The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1911-10-13

"No, II Is a town, though not large
one. But you can see smoke rising
from some of the chimneys."
"What is the name Of the town"
1T mustn't tell you that just now,
you know"
"Oh, yes; forgot that you are pledg
ed to secrecy. But l suppose l am at
liberty to guess. and guess that these
are the Catskills."
Perhaps" said Payton, with another
smile Really, Miss Grayman." he
added In q serious tone, IF had fore
seen how unpleasant 1t would be TO
decline to answer your perfectly rea
sonable questions | should have hest
tated to accept this mission"
The girl actually rebuked herself for
letting her curiosity increase the en-
barrassment Of gentleman who she
felt must keenly regret his rather
equivocal position.
you know the Mitchells in Wash
ington. supposeT she asked.
| Payton saw that If this question
were followed by a cross examination
he would be trapped; accordingly he
shut off that line of inquiry at once.
"Oh. Miss Grayman," he said, 'of
course know almost everybody worth
knowing in Washington, but really.
you see. II we begin to discuss these
things we shall inevitably trench upon
forbidden ground-forbidden, you I'M
derstand. only for the moment. After
ward. in a little while. everything will
be clear and we can talk freely. In
the meantime let me beg Of you not to
lose the enjoyment Of this glorious
cruise in the pure morning air.
ut is wonderfully beautiful" replied
Miss Grayman. land to me the ap-
pearance of the earth seen from so
great a height is indeed a revelation.
1t is entirely unlike the view from a
mountain. And then 1t glides away
under us so fast. 1t seems as II 1t
were flying and we standing still! But,
look" she exclaimed. clasping her
hands. 1--WE are actually among the
clouds!'
| A huge roller of cirro-cumulus which
seemed rushing to meet them had sud-
| denly attracted her attention. 1t was
so dazzlingly beautiful that for mo-
| ment she closed her eyes. The sun
beams that transfused its margins en-
circled it with a border of gold and
| pink. while the denser central parts
were of a delicate pearl gray clouded
with soft opaline masses. Suddenly
| the Chameleon plunged into the cloud.
In an instant the sunshine and the COL
or were gone, the blue sky vanished.
the earth beneath was concealed and
they seemed to have passed from the
brilliant morning into a thick. damp.
dismal fog. Raindrops gathered on
the rigging of the aero, and with sur
prising quickness the deck became
dripping wet. The cold, by contrast
seemed intense and very penetrating,
and Miss Grayman shivered.
GO into your room at once, Miss
Grayman," said Payton. "1'his is no
place for you now; you will take cold.
In a few minutes we shall emerge
from the cloud and all will be as be-
fore"
She was about to obey. calling Susan
to follow her. when spasm seemed
to seize her. succeeded by a paralysis
which prohibited all movement. She
became as helpless as If her hands had
grasped the handles of a powerful cleo
trical machine. At the same time a
curious cracking noise broke out on
all sides and little pointed flames flick
cred on every jutting object. Susan
cried out in terror, but Miss Grayman
was unable to open her lips.
These enigmatical electric phenom-
ena which manifest themselves capri
ciously when one is among the clouds
were comparatively unfamiliar in those
days, and even yet little is really
known about them. A singular blue
light which spread CHASTITY illumina-
ton around the aero added to the con-
sternation, and Susan tainted from
fright.
Payton sprang to aid Miss Grayman.
AS he touched her hand a binding
spark leaped forth, and he dropped to
the deck. but was on his feet again in
q second At the same moment Miss
Grayman felt the force which had held
her immovable relax its grasp, and she,
too, fell in dead faint beside Susan.
When they came to themselves they
found that they were in their little
cabin. Payton stood beside them with
a smelling bottle in his hand; the cook
was near with another: the door was
wide open. and brilliant sunshine was
pouring in.
do not feel any alarm, Miss Gray
man." he said. lit is all over. There
was no real danger. The spirits Of the
air were little inconsiderate in well
coming you to their domain, but they
meant well. I have often been SINH
larly shocked by them. but 1t is only
intended for a friendly pat on the
shoulder"
AS Payton spoke he laughed so cheer
ingly that Miss Grayman could but
smile in response.
'I am afraid that shall not like your
spirits Of the air. Commodore Brown"
she said. "They are rather too extiber-
ont In fhafr rraefinpc I do nof core IN