The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1914-08-29

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Of the workmen were cutting the last ropes
that held the basket to earth. Ten others
were holding It with their hands awaiting
the airman.
Panatella purposely delayed the moment
huge balloon against the strength Of dossn
men gave impress to his feat, and he uke6
the state Of suspense.
But the sound from the surprised throns
called his attention now to . scene that
made him forget af{ectation and effect. He
started to run toward the basket. shouting
persmptory orders:
"Out Of the car: out Of the car instantly.
madame! You are risking your life"
His excitement infected the crowd. which
surged forward.
0urginS. It seemed to sweep with It the
rider ON the restivs horse. For. - . hand
was suddenly lifted IN the midst Of the
crowd the horse, apparently overcans the
legs braced to spring. e shot forward d.
rectly ct the balloon basket.
The hand that had been raised was the
hand Of Raymond Owen.
AL was happening 20 swiftly that neither
Harry nor Panatella reached the basket BE-
fore the maddened animal.
The crowd had given way in panic before
It. Cries Of fright were mingled with cries
Of pain ~ the beast charged straight upon
the men holding the basket telling and
crushing them with shoulder and hoof.
For IN instant = few desperate hands
held to the wrenching car. Panatella had
all but reached the platform: Harry was
within arms length Of it. when. with. .
writhing twist the bag jerked the basket
sideways and upward. knocking to the
ground the last two men who had held Il
and whirling forth into the deathly emptf
ness Of space covering, stunned CIR.
whose white face peered and white hands
pleaded over the basket rim-peered down
upon the upturned faces Of thousands who
would have risked their lives to cid. but
who stood helpless In their pity. Auohed h
fear.
Eur Of across the Aela The strange Aesss.
man had been whisked in IN instant b. Ais
vicious steed. He seemed to get onntrol for
Z moment, to stop and stare upward q the
balloon which was shooting higher and
higher on q westward course. Then he gave
rein to the beast. and it, laundering hoofs
echoed back for miles down the highway,
~ Eddie KobofR ned from the blacklist day'e
work Of his life.
For q moment Harry had stood dased.
It was az Il the twanging taut Of the ropes.
Is the bag tore almost from his grasp the
most precious being in the world. had
snapped the Abres Of action In him.
The daze passed quickly. but in the mo.
ment Of its passing the balloon. risen now
i've hundred feet in the air. had swept it,
way westward over Q mile Of ground.
Harry turned to look for his motor ear.
Standing - he WAS at the spot from which
the balloon had ascended. he now faced .
human barricade. With . shout Of warning
he charged ct what seemed to be . vulner.
able point In the files Of wedged shoulders.
The van resisted. The throng was lost
to all but the dimming view Of the balloon.
Harry swung right and left with his broad
shoulders. He tore his way through.
The car was standing where he had lefs
Il ON the outskirts Of the field. A he q.
proached Il he saw Owen emerge from the
crowd and hurry toward . runabout thao
had just bean driven upon the fsld.
whats the matter9' yslled . man in tho
machine. and Harry recognised the vo6oo
Of Hicks.
Miss Mafvin-carried away In the bal,
loon!" cried Owen in tone Of excitomeat
that was not al feisned. He Joined Hicks
beside the runabout and they talked togethag
rapidly.
Harry sprans to the saat Of his touring
car. II seemed to leap forward. He shot
past the two conspirators and heard owsais
voice calling aftsr him:
wait! Where are you goins7 IN .
with You"
you're too late." shouted Harry bitterly
over his shoulder. An envelope Of dust
sealed 1tsolf around the spinning wheels Of