Democratic messenger., 1905-11-18
From Heaven
BY RUTH NORRIS
Copy right. ian. by X. A. Whitehead (
by RUTH NORRIS
Observation-Disclosures,

an HnSti lIOln heaven. Fcl'ehteu
Jack Elder. We'll. mother. guess
when an angel from heaven drops
down this way Ill think of getting
married Until then | am very well
content rs | am
lie snatclicd up his hat and. whis-
tlng to his dog. strobe across the fields
while his mother stood in the doorway
and watched him until the woods swal-
lowed him up.
Then she turned with sigh and en-
tered the house An lnveterate match
maker. II was one of the sorrows OF
Mrs. Elders life that her handsome
young son had withstood the pcrsua-
sions of all the girls of his acquaint-
ance. He had even assisted her In the
plans whereby she deputized for Gu
pid, but. perhaps. II was this familiar
ity with her methods which enabled
him TO escape 80 easily from the snares
she set for him
Had he shown an Interest In any one
she would have felt some hope. but not
one of the girls she knew had been
able to arouse other than his friendly
interest. ana she was In despair.
Had She seen his face as he strobe
through the brush she would have been
surprised. for II was white and drawn
aud his teeth were clenched.
1t was hard Tor him to face his moth
er's pcrsuasions with Il jest when all
the while his whole soul was bound up
in II woman TO whom he could not offer
his love.
Ii happened on one of his trips to the
shore. lie had formed one of Il yacht
ing party. and there he had met Clara
Ripley. For time il had seemed to
him that there was the woman for
whom he had been destined. and
through the long summer evenings he
had sat by her side and wondered how
IL WAS that 10 some men il was per-
mitted 10 have IL foretaste of heaven.
Then Tom Ripley had Joined the par
ty. and for the first time he had learn
cd that she was married. The blow
had been too much for him. and, feign-
ing illncsS he had left the yacht and
come home hcartbroken.
That had been year ago. but the
wound was still fresh. and on those
long strols through the woods he could
still feel her presence. could smell the
salt air above the fragrance of the
pines. And his mother had declared
that he was Il confirmed bachelor who
would not marry an angel from heaven
were she suddenly 10 appear and make
declaration of her love.
He thought bitterly of his mothers
hopes. and tears dimmcd his eyes rs
he realized how impossible II was to
grant her her hearts desire.
lie made his way down TO the lake
where there was Il little clearing. He
loved 10 lie Oh the soft grass and look
up at the white clouds traversing the
summer sky. while he pictured TO him
self how different life would be with
Clara 10y his side to face the world.
So full OF his thoughts was he that
he did not notice his dogs agitation
until with sharp bark he dashed to-
ward the waters edge
With Il cry he sprang TO his feet.
Over the surface of the water came
bounding huge bulk from which de-
pended swaylng mass of black and
white. Now il struck the water: now II
rose in the air only to fall back again
like some wounded bird.
In flash Jack remembered that
there was 10 have been balloon as
cension across the lake that afternoon,
and he knew that this must be IL.
though he was ut loss TO understand
why feminine figure should be cling
ing to the ropes.
Just as he ncnred the shore the car
dipped again. and as II rose Il rope
brushed past Jacks shoulder. In
stinctively he grasped IL. and with a
wrench that very nearly tore his hold
loose he was jerked into the air. For
a moment he clung. dizzy with excite
ment and the shock. and then with a
rending sound the balloon swept down
ward. and Elder was dragged through
the branches of the trees. the twlgs
cutting his face and hands. though
they did not loosen their grip upon the
rope.
There was another upward bound.
and as they rose Jack. regaining his
wits. began 10 climb the rope. drawing
himself up hand over hand as they
rose In the air He had almost reached
the car when they struck the trees
again. and now he had 10 endure the
weight of the ear as il crushed him
against the branches and left him well
nigh brcathcsS Still he clung To the
rope with grim persistence. and as the
car rose once more clutched the wicker
work Of the edge and felt hand under
his shoulder assisting him over the
side.
For moment he lay breathless
while the balloon made another dive.
and then with a start he realized that
his companion was Clara Ripley.
One glance into her face as she bent
anxiously over him assured him Of her
love. and the knowledge Of this fact
stimulated his faculties The balloon
was diving again. but M each rise the
recovery was lcss buoyant. and now