Omaha daily bee., 1910-11-20

CHAPTER xNVI-Continucd.

1On was too much at Il loss TO reply. lie
would not ask admisslon-and he had no
idea that he would be admitted IL he did.
But he must see Virginia. Utterly
ostranged as they were, this night voyage
had a reason-the hope OF seeing her, Of
asking her forgiveness, OF bringing her to
see that when she dropped from the sky
20 his feet he had loved her that when
she had come to live with that uncle Of
whom she had heard so little and had
found the last Carson in him, the tempta-
ton was so masked in duty that Il was too
strong for him. And had he ever once in
that delicious perilous time OF acting
Uncle Theodore" ineXcusubly presumed
on the Relationship, or failed in goodness!
True, he had let her stay as his niece
but had not his father always thought
himself Of tho same blood? Virginia must
allow some weight to this tradition. She
must sec that. while too remotely related
10 be Objectionable in q nearer. dearer way
he was too probably OF kin 70 have turned
her away. And, surely, when once he
could look in her eyes. all the dear, dis
gused avowals and acceptances in the
mistaken past must make him something
better than n stranger. He would land in
shayne's Hold. IL it were the last act Of
his life
reptitous lover he made for the angle be-
tween two dark wings Of the great house.
Glimmers Of light from two windows were
their sole sign Of occupancy; then center
OF human concourse being about that core
OF light in the court The wings seemed
like low adjuncts for Conservatives or bill
lard rooms; and the angle between, with
its light mOttlngs looked like a flower
sprnkled lawn, on which the Carson felt
confident Of placing the Virginia gently
and with no disturbance. Beyond this he
had been too much engrossed IN the man
agement OF the aeronef to make plans.
With a slow soaring movement she came
into the angle like q steamer into her slip
ard found, instead Of a lawn. a graveled
roof cluttered with tables and chairs as II
FOR the serving of refreshments. Among
these the Virginia nosed IN, dumping some
chairs, a table and two potted palms into
the court, and settled down amid crack
ling furniture and crashing pottery-a
beautiful landing, in a rather unsuitable
spot.
Craighead leaped out on the roof.
Lets run!" said he. in a stage whisper
They must have heard that, and IL they
catch us we're in for itl''
stay here" said Carson. in a low tone
III we must. can fly i'm the Virginia.
I'll see II anythings broken"
The Roc had reached shaynes Hold just
I'm time to escape the storm, and the
wearied Virginia had retired, sick OF the
harplng OF her aunt upon the disgrace of
her soiourn with Uncle Theodore" weary
Of telling how innocent it had BEEN how
gentle and conslderate he was. how idylHc
their life would always seem-all in spite
. OF her anger at Mr.. Carson. She had
taken dinner on the roof watching the
march OF the storm. wondering where that
airship was. in which she and some one
had so nearly met their death. She was
angry, and she despised Theodore, but she
hoped he was safe, that his campaign for
the control Of the air against her uncle
might succeedzthough that seemed the
widest Of presumption. While her maid
prepared her for bed. she thought how
much happier she had been at Carsons
Landing, with no attention save an ever
OF hot water brought up by old Chloe.
Her uncle had spoken OF wireless mes
sage from Wiener at Mobile. relating nc
doubt to Theodore and the Virginia. and
she was Mortified to think that nc could
keep up communication with the man who
had tried to murder both her and Theo-
dore. With a book close to the light. she
was composing her mind TO sleep, when
into the dreamy quletude came a purrna
that was so Enthusiastically the voice Of
the aeronef that virginia rose. with her
hand to her heart, in an amazement not al
unpleasant, wondering where her nanlesakt
might alight and what Shayne's hired con
stabulary might do with Theodore-wheI
from the roof came a scraping as II all th,
furniture were being moved at once; chairs
and tables went over the parapet with
~ fuh aF4f
Carson came IN at the window low hur
rled and agitated.
There was a hustling IN the lower hall
as people ran to the windows that CAV,
on the court. and rushed out to see wha
had fallen Virginia turned out the din
light-I wonder why?
We'll" she said, in answer 20 her maid
tap what is IL. Fanny
II cared an awful noise" said Fanny
1t seemed TO come from ere. miss"
Some things fell into the court" re
piled virginia Please tell the servants
and say that thinss must not be piled uPo
the parapet That's ALL Fanny"
"Aro YOU quite sure miss"
yes yes! Run at once and tell them
am quite in earnest. Fanny"
Fanny's footsteps went out OF hearing
and Virginia walked to the window. Their
Theodore had planned campalgns for, an
conquered the world with. This wins
which had poked so nearly through he
window. was the very one upon which sh
had hung, to test the halanoing-and sh
reached out and patted It With her han,
Theodore was passins the other way nov
moving chairs and tables. peering int
every bearing and gearing for signs {
damage. Craighead was skrting the para
pet as II looking for staircase
ITS a miracle" said Theodore, az las
but she's an right and ready to rise at
touch."
Thank Cod" said virginia.
ibid you find way DOWN. asked Ca
son, an unconscious Of the nearness
what he sought
"Only the old way by which 1 came O
the back stoon of the emporium" reptile
Cragheud ITS a matter o. specific graz
ity. As 10 getting back. unless you brougl
your specific lev.ty with YOU, ] really don
see. old chap, how ita going to he maj
aged"
''Once down j can force my way up
said Theodore. raising his voice IN his Il
tonsi,y, DO you think am so back witt