Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1911-03-25
AN AERIAL
ENTHUSIAST
BY LUCY K. WYNkOOP
Copyright by American Press Asso-
citation. 1911.
By LUCY K. WYNkooP


some institution A member OF the
board OF directors Of an insane asy
lum, a lady, persuaded me TO give her
pet project 100000
drove one afternoon TO the asylum
With check for the amount / was
to give The lady | have mentioned
went with me and had arranged for
essary legal papers.
When we arrived we found a teIe-
gram from the attorney saying that he
would be delayed Learning that the
pstients were to have dance the
same evening. we decided TO remain
and have look Mt the dancers No
patients were received In the institu-
ton except those who We're considered
homeless Indeed, most OF them were
unbalanced on but one subject. We
were given tea in the apartments Of
tie medical director. and his wife
made US at home till the all.opened,
which was very early in the evening.
for 1t must end at 10 O'Clock.
and my gift were known, and moth
fog would do but that | should take
part IN the festivities | danced sew
eral times, when q young man OF very
prepossessing appearance came up to
rue and asked II ! would he his part
Rer There are occasions when a girl
win meet a man to whom she Is espe
ciaily drawn, | had not been In com
pany with this young fellow long be
fore | felt pang that he should be
Insane He charmed me at once.
Naturally | wished 10 discover his
weak point tried him on several
subjects, but saw nothing abnormal
until struck aviation. Then he began
10 talk wild He said that he had
some views about flying machines he
hoped TO work out which would bring
aeroplanes nearer to the construction
OF birds. A birds wings were not rigid.
Why should those of an aeroplane be
rigid? He had in mind plan by
which the wings of the machine should
Zap like those of the bird.
True" he said, birds often soar
without using their pinions. but since
they flap them at all 1t indicates that
aapping is necessary"
why do you wish to 20 up In the
airy | asked IL am quite content on
she earth"
Il only know that l would love to
sail up in the clouds. to pass over the
sops Of high mountains. would
laver--
4 CHI Inn I fiSG aH
with having discovered his weakness.
e had no mind to get him to raving
I excused myself and joined some one
else. But later, shortly before the
close of the entertainment, he Joined
me again and asked for last dance.
declined His personality had
thrown spell over me which | thought
1f Yielded TO would grow upon me. In
other words. felt that had met my
tate in one OF unsound mind and it
would be dangerous to my comfort to
yield TO what might soon become a
serious infatuation. lie gave me "a
half reproachful glance-a glance sug.
gesiing to me that he had been i'm
pressed by me as j had been impressed
hy him--and left me.
When the evenings amusement was
sshded my friend the directress told me
ahat we would proceed to the superin-
tsndent's room, where the attorney
was waiting for us TO transact our
business, and then 20 home | went
with her, aud. on opening the door Of
the office. there, sitting at table look
Tag over some papers, was the young
rUan who had gone daft on aviation,
stopped short, paralyzed with aston
ishnent He arose and gave me one OF
taose pleasant smiles that had helped
10 charm me.
why" said, II didn't expect 10
ind you here"
II was his turn to look surprised
4 supposed you knew who was" he
said.
y did not | thought stopped
he looked very much amused. II
SEE" he said. You mistook me for
Ssne OF the patients I'm not sure but
some of them might change places
with me to my advantage" Then,
farming 10 the work before him. he
Rad me several legal documents, now
nRd then stopping TO explain some
ihlng, | knowing not half as much of
shat he was talking as when he was
Gsscoursing on aviation. When he had
finished he gave me n lot OF papers
xnd took my check, which l had made
payable to the trustees.
The lawyer or lunatic-I was so
Foufused that was not yet certain
AZ my mind which he was-rode in
Eae same carriage with us to rail-
rpad station, whore we dropped him.
he taking a passing train, while we
Grove on to my home
I went to bed with my mind in n
Esod deal of a whirl. but above 1t all
vas feeling OF thankfulness that the
Tahn ] had met was not a lunatic. for
Sc was possible his mental condition
might make great deal OF difference
10 me.
Il was not long before he expressed
dss0ugh my friend the directress a de
sire TO continue our acquaintance, aud
4 Esnt him an invitation TO call on me.