The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1910-03-16
Observation-Disclosures
Her LIFE SENTENCE.
By MISS EDITH MORRISON.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
The joyous song came to a sudden
end and Nora Moore stopped short in
her. morning walk, put her hands to
her head, then carefully pinched a
very. pink cheek. Having thus proved
to her satisfaction that she was quite
awake and not dreaming, she stood
for a moment staring in amazement
at the big silk gas bag, gently billow-
ing in the early morning breeze,
which as she made a sudden turn
completely blocked her way along the
path that she had been following.
q Then prompted by curiosity she
cautiously approached the PROSTATE
skycraft, and getting a nearer view
saw the willow car lying at one side
of the big car in a tangle Of cords
and rope.
Looking over the side Of the car
the first object that her eyes rested
on was a leather suit case. on one end
of which were the letters 81. N" She
recognized the lttters IS the initials
of a certain Mr.: Jack Norton whom
she expected to meet at dinner that
Il evening.
Although she had never seen him
she had heard much Of him, and
knew that he was an enthusiastic and
i skilful aeronaut. Then with a start
Il her ayes fell on what at first glance
appeared to be the lifeless body Of a.
young mai lying on the bottom OF the
basket and partially under the seat.
She unconsciously noted that he was
of medium height, dark complex
toned, we'll dressed and that his Jet
black hair fell in graceful curves over
his pale, high forehead. Upon closer
inspection she could see that he was
still breathing family.
Now Nora had just graduated as a
trained nurse from n of the big city
hospitals, and when she saw the con-
dition of the occupant she without
z hesitation climbed over the high side
ct the car and made a brief but bust
| nesslike examination Of the injured
man. Deciding that there were no
| bones broken she sat down on the
floor of the car, and taking the curly
head into her lap. applied restora-
tives from a small jewelled bottle
that she carried in her belt.
Soon the patient showed signs of
returning consciousness, and she was
just planning how to fix him up COM
fortably while she went for help when
she became aware that the great gas
= bag was moving in an alarming man
ner, and before she could scramble to
her feet the gas that had gradually
been expanding in the heat OF the rls-
ing u had lifted the balloon from
the ground, and, aided by a gentle
breeze, it was slowly drifting of
across the country
Paralyzed for a moment when she
realized what had happened, she
stood lookin:. down owe the side OF
the basket. Strangely enough she
felt no fear. She felt little motion,
but instead the fields and woods
seemed to be dropping away while
Bhe remained stationary. Under the
intoxicating effect of the rarihed air
6he forgot for the moment the cir
cumstances which had brought her
here. and was actually enjoying the
howell experience when a motion at
her feet called her wandering mind
back to more prosaic paths.
W Her efforts, aided by the pure, ex-
ilarating air, had done their work,
nd she saw gazing up at her a pair
very dark brown eyes full of ques-
oning surprise, and perhaps 1t was
Ter imagination, she could not help
hut feel that they also showed some
hing of the fear of the hunted ami
al. Nora helped the man up to the
arrow seat and then rapidly ex-
aimed 20 him the discovery of the
lien balloon, with him as an un-
nscious passenger in the bottom OF
e basket.
"And now, Mr.. Norton she said,
she finished her information, iii
u will kindly take me back / will
ntinue my walk"
ooh, l saw your initials on your
tease" she continued, in answer
his look Of surprise.
He had listened to her attentivel!
lille she was talking, and she fan
that the look of fear had changed
one of concealed amusement.
The man said little, devoting hi:
ole attention to plotting the big
ship. BY a careful tightening O
last the balloon gradually sailed
kher and higher, until it fnall!
[ched a current that carried then
Tx in the direction from which the!
come, and in a short time tn
loon dropped lightly to the grount
the very field from which it hat
ted.
AS the car touched the grount
IA sprang out. but on turninE