Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-10-14

that would deter Hiram from. flying
that night. Under the blue sky and
sunshine 1t would not seem so dread
ful-so dangerous.
Fifteen minutes later she was return
ing from the barn Juggling at a long
rope at the end of which a small
anchor bumped over or stuck into the
ground with annoying frequency. In
the shadow of what she knew to be
the rear of the machine Ellen paused
and lifted the canvas. She surveyed
the intricate machinery with grow
ing conviction that her husband must
be deferred from making an ascension
above the ground. Suppose some part
should give way?
She had determined upon what es-
pecial rod she would tie the rope and
thus anchor Hiram to the ground until
she could by wit or vile prevail upon
him to give up the risky adventure.
when she heard. his approaching steps.
She whisked away in the shadow
of the machine just in time to receive
the mufling folds of canvas in q
cloud upon her form. She freed her
head and shoulders and crouched IN
examined the air 1ier. trying each
bolt and nut, lingering a delicate ad-
tustment here and there. his face stern
and close Tipped in the light of a small
brass lantern held in one hand.
Then he moved forward; there was
the heavy chugging of the engine, and
Ellen's heart almost stopped still. In
another instant it would be too late
to detain him-he would be out Of her
reach, beyond her touch, and he could
not hear her plea for pardon.
1t had flown above the house Ellen
darted desperately forward, CROPPED
for and found the anchor, tied the
rope hastily and clumsily to the near
est projecting rod. paused TO tie an
other hard, square knot before jam
ming the hukes on the anchor into the
\ soft turf.
With a whlrring rush the machine
started down the slope, the wheels re-
volving dlzzily. The anchor whipped
after, and somehow Ellen's hands
closed desperately about the hukes
and then she felt herself rising up
ward with terrifying velocity.
CIutching the anchor. Ellen swept
up with the machine very much like
the tail to a gigantic kite. She heard
Hiram's voice swearing vigorously.
and she felt no horror. She closed her
eyes tightly and held on. Her feet
brushed treetops once or twice, and
she knew she was above the cedar
grove. Then one foot tangled in some
NJ "a
on the anchor. With a frightened cry
she fell into the embracing arms Of
the close limbed cedars. Through an
aperture in the branches she saw the
air flier dart upward and away
through the moonlight, the anchor
dangling like a twisted thread, until
the noise of the engine died away and
all was still
Graded in the treetops, Ellen dared
not stir for fear Of falling. She was
slight woman, and she had fallen
snugly into strong branches that curv-
ed upward like the ribs Of a ship.
Her hands were torn and bleeding.
her face was scrG. tched, and her twist
ed ankle panied horribly. But above
all was the agony Of belief that her
husband had gone forth into space
and would never return.
Too wretched 10 cry aloud more
than once. she huddled. cold and stiG,
through the long hours of the night
Owls hooted unpleasantly near. whip
DoOrviIi~ th--~r,Lo7 81 the Tickets and
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