The Clayton call. (Clayton, Del.) 188?-189?, 1897-07-06
AN AERIAL FLIGHT.

OF my sweetheart . AdtAeN was uAAONeAJ
beneath me.
"Neveri'' he had said, when offer
ed myself to him as prospective SON.
in-law. "Neverl No daughter Of mine
shall marry a 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 a season
that l 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 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 &C
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
a gentle pat and drew herself within
the window. "You will hear from me
often. Perhaps may need you. Who
can tell?"
At this point the brittle frame be-
meath my feet cracked ominously, and
without further farewells clambered
down and started out on my mission.
Ted Brown, my college chum and
confidant, 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 Sc
we're 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 l felt gen
tie pressure on my shoulder. Involun-
tarily / 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 l felt the pressure
on my shoulder, this time more forcibly
than before, and VOICE. could swear
it was Marie's-sounded in my ear:
''Turn to the right.
In an instant her parting words fash
ed upon my mind, and almost uncon-
sciously turned in the direction indi-
Gated. m
What could l do? Our plans were al
ready made. Should yield, how could
i>explain to Ted in satisfactory man.
ner this suIGe..~ change in our move
ments2
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 I drew near the mountain zig
gag seam, which reached from the sum-
nit downward, developed into a we'll
defined cleft, broadening at the base,
leaving an opening a few feet wide,
through which recklessly plunged
without a thought of what danger
might await me.
Scarcely half 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 I'M
til there was formed an open circular
space several feet in diameter and near
ly surrounded by a solid wall of rock.
1t is needless to go into details con-
corning the progress of the work. There
were the usual seasons Of experiment
and failure, of hope and dependency,
but through it all the great creature
grew, until it nearly filed the little cir
cular space.
A long, slender, hollow body, fitted
up with a motor and comfortable seats;
huge pair of outspread canvas wings
and fan shaped rudder, altogether I'M
like any other aerial sailer that had yet
made its appearance. And during all
! the time occupied in the construction of
this birdlike navigator l 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 aboardp 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 Enclosure. 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 a 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 our
blankets under our tents. Ned was soon
snoring, but, excited and unnerved as l
was, could not sleep and at last threw
the blankets aside and entered the in
closure TO feast my eyes ON my treasure.
closed my eyes and soon was lost to
consciousness until the familiar pressure
of finger tips on my shoulder awakened
me to the we'll known voice sounding
in my ear:
Jack, Jack; come quickP'
There was an earnestness In the tones
I had never yet heard. which brought
to my recollection MaTie's parting
words:
perhaps may need you. Who can
tell?'
Evidently Marie was in trouble, and
/ must 60 to her. and we began making
preparations for our departure.
Our most valuable belongings, with
food and water sufficient for the jour
neg, were packed wiThin the ships lock-
ers, and our tents stored within the in
closure AS darkness approached we un-
hitched the anchor chain from the sta
pie in the wall of rock and started.
At midnight we were lowering over
Marie's home. We dropped downward
until / could outline the house and
grape arbor With a few hurried words
to Ned sprang lightly to the roof.
The window was open, and the next
instant my sweetheart was leaning out
ward. with her hand on my shoulder
in the old familiar manner, pouring her
/ woes into NV ears