Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1918-08-12
UP AL0FT!
BY oENEVEvE ULMAR.
copyright, 1918, Western Newspaper
Unlon.)

look 10 MIN uuu NOltu IL iuite huNui"'
that It's acknowledged queen Of beauty
fair, sprlghtly Eva Blum, should pair
of with this clty-bred newcomer.
Jasper Lee got Off the trolley at
Woodyllle one morning carrying a
heavy grip. He went down the road
whlstllng cheerily, to pause as he got
just opposite Levi Bluln's home. Levi
himself was fusslng over faulty mag
neto. Jasper swung up to the stalled
machine, gave 1t look over, and said
pleasantly:
"Let me-"
"It1l do no good" uttered Levi ir-
ritably, "Tve wasted whole hour on
it,"
Jasper examined the magnetic,
opened his satchel, selected tool and
proceeded to manipulate the stubborn
accessory.
"All right" he announced, and
turned TO bow and smile to a very
pretty girl, Eva Blum, who had come
out TO view the manipulation Of the
magnetic,
Eva held in one hand a string OF
coral beads and In the other a palrt OF
plncers. The quick glance Of Jasper
Lee swept the presentment with intel
ligence.
"Chaln out OF order, clasp jammed?
l see. Shall fix It for youY"
I'll you would" replied Eva, with
shyness, but gratefully, and Jasper
dallled over the easy task Of restoring
the claSp to order for he made Eva
hold the beads while he did the repair
Ing necessary.
"Tye come here TO help a man
named Austin Brooks do some expert
mental work." narrated Lee. perhaps
you know hlm?"
"Oh, yes, lndecdw answered Eva.
"That is where he is working on his
great balloon ldea." and she pointed
10 an lSOluleu HOuac.
That was the beginning OF n most
charming acquaintanceship for those
choice young spirits. Lee slept ut the
old rookery with Brooks, but the in
ventor had been taking his meals at
the Blum home and Lee became fell
low boarder. This brought him a great
deal into Eva's company. He fancled
that his grim employer rather dlscour-
aged the growing friendship.
II did not take long for Lee TO dis
cover that Brooks was visionary and
his idea that he was inventing an air
doat that could go to the sun and back
again was fallacy pure and simple.
The balloon reached completion and
Lees services were dispensed with. lie
fingered at WoOdyille, for he was deep
ly in love with Eva.
where's Eyal" he inquired of Mrs.
Blum late one afternoon.
"Why, you know she is great fa-
vorlte Of Mr.. Brooks, and he came for
her an hour ago and asked her to go
and view his first flight. He wanted
Eva to make the flight with him.
81 hope she does not" spoke Lee
quickly, and with shade of anxiety.
Between you and myself, Mrs. Blum.
the balloon is not yet equipped as to
safety. Mr.. Brooks Is relying upon
gus generator that will never do what
he thinks 1t WILL" and he hurried to
the old r0Okery.
The balloon was swaylng. anchored
in clear space aud standing beside 1t
was It's inventor and Eva. As he ap-
preached Lee discerned that Brooks
was trying to induce Eva to join him
in his flight. but she dissented. Sud
denly Brooks seized her about the
waist, gave her q fling into the basket
of the balloon. lie sprung In himself
and began unfpstening the anchor
rope Eva uttered u sharp scream.
Lee ran to the balloon. He saw jcal-
ousy, rage, insanity in the eyes of
Brooks, as the latter observed him and
beat at him with piece of iron. Lee
maintained his hold, going up with the
rising balloon. He managed to climb
over into the basket, but as he did so
Brooks directed fightful blow at his
head and Lee sank inert.
my grand drcamw fell upon his
awakening hearing In the exultant
tones of Brooks. "Ifs come true. Why,
always have loved you, Eva, and
worked only TO construct float that
could take us to some far isle OF peace
and beauty, where life will be free
and glorious, Then, too, we can yoy-
age up among the very stars AS to
this intruder. we will drop him over to
tighten ship, and soar, and soar, and
soarl"
Lee realized the situation In n flash.
The balloon was ascending with great
velocity. Fortunately he was entirely
familiar with the mechanism of the
balloon. Its one essential feature was
n gas generator placed beneath the
floor of the basket. He groped for It.
detached it. let it drop through space
and Brooks, at the operating seat, in
stantly set up shout of concern.
THE gas has stopped!" he ex
claimed, 1--WE are dropping, 1t mus
be the supply tanb-ha !"
He had sprung down beside Lee. The
latter grappled with, held him ant
called up Il quick order to Eva. Sh,
had seen enough during the construc
lion Of the balloon to follow out or