The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1918-04-13
CAPTIVE BALLOON
BY EDNA PRICE WALLER.
Isls. westsrn Newspaper Union

MOI IN tnlS case, unleks dIn INC
pilot and guide. have brought up
my dead cousins daughter, Winnie,
since she was ten. I've seen to her
education. She's smart girl. though
sometimes willful. ! want to see her
start in life right"
Josiah Leggett's neighbor smiled Sc
cretly. He 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 notion about Rodney Blake.
I've nipped his young affections in the
bud.
BLAKE Is pretty fine young man,
all the same" observed the neighbor,
and the speaker went his way mental
~ comparing young Blake with the
carrotty-headed, understood Lem Dy-
sart. Meantime, Winnie was going
through vivid ordeal. Her guardian
watched her as cat does mouse.
He had refused to allow Blake to call
at the house, and Dysart was fire.
quent visitor. She despised the latter
us much as she admired the manly oh
ject of her choice. They met, but un-
der difficulties.
ITS got to end!" Rodney declared
lu oil oil, IN
your own mind and act upon 1t. Let
us make bold dash and end this
wretched persecution"
"Oh, Rodney! You don't mean 10
elopeT' gasped Winnie.
"Why not? They are driving us to
that as the only outcome, aren't theyT'
1--WE are watched so closely. See,
Rodney, there is Mr. Leggett, now. He
will see u.s." but Rodney slipped past
a hedge with the hurried parting
words:
BE sure to see me tomorrow. l
have plan want TO tell you about
The plan was the outcome Of n
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
a pleasant chat and West divulged
the fact that he was advance agent Of
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" lie remarked with
friendly ardor II can help you out in
a big way--the balloon"
II don't quite understand" said Rod
ney vaguely.
I'VE have one. 1t goes up thou
| sand feet every afternoon. We adver-
| tise to give fifty dollars to any couple
who will make the ascent with cler-
| up In the clouds"
Rodney left his ingenious friend.
| filed 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 10 attend the entertainment.
The litter however, insisted that he
accompany her.
Here's your ticket" he said; ere
served seat near the band stand. I've
invited Lem, and as soon as he ar
rives We'll come in and make IL 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
minutes later entered the tent before
which the giant balloon was swaying.
Inside was Rodney, and she fiuttered
| to his side and was introduced 10
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 q T. Now, then, Mr.. Blake, just
top up In that false beard and wig.
And you, young lady, cover your pretty
face with this flowing bridal veil.
When 4 speak the word come out
quickly, and hustle jnto 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 Its aerial ascent.
II shy, why wasn't you on timer
censured Josiah. Here Winnie has
been inside the tent half an hour.
Come on In, or they'll All up our
sents."
"Jhst q minute" spoke Dysart, con-
tInuing to cape aloft. This is lots Of
fun. Let's have glimpse Of the happy
couple when they alight."
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
/ the face Of the bride, her enveloping
veil now drawn aside. The clergyman,
all smiles, held his hands over their
heads, delivering his pleasing.
"Now hear the crowd guy them" be
~.c nyoart and than no clint chad the