Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1910-10-12
DAILY SHORT STORIES

easiueSs or mind. Ellen stole softly
through the garden into the great mas.
ture. which was flooded with pa;c
moonshine. Tall. black shadowy ce-
dars were grouped about the southern
boundary. and now they were dew wet
and smelled family aromatic.
Ellen approached the machine, which
lay shrouded i'm its canvas blanket. and
its very bigness suddenly attacked her
with terror OF the prospective journey
and the danger that menaced her h,is.
band. She wrung her hands nervous.
ly, striving to think of some method
that would deter Hiram from dying
that night, Under the blue sky and
sunshine II 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 n small
anchor bumped over or stuck into tho
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 a 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 10 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 I'm time to receives
the muiiIing folds of canvas I'm n
cloud upon her form. She freed her
head and shoulders and crouchcd un
seen by her husband. Carefully he
examined the air 1ier. trying each
bolt and nut. lingering delicate MI.
justment here and there. his face stcrI.
and close Tipped In the light OF q small
brass lantern held In one hand
I@tThen he moved forward: there was
the heavy chugging OF the engine. and
iEllen's heart almost stopped sun In
another instant IL would bc too late
| 10 detain him-he would be out of her
reach, beyond her touch. and he could
not hear her plea for pardon.
IL had flown above the house. Ellen
dartcd desperately forward groped
Tor and found the anchor tied the
rope hastily and clumsily to the near.
est projecting rod. paused to tic an
other hard. square knot before Jam
ming the fiukes on the anchor into the
soft turf
With whirring rush the machine
started down the slope, the wheels re-
volving dlzzily. The anchor whipped
after and somehow Enens hands
closed desperately about the nukes.
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 IA gigantic kite. She heard
liiram'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 I'm some
| 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 an
aperture in the branches she saw the
air nier dart upward and away
through the moonlight. the anchor
dangling like n twisted thread, until
the noise OF the engine died away and
all was still
Cradled 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
cd upward like the ribs Of shin
Her hands were torn and bleeding
her face was scrr tched, and her twist.
ed ankle panied horribly But above
oil was the agony OF belief that her
husband had gone forth into space
ana would never return.
Too wretched to cry aloud more
than once. she huddled, cold and stlff.
through the long hours Of the night
Owls hooted unpleasantly near whip
poOrwills throbbed I'm the thickets. and
NIL around were the sleepy twitter OF
birds and the soft brush OF wind I'm
fIIe trees
She must have fallen ASLEEP. FOR the
sound of her name called I'm uirnm's
1entorinn tones awakened her 10 pale
daylight There was anxious terror In
lis voice.
Here I am" she called fccbly. ana
thep louder. until at last he came Won
deTngly TO her rescue. IL was not
unHl they were within the house ana
SIC bud sobbod out her wrctchcdncss
on lis breast that Hiram spoke sooth-
ingly
DO YOU know what you I'D Ellen
Butlcr| hr asked 81 was in doubt
about making a successful eight. but
didn't know what was the matter
With the machine That There anchor
was thc additional weight that bal
Wnccd her perfectly. Whatever saved
it from catching in the uces don't