Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1910-03-03

her consent that the party should
swOop down for clergyman that the
lovers might be married. but she fear
ed her husbands displeasure. The
younger Miss Rerlton was Indifferent.
The lovers finally prevailed over the
elder lady'S caution. and 1t was de-
cided that the marriage should take
place.
Being a couple of hundred miles out
at sea. not a likely place TO find
clergyman. Follansbee turned his ma
chine toward the land. But time had
been spent in coming to a decision.
and he was too late. When fifty miles
off Norfolk the machine bearing Mr..
Beriton, driven by Spindleton. appear
ed over Virginia beach. like a seagull.
standing northeast.
FoIlansbee considered.
A great deal of power had been used
in his machine since starting, and he
knew it had not the capacity for a
long quick run with the coming aero
plane. 1t was to supply this very de-
fect-in other words, to be ready to
turn and fght-that he had provided
his bird with a ram. II the worst
came he would smash the pursuing
hier and drop its owner into the waves
below. But he hoped this would not
be necessary. However, in order that
the contest should take place over
water he made a pretense OF fight.
When Mr.. Beriton reached a point
some two miles distant from Follans-
bee the latter saw his machine sud-
denly rise in a spiral. He OWNED the
upshot of the maneuver in a moment.
Bombs had been so long used that IL
was evident the enemy had procured
them and, getting on a higher plane.
would command the situation. The
Beriton car climbed q thousand feet;
then Spindleton, who was a splendid
aviator, made for a point directly over
Follansbee.
The lover knew his enemy's deter
mined nature and that he would place
him in a position to be bombed or to
yield. OF course he would have to
yield. He therefore put on all speed.
but. of course, moved slowly, losing
ground because it was essential that
he move on a rising incline.
Notwithstanding the power Of Fol.
lansbee's aeroplane to rise in this grad
ual fashion, Mr.. Beriton maintained q
position above him. Mrs Beriton beg.
ged FoIlansbee to give up the flight, !
but the young man was contending
for a half billion dollar bride and was
not to be discouraged. When Mr.. Ber-
iton was q mile away and 500 feet
above him Follansbee lighted a fuse, !
threw the end over the car and wait |
ed The other end of the fuse was
attached to a rOcket-like hrework, fixed
to the bottom OF the car. which in
few moment was ignited, and, blow
ing OF a great quantity Of burning
powder, the aeroplane shot rapidly up
ward.
When this sudden ascent ceased Fol |
lansbee was on a level with his enc
my and but fifty yards away.
I'm about to ram you, STRIP cried I
Follansbee.
''Don'tr pleaded Mrs. Beritou-
There was a pause. Mr.. Beriton |
saw that the game was lost
whats your termsT' he asked.
Consent to my marriage with your .
daughter"
Every WELL replied the merchant :
81 will consent. but positively refuse
TO give her q dowry Of more than a /
hundred millions"
The terms were accepted, and both |
aeroplanes started for the Beriton res. |
idence, where the past was forgotten I
and Beriton expressed his admiration /
Of his future son-in-law's ability to |
beat him in the game Of aerial ships /
The wedding took place with great |
brilIiancy, another $10O,0Oo.0oO being |
added to the settlement in order TO /
enable the young couple to maintain |
their position in the highest circles.
1t was determined to celebrate this |
nuptials by an aeroplane cruise. con-
sisting OF the vast coBcourse OF ma
chimes owned by the first circles of /
New York society. On a bright after
noon a thousand aeroplanes rose from
various points in the city. lowered for |
awhile. then, led by the motor of the |
bridal couple. started westward across
the continent. After trip of a week.
during which ali the principal points
of interest in the United States. Can
ada and Mexico were visited, the we'd
ding party returned to New York.