The searchlight. [volume] (Culbertson, Mont.) 1902-current, 1911-09-15

her. she was the last of an old ian
ily-her mother and father had died
when she was . child and left her n
care Of her grandfather-and she was
a second-rate actress, Her stubborn
ness alone had kept her on the stage
when she never even had felt tAo
glory Of success.
In the little Quaker academy, whago
her grandfather had sent her b
school. she had become. with many
other girls Of hee acquaintance. enaR.
ored OF the mystery Of the footlights-
for they were mysteries indeed -
those school girls in the quaint acad-
envy on Long Island.
Then-he. her girihood swectheaFe-
had opposed he- going to the theaAsP
when she had Ieft school. He feared
she might learn TO care too much for
the city life-ths life 30 far removed
from their own. And. whether win.
fully or not. Virginia Warrington had
eventually left the old home to 90
upon the stage. She had gone In
search Of q career.
Later. the one dear thing to him IN
the neighborhood gone, John Borth-
wick had walked out into the world
in search Of wealth
Virginia thought Of II all now. She
wondered where he was; she won
dered II he had made any greater sucr
cess than she had It was nearly ten
years since she had heard Of him.
The old home OF the Borthwick1
had long since been bought up and
was now q part Of a pretentious es-
tate. Indeed. the Warrington farm
was one Of the few pioneer homes
that still stood In the now richly pop
ulated section. Virginia knew her an
cestors would turn over In their
graves II the grand old place were to
be disposed Of. For this reason, to-
gether with the fact that she had to
live somewhere. Virginia had come
back home. She promised herself to
try to be as good a citizen AS her for
bears had been, even though the out
look was hopelessly colorless.
Civilization had marched with rapid
bthiuSb dpout hCi Ahu
now the very latest evidence OF II
was about her on all sides-the prep
arations for the aviation meet. Air
ships from all over the world were
being housed in tent-like wooden
structures. called hangers. not a mile
down the road: a great field was be
Ing put In readiness for the starting
of the ships; the very course was
through her own property-by her
own consent. She wondered IL her
grandfather wouldn't quake little at
that. even.
Day after day she watched the
great winged ships pass over her
house ana float into obscurity across
the trees. She saw them rise and
fall. some quickly. darting here and
there. others slowly. like great lazy
buzzards lowering over their prey
She learned to know one from the
other. as she stood out in the garden
with her glasses glued to her eyes
watching them. hour after hour.
II was late October and the Winds
were variable. but daring birdm er
tried their luck In the air. Virgins
watched one aviator In a monoplaLs
persistently try to make a start Oh
windy afternoon just as the grea
red sun was sinking behind the woods
At last he rose into the air. At frs
he remained few feet above tn,
ground and finally rose higher an,
higher until he was but specl
against the clouds. At last. when tn,
sun had gone down, Virginia wen
into the house. stirred with the long
ing to try the fascinating new spor
Of the century
"Oh my dear. my dear" cried Mrs
Msckin. from the rear of the hous
not an hour after Virginia had gon
upstairs.
There's one Of those air boats land
ed In the yard I'm that scared"
Virginia rushed down and out int
the garden. There, clad In leathe
costume from head to foot and wit
sleet and snow covering him until b
tor scrambling from his machine.
May I trouble you to use your telt
phone?" he asked. as Virginia steppe
close. Il want to phone for a tal
paulin for my machine. struck
snow storm up yonder and was afrai
my machine would freeze. | coaste
down more quickly than l though
and-landed here.
Virginia looked at the oddly .
tired man. Her heart beat Wild.
She could not answer and be stoo
booking at her.
Tim sorry. I'm sure" he sail
-
Are you John Borthwickf- stas
nered Virginia
Il am. Virginia" he said. calmly.
She held out her two hands, "Yo
certainly have come out Of . clss
sky" she laughed.
Its been anything but clear-S
ne. Virginia" he said. pointedly.
And. after that. he telephoned 4
his tarpaulin and explained to q