Bryan morning eagle. [volume] (Bryan, Tex.) 1898-1909, 1905-12-02
From Heaven
BY RUTH NORRIS
J Copyright. 1876. by X. A. Whitehead
BY RUTH NORRIS


when an angel from heaven drops
down this way I'll think OF getting
married. Until then ! am very well
content as am
lie 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 ~.
Then she turIAd with sigh aud en-
tered the house. An inveterate match
maker, IL was one OF the sorrows OF
Mrs. Elders life that her handsome
Young son had withstood the persua.
slons Of all the girls OF his acqualnt'
ance. lie had even assisted her In the
plans whereby she deputlzed for Gu
Did. but. perhaps. II was this familiar
ity with her methods which enabled
him 20 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 70 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 II was white and drawn
and his teeth were clenched.
Il was hard for him TO face his moth
er's persuaslons with n jest when all
the while his whole soul was bound up
I'm a woman TO whom he could not Offer
his love.
IL happened ON one OF his trips to the
shore. He had formed one of yacht
ing party. and there he had met Clara
Ripley. For a time II had seemed 10
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 TO some men II was per
mitted TO have a foretaste of heaven
Then Tom Ripley had Joined the par
Is. and for the first time he had learn
ed that she was married. The blow
had been too much FOR him, and, feiu-
ing Illness. Dee had left the yacht and
come home hcartbrokcn.
That had been a year ago, but the
wound was still fresh. and on those
long ,trolls through the woods he could
still feel her presence. could smell the
salt air above the fragrance OF the
pines. Aud his mother had declared
that he was confirmed bachelor who
would not marry an angel from heaven
were she suddenly 10 appear and make
declaration OF her love.
lie thought bitterly OF his mothers
hopes. aud tears dimmcd his eyes ~
he realized how impossible IL was 10
grant her her hearts desire.
lie made his way down TO the lake
where there was little clearing. lie
loved to lie on the soft grass and look
up at the white clouds traverslng the
summer sky, while he pictured 10 him
self how different lie would be with
Clara los his side to face the world.
So fun OF his thoughts was he that
he did not notice his dogs agitation
until with q sharp bark hc dashed To-
ward the waters edge
with "a cry bee sprang 60 his feet
over the surface of the water came
bounding q hinge bulk from which lie
pended swayiug mass OF backand
white. Now 10 struck the water; now IL
rose Ia the air only to fan back again
like some wounded bird.
In flash Jack remembered that
there was To have been "a balloon as
cension across the lake that afternoon,
and he knew that this must be b.,
though he was az a loss 10 understand
why a feminine figure should be cling
ing 10 the ropes.
Just as he ucared the shore the ear
dipped again. and rs Il rose a rope
brushed past Jacks shoulder. In
stlnctycly he graspcd 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 a
rendng sound the balloon swept down
ward. and Elder was dragged through
the branches Of the trees, the twIg'
/ 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
I again. aud now he had to endure the
/ weight Of the car as II crushed him
/ against the branches and left him well
nigh breathless. Still he chung 10 the
rope with grim persistence, and as the
] car rose once more clutchcd the wicker
I work OF the edge ana felt hand under
his shoulder assisting him over the
I side
/ For moment he lay breathles-
while the balloon made another dive
aud then with start he realized that
his companion was Clara Ripley.
One glance into her face as she bent
nnXiously over him assured him OF her
love, and the knowledge Of this fact
stimulated his faculties. The balloon
was diving again. but nc each rise the
recovery was less buoynnt, and now
they scarcely cleared the tops Of IN,
trees Just beyond was the clearing
and as they sank the balloon with d
a. a..