The Spokane press. [volume] (Spokane, Wash.) 1902-1939, 1910-05-23

1
| in constant readiness to give to the
depressed area the advantage in
speed which the operator could inn
part if he chose, and to shift the
rudders, as fish it's fins.
please walk about the deck"
commanded Theodore. "See how
the rudders pulsate, like butter
fly's wings, as you go back and
forth. See 1t, see it.! 1t looks
alive!"
Virginia walked up to her COM
mander and took his hand.
From the bottom of my heart"
said she, II congratulate you. You
are great man. Theodore Carson"
Thank you, YIN dearest" said
Theodore. lifting her hand to his
fps. ut is all yours, you know,
yOurs!"
l. Virginia withdraw her hand and
walked forward. They were flying
higher now, and she could see the
pine woods far inland, with their
square patches Of plowed fields,
their white houses behind the great
green globes of the china trees.
The Freshwater lakes lay almost
hinder their feet, one beyond the
pther like string Of beads; and
hll about them was the immense
marsh, the haunt of water fowl and
alligator, notified with pools picked
Out in white lilies. To the west
lay the blue waters of the lagoon;
Its farther beach dozen miles
away, lost in amethystine haze, its
nearer foreshore glimmering with
columned villas, and hotels, its sur
face dotted with the sails of
yachts and laced with the wakes of
popping motor boats. Over the land
beyond glimmered the waters of
Mobile bay. The mooring balloon
at Fort Morgan was almost lost in
the white haze of spray from the
twenty miles of breaking combers,
and the Sand island light split the
far western horizon like a spike
driven up from below to hold the
gulf in place. The sun blazed
overhead. but the breezez was cool;
and the Virginia cut through 1t so
swiftly that. except in the protect
ed lee Of the wedge-shaped wind
shields. she was swept from bow
to stern by something like half a
gale. Far over the northwest scared
a great aeronat, silver white as If
covered with tinfoil
Il wonder il that isn't the Roc?"
queried Verginia.
Theodore was too busy with his
levers and wheels to look.
IF it is said he, land she comes
about this place. we'll show her
what real aviation Is. What's that
over there on the Freshwater lake?
A party?"
There's a launch" replied Vir-
ginia, land three men and a woman
coming across to our beach,"
"Excursionists. probably am
swered Theodore. Lets give them
something to remember"
1t was now that the Virginia
made her swift swoop across the
isthmus to the lake, lowered over
the heads of Craighead and his
companions, and bore off to the
eastward like homing pigeon.
Those on the ship could not recog-
nize their newly arrived friends,
nor hear Craighead's wild shout of
triumph. They were far down to-
ward Perdido bay. flying like a
driven leaf, Virginia gazing at Car
son with something like fear In
the admiration which now possess
ed her. as he tried every combina-
ton Of factors in flight which he
coul dconjure up.
He turned and surprised her
lbok; she bore detection calmly.
but with some frightening Of
color.
iShe's as near perfect as a ma
chine can be-" said he; more near
" SO than l ever hoped. You see,
tive had so much time to work
things out while I was waiting for
the money. You don't konw what
this means to me. Psyche"
Il believe l can partly guess"
said she. "Money-that's some
thing"
tBut an uncertainth." observed
Theodore. THE power of the
Shayne people may ruin me, COM
mercially."
Maybe" said she. latter living
with the Shaynes as did. can
understand that better than you
can. But they can't take from you
the glory of achieving what the
race has been trying so long, and
dreaming of so much longer. You're
a great man. uncle! That's the real
thing"
1T vas" said he. "but 1t isn't
now. Cant you understand, mate.
that there may be some one living
whose approval means more than
any fame? want you to-"
CONTINUED Tomorrow.