The citizen. (Frederick City, Md.) 1895-1923, 1906-12-07

4 hundred times.
Lets try it," she said eXcitedly. 1T
viii lie such fur. But won't it cost a
lot of money!"
"Don'J YOU think you're worth it?''
be cnunterrd as he bent over her. 81
do If you don't
There was 4 little more talk before
they separated. and when at last she
turned toward her home it was with a
feeling of happiness she had not ex-
perienced in weeks. She did not feel
bound by the promise except that she
had pledged her oath. She had not
sworn that she would not elope
through the air. and she saw in this
her opportunity.
\ couple Of weeks later a car was
backed m the siding that ran into the
county fair grounds. and some mysteri
Gus packages were unloaded and taken
into the Agricultural hall
The next night the few persons who
were Abroad after midnight We're sur
prised t. see a huge white bulk float
ing in TIE air. Some fed. some stared,
but none guessed what it was
Marion. looking from her window,
saw it approaching in the moonlight
and watched the aeronaut as he ma
neuvercd for Il favorable approach.
Presently the machine settled down.
At its approach the watchdog fed
and hid trembling under the barn. so
that no sound save the soft purring of
the motor broke tie stiffness as the
bag brushed against the house.
1t was not an easy matter to get
Marion into the car, but ut last she
graspel Jims hands and swung ont
clear Of the sill Then he drew her
up into the car, AMI with a soft hutter
the blunt nore Of the gas bag was
pointed toward the noon
They rose Il hundred feet. and then
through the still night air they headed
for across the river. There was no
ferry or bridge nearer than CarrSvlle
FIVE miles downstream. and even should
her father lie aroused by the noise he
could not head them off in time. AS it
happened there was no sound to arouse
his suspicious, and an hour later they
had crossed the water and were stand
ing in the parsonage of the little
church while the surprised miniSte"
read the marriage service Then they
climbed into the car again. and the
airShip rose into the sky.
Its an odd wedding journey" he
laughed as the great gas bag rose. Il
guess this is the first elopement by
airship."
Don't you think" she smiled back.
that all newly married people are up
in the clouds?"
That's because they are 50 near par
adisc,' he explained. Il feel as if we
had sailed right through the blue
vault"
I'VE must come back to earth" she
said practically. Il wonder what IA
Their will say"
I'VE Shall know in about half an
hour" he laughed. Il am going back
TO convince him that you did not break
your oath"
George EIalpin was just going toward
the barn in the first early light when
he paused, aWcStricken, to regard the
shape approaching. When it descend
ed close to him and he saw Jim ana
Marion in the car he grasped the sit
uation.
Il promised not to clope on land o.
water, father" explained Marion, with
nervous little laugh, as she stepped
from the car. You see, kept my
word"
For moment the old anger flare |
up, then died out again. Il guess" she
said slowly, that if Jim Warner is as
hard UP as all that for wife he can
have you. You'd better run in the
house and tell mother to come out and
have look at this invention. It's got
me dumfounded."