The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1906-03-22


the opportunity of presenting also the
photographic record. With instructions
to turn it over 20 me.
When had purchased new phono-
graph. found that Lois message con-
tanned but one short sentence:
I'VE are going to Leighton she told
me.
1t was the last Cay of June when my
train reached Leighton. Rain was fall.
ing in perfect torrents. and the Mis-
souri, River already looked ugly and
swollen. Housed in comfortable
hotel. with four reproductions of Lois
cheering talks, watched the rain pour
down day by day. The weather was
at one with my mood. for try as
might. I could find no new record from
the girl.
Bit by bit the river rose. Shanties
and lighthouses on the banks of the
Missouri were caught in the mad swirl
and swept down stream. But still the
water crept higher and higher.
And then one night the railroad
bridge trembled and finally gave way.
cutting off all connection with the
country beyond.
The morning Of the Fourth Of July
dawned clear. For the first time
strolled about the town, at loss as to
my further actions. The postoffice
caught my eye, and half jokingly. ]
asked for mail. was given phono-
graphic record!
Dear Frank" said Lois voice. when
I had fitted the record on the cylinder
Of my machine. Il think there is a
chance to overtake us. We go from
here to Berryville. just across the river.
where Aunt Sarah says we shall stay
for several days. I mail this because
Aunt Rebecca has become suspicious
of the phonograph. I saw her talking
with the hotel clerk. and I am sure she
was warning him not to give. anything
to you should you be following us. I
somehow believe you will receive this
record. Come quickly"
Within a mile or two of Lois and
for four days making no effort to reach
her! I cursed my stupidity in not ask
ing for mail before. I sprang up.
ready to renew my search. Then l
dropped back to my seat.
Between Lois and me rolled the Mis-
souri, River, unbridged and swollen in
a mighty food. I could never cross.
I telegraphed north, south: up the
river. down the river. Everywhere 1t
was the same. Bridges were gone and
no boat dared venture up the river.
At the moment when was about to
give up hope a thought, Of surety
heaven born. came to my rescue.
A brisk wind blew straight across
the river. Why not hire the aeronaut
who was to make balloon ascension
at the Fourth Of July celebration to
allow me to accompany him? Without
question the wind would carry US safe
" across the river.
The aeronaut was stubbornly mer-
cenary. Dollar by dollar I raised my
bid, till his great black eyes grew
narrow in greedy anticipation. At last
we agreed on a price.
It was not until we had shot up into
the air with the speed Of bullet that
he explained that it would be impossi-
BILE to land at Berryville; it was too
close to the river.
So we sailed over it. I do not know
whether the man was new at the bus1-
ness or whether the balloon acted
badly, but we drifted on and on with
the wind. never once fitting earthward,
till was frantic. Just at sunset we
landed, with a terrible thump, in a
field something more than fifty miles
from Berryville. should be forced
to go back to that town to pick up the
thread Of the trail.
Cold, dirty, discouraged. trudged
along by the side Of my companion to-
ward a town near at hand. We came
to it after a scramble over fields and
through woods, and at once made for
the hotel. There, sitting in front OF
the house, deliciously lonely, was Lois!
Later we bearded the lions.
Young man." said Aunt Rebecca,
looking severely at me over her spec
tacles, "you are prevaricating."
Eyes, indeed" chimed in Aunt Sarah.
"Lois has not been out of our sight
twenty minutes. You are prevaricat-
ing"
Il am telling you the TRUTH" I de-
clared. with my arm thrown protect
ingly about Lois.
1.-The proofw demanded Aunt Re-
becca.
"The proof" echoed Aunt Sarah.
ut is here" 1 proclaimed dramatic
ally.
1 started the wheels Of the phono-
graph and placed on the cylinder the
sixth record had given to Lois. From
the horn, slowly and solemnly. came
the voice of the dear old minister who
had married US:
81 pronounce you husband and wife"
milwaukee Sentinel.
Hunger In the Polar Regions.
Hunger is one of the trials that e1-
H.