Montour American. (Danville, Pa.) 1866-1920, 1905-11-30
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From Heaven
BY RUTH NORRIS
Copyright, 1903, by X. A. Whitehead 9
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down this way III think Of getting
married Until then I am very well
content as l am"
! He snatched up his hat and, whis-
Ting 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-
J tered the house An inveterate match
| maker, 1t was one Of the sorrows of
| Mrs. Elders life that her handsome
| young son had withstood the persua-
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, it was this familiar
| ity with her methods which enabled
him to escape SO 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, and she was In despair.
Had she seen his face as he strobe
through the brush she would have been
surprised, for 1t was white and drawn
and his teeth were clenched.
1t was hard for him to face his moth
er's persuasons with a jest when all
the while his whole soul was bound up
in a woman to whom he could not offer
his love.
1t happened ON one of his trips to the
shore He had formed one of a yacht
ing party, and there he had met Clara
Ripley For a time 1t 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
it was that to some men it was per-
mitted to have foretaste of heaven.
Then Tom Ripley had Joined the par
ty, and for the first time he had learn
ed that she was married. The blow
had been too much for him, and, feign-
ing illness, he had left the yacht and
come home heartbroken.
That had been year ago, but the
wound was still fresh, and on those
long strolls 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 confirmed bachelor who
would not marry an angel from heaven
were she suddenly to appear and make
declaration of her love.
He thought bitterly Of his mothers
hopes, and tears dimmed his eyes as
he realized how impossible 1t was to
grant her her hearts desire.
He made his way down to the lake
where there was a little clearing. He
loved to lie Oh the soft grass and look
up at the white clouds traverslng the
summer sky, while he pictured to him
self how different life would be with
Clara by his side to face the world.
So full of his thoughts was he that
he did not notice his dogs agitation
until with a sharp bark he dashed to-
ward the waters edge.
With a cry he sprang to his feet.
Over the surface Of the water came
bounding a huge bulk from which de-
pended a swayinE mass Of black and
white. Now 1t struck the water; now II
rose In the air only to fall back again
like some wounded bird.
In u fash Jack remembered that
there was to have been a balloon as
cenSion across the lake that afternoon,
and he knew that this must be II,
though he was at loss to understand
why a feminine figure should be cling
Ing to the ropes.
Just as he neared the shore the car
dipped again, and as 1t rose u rope
brushed past Jacks shoulder. In
stinctively he grasped 1t, and with q
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 Il
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 TO 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 to endure the
weight of the car as 1t crushed him
against the branches and left him well
nigh breathless 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 a 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 at each rise the
recovery was less buoyant and now
they scarcely cleared the tops Of the
trees. Ju-l beyond was the clearing,
and as they sank the balloon with a
beneath It's huge bulk. In some way
the valve rope had become entangled
with Jacks arm as he fell into the
car and the gas was rushing out Of
the neck OF the tube and adding to
their discomfort.
With a desperate energy, he worked
his way over the side Of the car, drag
ging his companion after him. Just as
1t seemed b. must ... Up, a puff Of
fresh I'll. tu LIS u9strils, and
with ono Ia, q, q, hr dragged Clara
from bone. 90. mroIiug cloth
WheI cou-r.s, mes, came again she
was chatiu- his .lud in hers while the
tears strcag.nI own her face. AS he
opened his eyes she gave a little cry