The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1915-02-09

He paused only once in his frantic
labor. That was when he rushed back
to the edge Of the cliff and looked over
and called again-in vain.
He fastened the chain at the end OK
his strange line to a sagling growing
some ten feet back of the verge. with
throb Of relief Ia his heart he saw
the other end drop to within few
feet of the unconscious girl.
He tested the strength Of the cable
by pulling on it with oil his strength.
1t did not give. He put himself over
the cliffside and began the descent.
Owen and Hicks had not only lost
the balloon, but had lost Harry too.
They could follow him only ny the
deep cut tracks of his flying car, and
these we're as likely to be over marshes
and fields as on the highway.
More than once Hicks urged that
they turn back.
"We can't do no good,' he argued.
'If they amt dead they ain't-thats
ALL"
I've got to be sure, mutterad Owen.
More than once on the road he had re-
sorted to his stimulating drug to grip
for moment or two bis flutterins
nerves. OWel was afraid.
The little runabout had hard fight
to climb the cliff that Harry's big car
had taken so easily. But as they came
through the grove into view of the
balloon and the empty basket the two
felt amply rewarded for their woi'-
Try and trouble and toll
, by George, it HAS happened. It's
.InnAINfD ~ In ortict ~
ing on a finished masterpiece, no con-
queror thanking the fates for victory
; could have spoken with more triumph
ant fervor.
But Hicks was out of the machine
and running to Harry's car. He saw
the shreds of the blankets; he saw the
knife; finally he caught a glimpse OF
the chain that was fastened to the sap
> ling. fF e
! Don't be too sure" grumbled Hicks
Come on-but come quiet"
: He got down on his hands and knee.
: and crawled to the edge Of the cliff
! fOwen followed him. Together they
. drew back with gasps Of surprise ant
anger.
:, Hicks sprang to his feet. His big
= bladed knife flashed in his hand. HI
:, sawed excitedly at the small chain
A low curse escaped him as the blad
. bent on the links.
Owen dashed to Harry's auto. ii
= was back with a pair OF heavy pliers
In flash he had cut the chain. Tn
:. end OF 1t shot over the cliff. There wa
- a startled cry from below. 1t wa
several minutes before Hicks and Ow
: en- looked down again.
70 The man they thought they had jus
killed and the girl whom they ha
% marked to die stood on the ledge !
each others arms, oblivious Of life O
death or foe or friend, of everythin
but love.
ID Pauline was still aquiver with tn
IN shock of her waking. A cry ringin
,e above her had brought he from he
lie swoon and she looked up to see tn
It, terrible balloon still Keeling over ne
IN and to find Harry dangling from tt
j. end of rope not ten feet away.
er She arose weakly and stretched OF
her arms to him.
lg BE still; don't move, dear
ed Ecalled softly. You can help me. 70,
IT, There was a sudden swapping sour
he from over the top of the cliff III
h. chain end of the line fell upon h
of shoulders. He dropped joltingly
IT. the ledge and lunged forward towa
In a further fall. It was the soft arm
ay Of Pauline that caught and held hi
Both trembling a little as their IL
he met.
ad From overhead came the sound Of
ny starting automobile. Harry shout
at the top Of his voice. There was ]
he answer. He stopped quickly and pic
he ed up the severed end OF the life lin
,se Look; it wasn't broken; it W
ms cut" he cried. Good heaven, Pol
who is it that hates US like that?'
w. For answer she merely nestled nea
ID err in his protecting arms.
ed They sat down on the ledge, a.
ng Harry's keen eyes watched the ia
trums of the balloon in the wind
err was pulling fierce toward the riv
to now; but the anchor held fast.
Suddenly Harry sprung up. PAUL.
i started to follow his example, but
on motioned her to stay where she wi
Of In his hand cleaned the revolver tn
Up he had carried ever since the battle
or Baskinellis den.
who is it," whispered Pauline. c
led you see some one?"
NE He raised the revolver in the a
Id took aim and fired.
The balloon rope at his feet sudder
ge Stacked and he caught at its saggi
Ing loop to save the anchor from loose
IN ing.
He fired twice again at the balo
She bag, and Pauline, clinging to
asst shoulder saw the monster that h
,ok held her slave to its elemental pc
ag- err. that, like some winged gorgon h
k. held her captive in the labyrinth
lge air. crumple and wither and fall
CHI the prick OF q bullet; saw 1t collar
She into a mass of tangled leather a
md rope and slide in final ruin down
wn. smooth cliff.
rhe Pauline looked at Harry with
ade whimsical smile that she could
ion suppress even en- the dizzy heights
J. danger.
iri- did you really think l would
ing away again?" she asked.
~