Condon globe. (Condon, Gilliam Co., Or.) 189?-1919, 1918-12-13
CAPTIvE BALLOON
BY EDNA PRICE WALLER,
lcOpyrlsat. isis, wsstsra Nswspapsr Uaioa


my dead cousins daughter, Winnie,
since she was ten. I've seen to her
education, She's a smart giri. though
sometimes willful. l want TO see her
start In life right
Josiah Leggett's neighbor smiled So
cretly. lie knew, as did all the town. the
old schemer handled small income
that came to Winnie. and undoubtedly
benefited by the same. Furthermore.
Winnie was an apt little housekeeper.
II have tried TO bring Winnie and
the clerk IN my brothers store. Lem
Dysart, together, because he Is a saw
Ing, respectable young fellow. Winnie
has had a notion about Rodney Blake.
I've nlpped his young affections Ia the
bud.
Blake is pretty fine young man,
all the same" observed the nelghhor.
aud the speaker went his way mental
ly comparing young Blake with the
carrotty.headed, underSlEed Lem ny
sart. Meantime. Winnie was going
through Il vivid ordeal. Her guardian
watched her as cat does n mouse,
He had refused 10 allow Blake to cali
at the house. and nysart was fire.
quent visitor. She desplsed the latter
us much as she admired the manly OBJ
ject of her choice. They met, but. un.
der difficulties.
Its got to end" Rodney declared
forclbly. "You are old enough TO know
your own mind and act upon 1t. Let
us make bold dash and end this
wretched persecution"
''oh, Rodney! You don't mean TO
elopef" gasped Winnie.
why not? They are driving us to
that as the only outcome, aren't theyr
1--WE are watched so closely. See,
Rodney. there is Mr. Leggett. now. He
will see US" but Rodney slipped past
a hedge with the hurried parting
words:
BE sure to see me tomorrow. ]
have plan want TO tell you about"
The plan was the outcome OF
suggestion made by an old boyhood
friend Of Rodney. one Bob West. They
had not met for Ave years until the
day previous, when Rodney had come
across West on the street. They had
a pleasant chat, and West divulged
the fact that he was advance agent OF
a circus which was to pitch Its tent
at the edge of the town Saturday.
Rodney told him what he had on his
mind; Winnie, always Winnie. and
West showed a sympathetic interest.
"Why, say" he remarked with
friendly ardor, u can help you out in
big way--the balloon"
81 don't quite understand" said Rod.
ney vaguely.
I'VE have one. II goes up thou.
sand feet every afternoon. We adyer.
tise to give fifty dollars to any couple
who will make the ascent with cler.
gyman and consent to be married way
up in the clouds"
Rodney left his ingenious friend.
filled with suppressed excitement He
managed to get lengthy note to Win.
ME. He was around the circus before
the Saturday afternoon performance.
Winnie had induced her guardian to
allow her to attend the entertainment.
The latter, however. insisted that he
accompany her.
Here's your ticket" he said; 're-
served seat near the band stand. I've
invited Lem, and as soon as he ar
rives we'll come in and make regu.
lar family group--he he"
And then he strolled about, and Win.
ME disappeared past the ticket taker,
but as soon as her guardian was out
Of sight. darted out again, and two
which the giant balloon was swaying.
Inside was Rodney, and she fluttered
to his side and was introduced to
West, and the man in charge of the
balloon.
Don't get scared. little one" spoke
the latter, good'natured, fatherly
looking man. Everything Is arranged
to a T. Now, then, Mr.. Blake. Just
tog up In that false beard and wig.
And you, young lady, cover your pretty
face with this flowing bridal veil.
When speak the word come out
quickly, and hustle into the balloon
basket before anybody recognizes
you"
Josiah Leggett spent half an hour
looking for Dysart. He came across
him, with several hundred others, star
ing aloft at the balloon, which was de-
scendIng from It's aerial ascent
II say, why wasn't you on timer
censured Josiah. Here Winnie has
been inside the tent half an hour.
Come on in, or they'll fll up our
seats"
Just minute," spoke Dysart, con-
tinuing to cape al0ft. "ThIs is lots Of
fun. Let's have glimpse Of the happy
couple when they allght."
The wedding party was being borne
gracefully to the ground. There was
the man engineering the balloon. The
bridegroom had removed his false
beard and wig and was smiling into