The midland journal., 1902-12-26


talking to you today"
At 3 o'clock the high bluffs behind
Officers row were crowded. In the
foreground were Mrs. Murnane and
her staff of officers wives. They hung
about Lieutenant Vaughan and the
major and Arthur Graves, and Mrs.
Murnane had great deal to say. She
stood well to the front and received
belated congratulations on the engage
ment of her child to Vaughan, and if
Mary blushed and trembled at hearing
them, why, that was natural.
Vaughan was in great spirits, but
Graves was very nervous and silent.
Very soon a great balloon rose, in
fiated, from the ground, bearing car
riage filled with all kinds of instru-
ments and Vaughan and Graves. 1t
was held captive by a single stout
rope. 1t ascended to considerable
height and was then brought down.
you would hardly believe 1t possi-
BILE, Mrs. Murnane," said Vaughan to
the lady. 'When you are up, you can
see every bush and stray steer for
miles and miles. l took two or three
shots with the camera. They will give
you new idea of the country about.
But you should go up yourself. Won't
your
But Mrs. Murnane imperatively de-
clined.
Il could trust myself anywhere with
you, Mr.. Vaughan" she said, "but I
should get dizzy"
Perhaps" said Vaughan, 'ff Miss
Murnane would
Certainly" cried Mrs. Murnane.
"Mary, my love, please Mr.. Vaughan"
Mary suddenly went white, and
Vaughan whispered, "Be bravew
81 am afraid" said the girl.
"What nonsense, Mary!' her mother
cried There's nothing to be afraid of.
Go along"
Vaughan led her to the car of the bal
loon, where none was allowed but
those employed. In few minutes the
balloon scared again, higher and high
er, and Vaughan, to Mrs. Murnane's
great astonishment, walked calmly
back to the ladies.
"Mr. Vaughan" cried the G. O.'s
wife, "what have you done with Ma
ry?"
"She's up in the balloon, of course"
"And with whom, pray, since you are
here?"
"With Lieutenant Graves. He's the
aeronaut, you know, and there's only
comfortable room for two"
Mrs. Murnane grew purple.
Bring them down, STRIP she COM
manded with the voice Of a battalion
chief. "Alone with that man! Mr..
Vaughan, you ought to have had more
sense, and Mary engaged to your
Engaged toner"
The people around had all their eyes
and ears and most of their mouths
wide open. Mrs. Murnane gasped.
"Do you deny the engagement"
"Why, my dear lady," said Vaughan
very coolly, 81 thought you were under
a misapprehension last night. Did you
not know Miss Murnane refused my
offer?'
''The disobedient- She daredw
"But you yourself told me very plain
ly to cease any attentions to your
daughter"
81? Oh, that was months agow
81 am unaware" said the lieutenant
gravely, "that anything at all has hap
pened in that time which should have
altered your mind on such a subject"
Mrs. Murnane changed from purple
to horrible yellow and gripped her
parasol like club. Miss Hubbard tit
tered audibly.
Then the indignant mother marched
rapidly over to the man in charge Of
the rope which held the balloon. Sud-
denly he began to yell.
"Leftenant - Leftenant Vaughan,
plase, yer honor, come here quick! The
ropes slippin', the balloons tuggin'!
Quick! Oh, murtherw
Mrs. Murnane charged on the man in
a fury. Vaughan followed leisurely.
They were too late. The rope slipped,
and before fair wind the balloon SAIL
ed smoothly away, the desperate lovers
waving adieu.
Mrs. Murnane did not faint. She
walked over to Lieutenant Vaughan
and shook her parasol in his face.
"Mr. Vaughan" she screeched, "do
you know my daughter is in that bal
loon with man who loves herr"
Vaughan looked longingly at the fast
disappearing balloon, and his weary
eyes were wet. He turned to Mrs.
Murnane and held out his hand to the
frantic lady.
with a man who loves her." he
said, land with a man she loves, is it
not? Be gentle, dear Mrs. Murnane.
Was it not happy accident~
The old woman in a passion of tears
flung the offered hand aside and went
home.
1t was only few hours afterward
that the major received a hysterical
telegram from Mary. 1t came from a
railroad station where Graves had
dropped the balloon: =
Forgive-married-mo entirely in control.
Had to do as she said-could not-next to your
self and to Arthur-the best most unselhsh man
in the world is Lieutenant Vaughan.
Such Is Fame.
"Where can l find Lawyer Smith ?''
asked tha Stro noar 0f tha oolorad 10 nj