The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-07-13
An Up-to-Date Romance.
CONTINUED FROM FIRST PAGE

to 90 ahead. The trail had barely
slackened speed
1t was time for prompt and vigorous
action. Grasping the bell cord once
more pulled it sharply, and then, before
the official with the ticket punch could
time the train came to full stop.
When dropped off the rear platform
and started back up the track l dare say
left a car full of astonished people. |
know left disappearing conductor and
the i'll wishes OF a crew whose train had
been delayed two precious minutes. But
what does man care for hades when he
is chasing heaven?
There is no need of detailing the steps
hy which traced the record in Rugby.
The station master pointed out the cab
cl:rk Lois had evidently been given the
key of thu room to deliver when they
went, and taken the opportunity of pre-
senting also the photographic record,
with instructions to turn it over to me.
When l had purchased new phono-
graph, found that Lois message con-
tanned but one short sentence:
I'VE are going to Leighton" she told
me.
It was the last day of June when my
train reached Leighton. Rain was fall
o,,l > ~,
river already looked ugly and swollen.
Housed in a 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, 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 be.
yond.
The morning of the Fourth of July
dawned clear. For the first time stroll
ed about town, at a loss as to my further
actions. The postofiice caught my eye,
and half jokingly, l asked for mail. l
was given photographic record!
Dear Frank" said Lois voice. when
had fitted the record on the cylinder OF
my machine, II think there is chance
to overtake US. We go from here to
Berryyiile, just across the river, where
Aunt Sarah says we shall stay for several
days. | mail this because Aunt Rebecca
has become suspicious of the phonograph.
saw her talking with the hotel clerk,
and am sure she was warning him not
TO give anything to you should you be
following us. | somehow believe you
will receive this record. Come quickly. y
Within a mile or two of Lois and for
four days making no effort to reach her
l cursed my stupidity in not asking for
mail before. l sprang up, ready to re.
new my search. Then dropped back to
my seat.
Between Lois and me rolled the Mis-.
souri, river, unbridged and swollen In a
mighty flood. l could never cross.
| telegraphed north, south; up the river
down the river. Every where it was the
same. Bridges were gone and no boat
dared venture up the river.
At the moment when l was about to
give up hope 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 safely across
the river.
The aeronaut was stubbornly mer-
ccnary. Dollar by dollar | raised my
bid, till his great black eyes grew narrow
in greedy anticipation. At last we
agreed on price.
1t was not until we had shot up into
the air with the speed of bullet that he
explained that it would be impossible to
land at Berryville it was too close to
the river
So we sailed over it. | do not know
whether the man was new at the bust
ness or whether the balloon acted badly,
but we drifted on and on with the wind,
never once fitting eastward, till was
frantic. Just at sunset we landed, with
a terrible thump, in 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
1t after scramble over fields and through
woods, and at once made for the hotel
There, sitting i'll front of the house, de-
liciously lonely, was Lois!
Later we bearded the lions
Young man, said Aunt Rebecca. look
ing severely at me over her spectacIes,
you are prevaricating.
Yes, indeed, chtmed IN Aunt SarC1
Lois has not been out of our sight
twenty minutes. You are prevaricat-
ing"
81 am telling you the truth" declared.
with MY arm thrown protectiugly about
Lois.
The proof" demanded Aunt Rebecca.
The proof" echoed Aunt Sarah"
at is here" proclaimed dramatically.
l started the wheels of the photograph
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. "