Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-05-21


vital heartbeat with CHASTITY abruptness
ceased, the aeroplane sank nauseatingly be-
meath her, and near peak, seen beyond the
propeller, jerked upward like view in a
mishandled stereopticon. They were falling
failing as stone falls! Yet she scarcely
grasped the terrific fact before it was over.
She thought "This is DEATH" and even as
she did it realized that Rodoslav had
achieved miracle and snatched them from
destruction. Whatever else he was not this
man surely was one of the worlds great
aviators. As calmly as if he toured perfect
highway, he shifted his elevating rudder,
stayed their plunging fall, and sent the ma
ever landing the Destiny he believed in
might provide. Destiny was not prodigal.
The mists threw their white veil over the
level places of the valleys, if such there were.
On every side jutted rock or spiked masses
of forest The barren cliff on which he
brought the disabled aeroplane to a halt
seemed the one haven in bristling wilder
ness.
@At least it's foothold," said Rodoslav
quietly.
Fear still clutched Ann by the throat.
3Thank God we're alive!" she cried.
He helped her to the rock without reply
and moved cautiously off into the mist, which
with their very landing beloved up and over
one of the aeroplane's outspread wings and
chung to it as if it was the sole link binding
her to her vanished world.
Il know approximately where we are"
said Rodoslav as he came cropping back.
3By the time I've put the motor to rights the
mist may have cleared altogether"
He went methodically about his examina-
ton of the engine, and Ann, watching him
at his task, was influenced by his bearing.
Perhaps, after all, that fearful plunge
through space was nothing an aviator might
not expect. Rodoslav certainly disregarded
it. He applied himself with most matter of
fact directness to his workman's task.
3You can turn your hand to such things!"
she said, thinking he had never seemed more
the Prince.
Il shouldn't trust myself to fly if 1
couldn't he replied. 3But like the work.
If hadn't felt called upon to tinker an EN-
pire, perhaps should have gone in for me-
chanics. might even have lived in Amer
lea, invented an aeroplane, found favor in
your sight. Who knows3" The irony, if it
was there, lurked in the words themselves
rather than his tone. @This promises to be
a tedious business" he said after an interval
of silent labor Il shall locate the trouble in
t1me,-l always dO,IDut That neither mere
nor there. The truth is, if / fixed it in five
minutes we should be none the better off,
This mist isn't clearing. 1t would be lunacy
to try and fly farther in it. We must give
it up"
@Give up the meeting!" Her disappoint-
ment was unmistakable.
mo, not the meeting" he smiled; 3the
fight. It's not long way on foot"
@I'm willing said Ann.
@But it's hard way"
ave done mountain climbing before"
3In such shoes as those? No, I'll tramp it
by myself and bring my friends to you.
They'll be eager to come to you when they
hear you're waiting here. It's as out of the
way as the other spot, and they can help me
with the engine. You won't be afraid to
stay alone for awhile?"
mo"
@Don't move about till it's clearer" He
drew off his leather awaiting jacket and laid
it across her shoulders. You'll be cold" he
said as she protested. II should only find
it burden. And now to bring the Noun
tain to Miss Mohammed!" he added in gay
farewell. you'll like those splendid fell
lows. No leader could ask better or Drawer
They're true as STEEL"
A mn crept underneath the wing of the
aeroplane and began her wait. At
times the drifting mist left her the solitary