Washington State journal and Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1906-1907, 1907-05-08


the Methodist church"
II don't see how that will help any,
she protested. I'VE have no airship.'
"But I've hired this" he explained
Instead Of sailing around the church
we will sail past your house and take
you on board. l guess your father
won't catch us this time"
do you think it will be safer" she
pleaded.
Absolutely safe" was the assur
ance. "The man says he has gone III
hundred times"
LETS try it." she said excitedly. III
will be such fun! But won't it cost 4
lot of money!"
"Don't you think you're worth it,?
he countered as he bent over her. 81
do if you don't"
There was little more talk before
they separated. and when at last she
turned toward her home it was with q
feeling Of happiness she had not ex-
perienced in weeks. She did not fee
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.
A couple of weeks later car was
backed up the siding that ran into. the
county fair grounds, and some mysterf
GUS packages were unloaded and taken
into the Agricultural hall.
The next night the few persons who
were abroad after midnight were sur.
prised to see a huge white bulk float.
ing ir the air Some fed, some stared
but none guessed what it was.
Marion. looking from her window
saw it approaching in the moonligh,
and watched the aeronaut as he ma
neuvered for a favorable approach
Presently the machine settled down
At its approach the watchdog fie.,
and hid trembling under the barn, 9 d.
that no sound save the soft purring cf
the motor broke the stiffness as thu,
bag brushed against the house.
1t was not an easy matter to ge.
Marion into the car but at last shs
grasped Jim's hands and swhng out
clear of the sill. Then he drew her
up into the car. and with soft flutter
the blunt nose of the gas bag was
pointed toward the moon
They rose hundred feet. and thec
through the still night air they heade.
for across the river. There was n.
ferry or bridge nearer than Calrsville
five miles downstream, and even shopi,
her father be aroused by the noise h.,
could not head them off in time. AS +.
happened there was no sound to arouse
mis- suspicious, and an hour later they
had crossed the water and were stand
ing in the parsonage of the little
church while the surprised minister
read the marriage service. Then they
climbed into the caS 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."s
Don't you thluk," she smiled back
that all newly married people are VI
in the clouds?"
"Thats because they are so near par
adisc," he explained. 81 feel us if IT,
had sailed right through the blue
vault"
1--WE must come back to earth" sha
said practically. Il wonder what IT,
Their will say"
we shall know in about half 'q
ho11r" hn Inu0hp1 II am noin9 boc.
to convince him that you did not brca
your oath"
George Halpin was Just going towar1
the barn in the first early light wheu
he paused, awcstricken, to regard tee
shape approaching. When it descend
ed close to him and he saw Jim AM
Marion in the ear he grasped the SIT
uation.
Il promised not to elope on land Ci
water. father" explained Marion, with
Il nervous little laugh, as she stepped
from the car. You see, | kept my
word"
For moment the Old anger tlared
up, then died out again. Il guess" she
said slowly, that If Jim Warner is as
hard up as all that for Il wife he car
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."