Smyrna times., 1905-12-20
From Heaven
By RUTH NORRIS
Copyright, 1905, by X. A. Whitehead

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An angel from heaven?' repeated
Jack Elder. We'll, mother, guess
when an angel from heaven drops
down this way I'll think of getting
married. Until then 1 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 swaI.
lowed him up.
Then she turned with a sigh and en-
tered the house. An inveterate match.
maker, it 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 acuuaint-
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 it was white and drawn
and his teeth were clenched
1t was hard for him to face his moth
er's persuasions 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 yacht
ing party, and there he had met Clara
Ripley. For a time it 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 a 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 it was to
grant her her hearts desire.
He made his way down to the lake
where there was little clearing, He
loved to lie on 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 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 swaying mass of black and
white. Now it struck the water; now ii
rose in the air only to fall back again
like some wounded bird.
In Il fash Jack remembered that
there was TO have been 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 cal
dipped again, and as it rose rop'
brushed past Jacks shoulder. In
stinctively he grasped it, and with ;
wrench that very nearly tore his hole
loose he was jerked into the air. Fo
a moment he clung, dizzy with excite
ment and the shock, and then with
rending sound the balloon swept down
ward. and Elder was dragged through
the branches of the trees, the twig
cutting his face and hands, thoug
they did not loosen their grip upon th
rope.
There was another upward bound
and as they rose Jack, regaining hi
wits. began to climb the rope, drawin
himself up hand over hand as the
rose i'm the air He had almost reache