The Mena weekly star. (Mena, Ark.) 1904-1977, 1911-05-25

no was a Ddrk-Haired, Darit-Eyed
Handsome Young Man.
pace, the distance between them was
narrowing. Jeanne and young Fan
shaw were coming on ahead. He saw
her stop suddenly and throw an arm
around the mans neck. She was
laughing and crying all at once. and
there were tears In the mans eyes.
too. Philip expected that. He knew
that Fanshaw loved her. His memory
OF that fact was all that redeemed his
memory Of their encounter on the Au-
rora's deck.
But, what he did not expect, was
to see Fanshaw suddenly release him
self from the girls embrace and come
straight toward him. That was not
the most surprising thing-iaot that,
nor the hand which Fanshaw was hold
Ing out to him. 1t was the look in the
young mans face.
There was a powerful emotion work
Ing there, but no sign of any conflict,
no resistance, no reluctance. II was
the face Of a man humble in the pres
ence of a miracle. He stripped off
his gauntlet and gripped Cayley's
hand. 1t was moment before he
could speak.
It's only just now" he said, now
that | see you here together, that
find 1t hard to believe. Because I've
known all along that you were here
with her. keeping her alive until we
could get back to her. I've been the
only one who has had any hope at
all, and with me It's been a certainty
rather than hope. It's as If had
seen you here. together. I've seen you
so thousand times. but now, that do
actually, with my own eyes, it's hard
to =" His voice broke there.
There was moment of silence, then
he went on: "You must try to for
give us, Cayley-me. in particular. for
I'm the one who needs 1t most. We
know the truth Of that old story now
No, it wasn't Jeanne who told, It was
poor Hunter himself, in letter. He
had written 1t long ago. and 1t was
among his papers want you to read
1t sometime. I think, perhaps, when
you do you will be able to forgive him,
too
That's done already" said Philip.
mo. not long ago-within the last few
hours. Come, shall we go back to the
fire? I suppose we had better wait
for another moonriso before we try to
get to the Aurora"
1t was six months later, a blazing,
blue July day, when the gunboat York
town lifted North Head, the northern
portal of the Golden Gate. Tom Fam
shaw and his father had gone to the
bridge, but Philip and Jeanne, the
other two passengers. remained un-
moved by the announcement. seated
as far aft az possible. the ensign. limp
In the following breeze, fiuttering just
over their heads.
Looking up. they saw one Of the
Junior officers standing close beside
them. He was a dark-haired. dark
eyed. good-looking youngster. whose
frank alteration Of Jeanne ever since
they had come aboard had amused the
Fanshaws and secretly pleased and
touched Philip, although he pretended
TO be amused, too.
They both rose and lounged back
against the rail as he came up.
Glad to be nearly home, Mr.. Cald-
weli?" said Jeanne. You navy people
regard any port in the states as home.
don't your"
"Oh, I'd be glad enough of months
shore Leave" he said, 'if 1t weren't
this particular voyage. / mean--if it
didn't mean that we are going to lose
you"
She gave him a friendly little smile.
but made no other answer. He turned
to Philip.
''Ill have to confess" he said, ito
the rudest sort of inquisitive curiosity
about the strengthening bundle you
brought aboard with you from the
Aurora. II looks like some primitive
Eskimo's attempt to build 6ying-mar
| chine"
1T is something like that" said
Philip. IF you'll have it brought up
here on deck III open 1t out to you"
The young fellows pleasure was al.
most boyish. I'm have 1t brought at
once" he said.
The breeze was straight behind
them and Just about strong enough to
compensate for the speed Of the yes
sci. and the air on deck was quite still
| With the boys puzzled assists
| ance Philip spread his wings for
the first time since that night
when he had dived on the cliff
head to go In pursuit Of Roscoe. The
recollection was almost painfully
vivid. and as he looked into Jeanne's
face he saw the same memory mir
rored there.
But young Caldwell, soon brought
them back to the present He was no
onge- embarrassed or shy. deferen-
tal. Aerial navigation was, appar.
entity, subject he knew all about.
lie criticised the shape of the planes.
he material they were made of. the
curve Of this. the dip Of that-all in
| he tone OF an expert - and by
way of summing up. he said:
| Its rather pitiful. isn't it2 In a
Nay any primitive thing always az
| ects me-iike old LOGON ctives they
lave in museums. Somebody, prot
bly,. believed once that that would
dy. hope be didn't believe II seri.
ously enough to give 1t real trial"
You. don't think 1t would work,
III a