Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1910-08-12
VIRGINIA
THE AIR
BY
HERBERT QUICK
CHAPTER ".
A LEAP INTO SPACE.

| w. II. SHAME met Carson with
| something less than the steely
N, GOODNESS with which he was
wont to freeze the vitals OF
the man representing an undeveloped
business opportunity.
~ am under great obligations to you,
Mr.. Theodore said be. ''for your serv.
ice to my niece. To be entirely frank,
should not have appropriated the
time to call on any business account"
Mr.. Carson felt repealed. He traced
the "Mr. Theodore" to Captain Har.
rods mode of referring to him.
II am sorry. said De. ''that you have
gone even an inch out OF your way on
account Of any fancied obligations.
prefer the basis of business"
ny Jove." said voice at his elbow,
you ought to be able to meet him on
that basis. shayne."
Carson's ear was affronted. his
nerves tautened BY the voice shayne
waved the man away.
But" went on silberberg. ut seems
to me. old chap. we'd vastly better put
the whole thing on basis Of break.
fast flrst. Send this good man aft and
let's fall to-"
Carson wheeled round and stared
Silberberg In the face curiously. with
the impersonal disfavor Of one study.
ing the picture of some noxtous thing
like a ella monster or feast Of vul.
lures.
"Thank you" said Theodore. Il
have breakfasted. and In good com.
pany."
by glory. my man." shouted silber.
berg. 1T you say another word
Carson turned upon him. and SLIDER
berg sank into a seat Carson walked
back TO the engine rooms saying that
he would look the craft over and see
Mr.. shayne after breakfast.
Silberberg conceived himself vastly
insulted BY this fellow they had picked
up and gave bis host rather q bad half
hour.
I'VE owe It to him to allow him to be
little nasty" said shayne. think
what be did for Virginia. you know.
SiIberberg."
by Jove." cried silberberg. II would
rather she had-er-that Is. l would
not allow any service even to her to
atone for such an insult. don't al
low any one to- He must leave the
Roc. Shayne. or will"
"Rut his machine may be worth
WHILE" urged Shayne. using what he
judged would be valid argument
With his guest. An idea Is an idea.
Max. and this art of flying needs i'm
prOvement."
NO idea insisted Max. lis worth
that much Suit yourself. Mr. Shayne.
but Nm for me-
Silberbarg waved his hand. closing
the debate. Az they rose they detect
ed Wilmer standing behind them, hat
In hand. as. II awaiting q word with
them. or eavesdropping. as the case
might have been.
well" said Sbayne rather. angrily.
II just wanted to say" replied VIE
ner. that l Know what this young
fellows proposition Is. And II you
don't find him reasonable to deal with
come to me- I've seen bis model. II
amt protected. Of course, and can
build one like IL in few weeks-witb
money enough. ri learn him to butt
in and take customer from me!''
When inventors fall out" began
Shayne.
"Monopolists get their hooks In"
supplied Silberberg. Lets take the
fool north and see what he's got"
Most sensible thing you've SAID" re
piled Shayne.
Carson waited in glum silence unit!
the second descent Of the lift. refus.
Ing TO occupy 1t along with Silberberg.
Shayne urged him to stay aboard for
the night trip to Chicago.
"The weather north" said Shayne.
lis the mildest known for March. We
can discuss your project. Mr.. Theo.
dore. over our highballs going up
Come with us.
Very we'll. said Mir. Theodore. he
would 60. with many thanks.
He wondered about the niece and
Silberberg. but be asked DO questions.
He strobe directly to the lift and went
aboard the Roc. 1t was late In the
afternoon when they took on two la
dies-Psyche and Mrs. Shayne. The
ladies' vanished into the cabin with
Silbeiberg.
what do you think Of the wealth
err asked Shayne Of Carson
'rhe low has reached Omaha" re-
piled Carson. "and has deepened rap.
Idly. We ought 10 get into stiff south
winds soon. increasing all the way
"1.et 'em increase" rejoined Shayne
well make port quicker. II It should
be northerly weather. now
WED have to moor?" queried Car
son.
Naturally"
"Nhat I'm going to talk to you
about" said Carson, us machine
that could make Chicago against the
dercest gale quicker than this nyins
palace can do It tonight"
"Oh. yes.". lightly replied shayne.
ave had 'en offered me that would
do 1t In an hour-iD the inventors
mind"
The earth was Q c0ncave cup with
The setting sun . flaming wick on it,
rim. To the north was huge black
Of clouds which seemed
swelling with startling rapidly. but
The weatherwise aviators knew 1t to
be their own headlong flight which
brought the clouds nearer with such
speed. giving them the swift upheaval
which mimicked the approach Of a
storm. The silence was absolute save