The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1918-10-04
CAPTIVE BALLOON
Dy EDNA PRICE WALLER.
Love will find a way, Josiah. !"

49,
my dead cousins daughter, Winnie
since she was ten. I've seen to hel
education. She's a smart girl, though
sometimes will}ul. want to see hel
!. start In life right"
Josiah Leggett's neighbor smiled Sc
cretly. He knew, as did all the town, the
J old schemer handled a small income
that came to Winnie, and undoubtedly
benefited by the same. Furthermore,
Winnie was an apt little housekeeper.
i II have tried to bring Winnie and
the clerk in my brothers store, Lem
Dysart, together, because he is saw
Ing, respectable young fellow. Winnie
has had notion about Rodney Blake.
I've nipped his young affections in the
bud.
"Blake is a pretty fine young man,
all the same" observed the neighbor,
and the speaker went his way mental
| ly comparing young Blake with the
| carrotty-headed, understood Lem Dy-
| sart. Meantime, Winnie was going
through a vivid ordeal. Her guardian
! watched her as a cat does a mouse.
He had refused to allow Blake to call
at the house, and Dysart was a fire.
quent visitor. She despised the latter
as much as she admired the manly OBJ
ject of her choice. They met, but I'M
der difficulties.
Its got to end!' Rodney declared
forcibly. you are old enough to know
your own mind and act upon 1t. Let
us make a bold dash and end this
wretched persecution"
"Oh, Rodney! You don't mean to
elope7" gasped Winnie.
why not? They are driving us to
that as the only outcome, aren't they?"
"We are watched so closely. See,
Rodney, there is Mr.. ,Leggett, now. He
will see u.s." but Rodney slipped past
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 a
suggestion made by an old boyhood
friend of Rodney, one Bob West. They
had not met for five years until the
day previous, when Rodney had come
across West on the street. They had
q 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, II can help you out in
4 big way-the balloon"
81 don't quite understand" said Rod
1ey vaguely.
1--WE have one. 1t goes up a thou
sand feet every afternoon. We adver-
Use to give fifty dollars to any couple
who will make the ascent with a cler-
lyman and consent to be married way i
lp in the Clouds" \
Rodney left his ingenious friend, h
illed with suppressed excitement. He \
managed to get lengthy note to Win
lie. He was around the circus before '
he Saturday afternoon performance.
Winnie had induced her guardian to
How her to attend the entertainment. l.
he latter, however, insisted that he
company her.
Here's your ticket" he said; ire
erved seat near the band stand. I've
,vited Lem, and as soon as he ar
YES We'll come In and make regu-
IT family group-he he!"
And then he strolled about, and Win
lie disappeared past the ticket taker,
ut as soon as her guardian was out
sight, darted out again, and two
inutes later entered the tent before \
hich the giant balloon was swaying.
lside was Rodney, and she fluttered
his side and was introduced to I
est, and the man In charge of the
llloon.
Don't get scared, little one" spoke
e latter, a good-natured, fatherly
oking man. Everything is arranged
a T. Now, then, Mr.. Blake, just
6 up in that false beard and wig.
I'D you, young lady, cover your pretty
ce with this flowing bridal veil.
hen speak the word come out
ickly, and hustle into the balloon
sket before anybody recognizes
IT,"
Josiah Leggett spent half an hour
liking for Dysart. He came across
n, with several hundred others, far
: aloft at the balloon. which was de-
ending from its aerial ascent.
I say, why wasn't you on timer"
lsured Josiah. Here Winnis. has
IN inside the tent half an hour.
me on in, or they'll fill ug, our
IT'S
Just minute" spoke Dysmt con-
uing to cape aloft. This is lots of
!. Let's have glimpse Of the happy
Iple when they alight."
The wedding party was being borne
cefully to the ground. There was
man engineering the balloon. The
1egroom had removed his false
I'D and wig and was smiling into
face Of the bride, her enveloping
now drawn aside. Tne clergyman,
smiles, held his harlds over their =
DIS, delivering his blessing.
Now, hear the crowd guy Them" be- 8.
Dysart, and then he clutched the
! Of his companion and nearly fell
- Thunder y