A Silver Brand — page 68: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

60 ots A SILVER BRAND. beseeching eyes searching the gray clouds, she be- came aware of a black speck sailing slowly from out the clouds, it seemed. In her wrapt, intensely strained mood.she was ready for anything, even a miraculous intervention. . “What is it—a bird sailing hitherward? Oh, I will trust myself to this fearless wing. Anything—any- _. thing—no matter how desperate!” she murmured, and scarcely breathed, while the speck broadened, deepened, and came surely nearer. Suddenly she clasped both hands with a low sob of ecstasy. | “I know, I know! Seippel was telling his wife last week about the eccentric aeronaut who is experi- menting with balloons in the neighboring town. Mother of mercy send him within call of my voice— within signaling view !” | And then she fell on her knees, and remained thus with head thrown back, and wrapt eyes never leaving a moment the black sailing object. Half an hour’s time solved her doubts. It was the balloon certainly. She saw it now, distinctly, made out the form of the little car hanging on the gay- colored globe, could count the flags, even. She sprang to her feet, ran hastliy to the trap- door, closed it, and shot the strong bolt into the socket. | } Then she seized the white scarf that had been wound about her head, and waved it frantically, but without an audible cry. Blessed fortune that kept Seippel and his wife two stories below her! that made sure, no shouting crowds would draw their attention. ; She was fairly wild with the dawning of hope; she Bes deadly sick with the fear of disappoint- ment. Nearer and nearer it sailed, majestic indeed asa gliding ship upon the ocean of ether. Now it was overhead, and so close she could see the aeronaut bending down curiously and looking at her. She stretched out her arms imploringly. She made frantic gestures. She went through an elo- quent pantomine to express her desires, The tears Eomicbooks.co