Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1910-11-15

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 muffling folds Of canvas In a
cloud upon her form. She freed her
head and shoulders and crouched un-
seen by her husband. Carefully he
examined the air fier, trying each
bolt and nut. lingering delicate ad'
justment here and there, his face stern
and close Tipped in the light Of 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 1t 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, groped
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 flukes on the anchor into the
soft turf.
With a whirring 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 tlukes,
and then she felt herself rising up-
ward with terrifying velocity.
Clutching the anchor. Ellen swept
up with the machine very much like
the tail to gigantic kite. She heard
Hlram'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 20 81
crooked branch. and she lost her hold
on the anchor. With frightened cry
she fell into the embracing arms OF
the close limbed cedars. Through mn
aperture in the branches she saw the
air fier dart upward and away
through the moonlight, the anch"r
dangling like Il 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 curry
ed upward like the ribs of ship
Her hands were torn and bleeding
her face was ser; tched. and her twist
ed ankle panied horribly. But above
all was the agony OF belief that her
husband had gone forth into spac"
and would never return.
Too wretched TO cry aloud more
than once, she huddled cold and stiff.
through the long hours Of the night.
Owls hooted unpleasantly near, whip
poorwills throbbed In the thickets, and
all around were the sleepy twitter OF
birds and the soft brush Of wind In
the trees.
She must have fallen asleep, for the
sound of her name called In Hiram's
stentorian tones awakened her to pale
daylight. There was anxious terror In
his voice.
Here | am" she called feebly, and
then louder, until ut last he came won
deringly to her rescue. 1t was not
until they were within the house and
she had sobbed out her wretchedncsS
on his breast that Hiram spoke sooth-
ingly.
"Do you know what you did. Ellen
Butler?" he asked. 81 was in doubt
about making successful Hight. Du!
| didn't know what was the matter
with the machine. That thcr" an"hor
was the additional weight that bai
anccd her perfectly. Whatever saved
il from catching in the trees | don't
know. Ii was Il clear case OF Provl'
dence all through. guess. for you had
narrow escape. That there anchor
sold the machine. Ellen. for without
il | couldn't have got to Budauets.
AS II Is. it's sold for enough 10 raise
the mortgage and make us pretty in
dependent besides" He yawned sleep
fly and stretched himself
ITS done more than that, Hiram,'
said Ellen gently the tears shining In
her penitent eyes.
whats thatT" he asked. And then.
looking down into her upturned face.
he kissed her and smiling whimsicaliy,
answered his own query. Settled the
first and last quarrel we ever had.
ehT'
Ellen nodded assenrHN And shows
that even the tail Of kite may be
useful" She shuddered little ut the
recollection of her perilous flight, and
Hiram paled suddenly as he stopped
toward her. And then in the moment
Of reconciliation they forgot the white
butterfly and the fortune 1t had made