Connecticut western news., 1897-08-12
AN AERIAL FLIGHT.

I stood on the latticed roof of the rickety grape arbor, partially support ing myself by the tips of my fingers as clung to the second story window sill.
 Marie leaned as far out as was con- sistent with safety and rested her hand caressingly on my shoulder. Although my love for the maiden was intense, I could not for a moment forget the un- certainty of my foothold, neither could forget that the sleeping room window of my sweetheart's father was directly beneath me.
 "NeverP' he had said, when offer ed myself to him as prospective son. in-law. Never! No daughter of mine shall marry penniless inventor.
 During the many stolen interviews which had followed the adverse deci- sion of the obdurate parent we had dis cussed the situation from all points, and ever with the same results. At last we had decided to separate for season that might the more fully devote my time to the solution of the problem by evolving from my mental workshop some practical creation which would bring to me both fame and fortune.
 Marie was a modern woman in every respect She had been caught on the psychological wave that was sweeping around the world and was familiar with all the 'osophies and 'ologies that ac- companied the movement She was an adept in mind reading and fairly prof. cient in the later science of telepathy.
 "Watch for messages, dear Jack" she whispered, as she gave my shoulder gentle pat and drew herself within the window. "You will hear from me often. Perhaps I may need you. Who can tell?'
 At this point the brittle frame be- heath my feet cracked ominously, and without further farewells I clambered down and started out on my mission.
 Ted Brown, my college chum and confldant, was fully as enthusiastic as myself over the many experiments and inventions had essayed, and when he heard my story he entered heartily into my plans, which, if perfected, would revolutionize modern traffic and travel.
 One month later found us in the heart of the Rocky mountains and far from the beaten trail. of prospector, sportsman or adventurer.
 Our pack animals were already be- ginning to show signs of collapse, so se- were had been the fatigues of the noun tain journey.
 Realizing the imprudence of farther advance skyward, we were about to turn back and seek some sheltered valley in a milder atmosphere, when felt gen. tie pressure on my shoulder. Involun- tarily l turned, expecting to see my comrade beside me. only to find him several feet away, pulling with all his might the cinch strap on one of the pack animals. I lifted my foot to the stirrup, and again I felt the pressure on my shoulder, this time more forcibly than before, and a voice. could swear it was arie's-sounded in my. ear:
 ''Turn to the right.
 In an instant her parting W ords fash ed upon my mind, and almost uncon- sciously turned in the direction indi- cated.
 What could do? Our plans were all ready made. Should I yield, how could explain to Ted in a satisfactory man. ner this sudden change in our move ments?
 Suddenly, without waiting for the dreaded explanation, shouted to him as I sprang to my saddle, leaving him to follow, as was quite sure he would.
 As drew near the mountain zig gag seam, which reached from the sum- init downward, developed into a we'll defined cleft, broadening at the base, leaving an opening a few feet wide, through which I recklessly plunged without thought of what danger might await me.
 Scarcely half a dozen steps brought me out into an open space.
 In ages agone some terrible subterra- mean upheaval had partially cleft the peak, and through all the countless years that had followed the action of frost and water had gradually worn and crumbled the sides of the gorge un- til there was formed an open circular space several feet in diameter and near ly surrounded by a solid wall of rock.
 It is needless to go into details con- cerning the progress of the work. There were the usual seasons of experiment and failure, of hope and despondency, but through it all the great creature grew, until it nearly filled the little cir cular space.
 A long, slender, hollow body, fitted up with motor and comfortable seats; huge pair of outspread canvas wings and fan shaped rudder, altogether un- like any other aerial sailer that had yet made its appearance. And during all the time occupied in the construction of this birdlike navigator I had been so of ten encouraged and advised when ap- parent failure confronted me by the same voice that had led me to the spot that it really seemed as if Marie was as fully identified with the success of my undertaking as myself
 "All aboard'' shouted Ted as we took our seats and opened the valves that controlled the mysterious power. Straight as an arrow and as swift we arose from the little inclosure. The sky was starlit and clear, and the whole panorama of the rough and ragged coun- try was fast disappearing before we ] thoroughly realized that our venture was success We moved at fearful | pace, judging by our aerometer, which clicked with the regularity of clock as it marked the miles and degrees.
 At dawn our aerial navigator was safely anchored within the rock in closure, and we were wrapped in ou, I T. lo Hal