The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1905-08-30

10 Hiss any part OF II.
From fiat, ShapeIesS
mass that lay inert on the ground
there gradually arose glistening
dome Of shimmering silk. enmesned in
a spiderlike web of ropes. The dome
grew and rounded steadily. It be-
came huge ball; its silken bag was
stretched smooth and taut with much
susting and many smothered excla-
nations from the onlookerS. 1t
trembled and strained like a thing
alive, and at last it foated upward
and pulled and tugged at its moor
1ings while the wicker car was adjust
led beneath it.
Meanwhile, in stufy little room
back Of the managers Office, near the
entrance gate, heavy built young
man stalked nervousy up and down,
morped his red face. and now and
again pulled out an ancient silver
watch and anXiously marked the ap-.
proach of 5. His white tie, his patent
coat with the white chrysanthemum
.n the buttonhole and his tan gloves
of an obvious newneSS, all proclaimed
the approach &C an epoch in his life.
Near the one little window in the
room sat a plump, Eleasant-faced
young woman. In one hand she held
hn ample bouquet Of white pinks; the
uther hand restlessly smoothed the
folds of her white muslin gown. Now
aud then,as she glanced up and caught
the young mans eye, she gave him
quick smile of perfect confidence.
The young man paused before her
and took one of her white-gloved
hands in his own.
you don't feel scairt, do you,
Nellie?" he asked in a grave concern.
"Not a MITE" she replied, cheer
fully.
He leaned over her and looked out
the little window. He saw the bal
oon swaying in the breeze and the sea
bf upturned faces watching it.
Il sorter wish we warn't goin' to do
ton your account, Nellie" lie said.
Look a-here, Jim she said gay
y. you needn't feel uneasy on my ac-
rcunt. I'd rather marry you hangin'
head down from trapeZe than to 60
bn the way I was, a-workin' there at
the Jones'. We couldn't get married
for years, IL this chance hadn't come
.long, an call it hyin' in tle face
bf Providence to talk about not want
In to go on, now everything's fixed"
There's an awful crowd out there"
6aid he.
HPooh! Who's afraid of crowd!'
Bhe shifted. II amt
He looked at her with admiration
plainly stamped on his face. His big
band pressed hers tenderly.
"Well, 'twon't take long" he said,
hs if bolstering a waning courage.
1t will all be over in jiffy."
She picked 4 thread off his coat and
kbsentiy wound it about her finger.
II should sorter liked to gone up to
Cousin Sereny's after twas I'LL over
$he said, little wistfIlly. shes
bein' abCut the only liyin' relation l
sot, Id like to gone up there an told
per all about IL.
"P'raps we can go, Nellie" he be-
san, but she cut him short.
NO, we can't, jim. 1t wou.0 cost
OF for two CT lis to go up there, an
we'll need ali the $500 we git out Of
his to start in With in the spring. l
lon.t know just whore t is that
Eousin Sereny lives. A.! I know is
hat it's somevheres in RiLgway
County. Well wait till after we've
rot started in Oh the farm. But I
would have made beautiful weddin'
rip, wouldn't il, JIM she ended, a
rifle rcgretfu!Iy.
Il wish We &C. ID go, for your sake"
lie said.
ooh. tain't no great matter. anyway
he declared easily. We ought to be
hankful we've got this chance to git
married and git start"
At that moment some one came
= stamping through the outer otfica The
oor was jerked open, and the man.
ger Of the fair, red-faced and pGtting
TODD before them.
81
lirectness.
The girl rose. & tride pale. and thrust
her arm through the young mans.
"All ready" said the latter quick
IL, while beads OF perspiration
prang to his forchaed.
''Come on, then" said the manager,
eading the way.
H The manager turned and caught the
kirl in his arms.
In we go" he said chaerfuily, as
be lifted = into the car.
81 The groom-to-be clamored in clumsi-
y, and the clergyman followed. his
method of eub katioU detractinS
6omewhat from his dignity. The rope
yas. unreelel from the big windlass,
Rnd as the balloon crspt upward, the