry them in the direction of Norway.
1t was appalling.
What had happened to him during the
time of his throwing out the last sandbag
and his-discovery of the sex of this all too
reckless fellow-passenger? Had he lost
without being aware Of it,
in the horror of this discovery and the
thought of the scandal it would create?
Men have been known to do so when
overworked mentally, to lose hours or
commit actions during those long lapses
Of consciousness which they denied hon.
estly since they had no memory or self
of the lapse,
He pulled out his watch. It had been
? o'clock when they started. 1t was
now half-past 7. 1t, had been warm,
sunshiny afternoon, five minutes, as it
seemed, before. 1t was now a chilly
evening, with acloudy gracy sky and
the drizzle of Scotch mist damping and
chilling him to the bone.
Shivering with cold and a torpid SEN
IL ~ Nj Ia
at the-fair young girl, as ne might have
an enchantress She also was
him with the same smile on her
Ups. but a curiously intent expression in
her keen blue eyes. /
We'll, sir. so you have awakened at
asst! I must say 1 did not think my
was prosy enough to send !
you to sleep. I expected it to have the !
opposite effect"
Have I been asleep?'' asked the pro-
lessor, helplessly.
Rather, and for five mortal hours. All /
he while 1 was wondering if we were |
going right. Are we?'
MOI replied the professor, bitterly. |
Had I no tbeen an idiot we should have |
1een back in London again"
"A fortunate thing it is for me, then, /
hat 9ou took the sudden fit of coma, |
augh of London. Now"
Your reputation is ruined and I will |
Je branded as a blackguard."
"Nonsensei All the world knows you /
% be a gentleman, while Inose who
znow me know 1 can take care of my !
elf-even among the clouds. Keep your /
mind easy. I suppose you intend 10 pro-
,eed now and take me to Christiana?"
That's splendid. How long do you
hink it will take to reach that city?"
Twenty hours, or less, at this rate"
Good, Now, as see you are dread
ully frightened about your charge, If
-ou will land me within a reasonable dis i
ance Of Christiana. I'll trouble you no 1
more with my unwelcome presence, and
,romise you to explain everything TO the
ntire satisfaction of my friends. Now
cts havesomething to eat, as am
positively starving"
Her high spirits and total Indifference
nd Inconsistencies Of anything wrong
bout her present position infected him, /
n spite Of his nervous dread, and some
What restored his presence Of mind and
a Imness.
They had a cold supper. with a few
lasses of champagne. which made him
enial and hopeful as to the outcome Of
ne adventure. After supper they set
led themselves down. he 70 attend to
he airshfp and she TO watch and enjoy
er novel surroundings.
It was evening when they dropped 20
arth on the outskirts Of N5rwsy's cap
al. and leaving the collapsed balloon
q a field. together they walked toward
ae lights. he carrying his bag. which
-eighed heavy. A. the hotel she parted
-ith him in the same off-hand. eomrade-
Ike manner. she had adopted toward him