The Wahpeton times. [volume] (Wahpeton, Richland County, Dakota [N.D.]) 1879-1919, 1912-02-22
Man on the
Wire

Kathleen stirred uneasily in III
big chair by the flre. A ntful wind had
blown up to disturb a calm twilight.
The girl glanced up at the clock
and stifled sigh. Her parents would
not return for another two hours and
Kathleen had begun to feel the lone.
Illness Of being in house in the coun,
TRY with only little yellow dog for
companionship.
Even Mike had grown restless at
he snoozed by the fire and Kathleen
watched his little body tremble with
inward growls as the creeking of a
door or the gentle tapping of branches
on the window disturbed his slumber.
Mike, II you were not such a nice
little yellow dog I would wish you
were Great Dane or some ferocioua
beast so that wouldn't feel 30 spooky.
Kathleen turned again to her maya.
zine but the steadily rising wind be.
gan to play havoc with her nerves and
when the telephone clashed q loud
ring she sprang from her chair in
sheer fright.
! Kathleen went to the telephone but
no answer rewarded her. The number
had not been rung, Central informed
her.
She returned to her chair but before
she had seated herself another sharp
ring startled her. Again no ono had
called the number. Kathleen spoke
with asperity to Central. {.
"The telephone certainly rang!"
Probably 1t Is the wind" came
back from Central and Kathleen hung
up the receiver. :
She went to her chair determined
not to be disturbed again.
The imperious ring did not come
but gentle. regular tinkling Of the
bell continued.
Mike still growled inwardly but
Kathleen became absorbed In her
story.
Gradually, however. she became con.
.scious that while the wind had abated
there still continued that maddening
,tlnkle Of the telephone bell.
Switching on the lights as she went
Kathleen made her way to- the back Of
the house and there her nerves again
played her false.
A low sound, much as of some ona
calling. came from the outside world.
Mike set up deafening bark.
A distinct "Hello" now came through
the window. Kathleen gathered ali
her courage and peered out. The light
from the room streamed full force onj
q mans face. "a.
who Is there?" she called out.
In semi.conscious way Kathleen's
eyes had travelled beyond the man.
and she saw. there in tho great oak.
branches. that which had once been
an airship.
n am here-just now" came In Z
weak but deep voice. n am hanging By
my-belt-when that gives out" rs'
"oh!" Kathleen had vanished from!
tho window and now with Mike close.
1T her heels she came swiftly from
tho kitchen door. =
II will get you tho step ladder!" She
called 10 the man. r.
Kathleen struggled there in tho
moonlight with the great ladder and
even in his almost tragic position,
Granger had the power to admire thel
sure, swift movement of the little fig
ure.
1t was with superhuman EFFORT
fhot ho ,oooo oaA %o cot h{s eo.k ,,..a
ed ON the ladder the girl held beneath
him. i:
When he reached the ground hei
toppled over. my breath-it's ali
most gone" He lay still for a mo-
ment and the girl bent over him. :.
I'LL be all right-in a minute-wheni
my diaphragm gets to working" Hell
sat up. "You saved my life," he saidI
and looked wonderingly into her face;
Il was out-like an idiot-for al
short moonlight sail in the air." the
man explained. ut was calm when
! started but that wind" He cast a,
rueful glance at the huge wreck I'M
the tree. II must have hung by that
leather belt for fifteen minutes. Il
could. by swinging. touch some wires"
A silvery laugh rang out. ''You Ger
tainly did touch some wires" y!
Tho man echoed her laugh and it
did not seem strange to Kathleen that
she was sitting in tho back garden
with q perfectly strange man.
1T has been an experience" 0rang.
er remarked. "but one that do not
care to try again."
II am forgetting" Kathleen said
with quick thought. "that you may be
badly in need Of"
"No, no-that is too muc!, to ask
after you have saved my life," Granger
exclaimed and arose to his feet
Kathleen was e:ltrl y Eoment. then
She looked M at I 3" G". 81 believe
II am q LITTLE afra;.7 IN 70 back in
the house-a.crt." -, ei,;6 snyly,
and the 1irc IL oc:n needs
another go. . 80.
logs and M -, ..-:i G.as,,.