The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-07-18
ge
 s KY PIRATE by GARRETT p 'o ~ SEQVISS.
(Continued.)
cosYescHI eY FRANK A. r,oNser cooeANx.)

(Continued.)
 "Oh. yes; forgot that you are pledg ed to secrecy. But suppose I am al liberty tQguess, and guess that these are the Catskills."
 Perhaps" said Payton, with another smile. Really, Miss Grayman," he added in serious tone, Eff I had fore seen how unpleasant it would be tt decline to answer your perfectly req sonabie questions I should have hesi tated to accept this mission"
 The girl actually rebuked herself foI letting her curiosity insrease the en- barassment of a gentleman who she felt must keenly regret his rather eQuivocal position.
 "You know the Mitchells in Wash ington, suppose?" she asked.
 Payton saw that if this question were followed by 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, if we begin to discuss these things we shall inevitably trench upon forbidden ground-forbidden you un- derstand, only for the moment. After ward, in 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.
 sIt is wonderfully beautiful" replied Miss Grayman, "and to me the ap- pearance of the earth seen from so great a height is indeed revelation. It is entirely unlike the view from a mountain. And then it glides away under us so fast. It seems as if it were flying and we standing still! But, look." she exclaimed, clasping her hands, i've are actually among the cloudsr
 A huge roller of cirro-cumulus which seemed rushing to meet them had sud denly attracted her attention. It was so dazzlingly beautiful that for a mo- ment she closed her eyes. The sun- beams that transfused it's margins en- circled it with 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. Raindreps 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, ana Miss Grayman shivered.
 "Go into your room at once, Miss Grayman," said Payton. 'This is no place for you now; you will take cold. In a few minutes we shall emerge from the aloud and all will be as be- fore"
 She was about to obey, calling Susan to follow her, when a spasm seemed to seize her. succeeded by paralysis which prohibited ali movement. She became as helpless as if her hands had grasped the handles of 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 enigmat1cal 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 ghastly 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 a second. At the same moment Miss Grayman felt the force which had held her immovable relax its grasp, and she. too, fell in a 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 ~ot feel any alarm, Miss Cray man." he said "It is all over. There vas no real danger The spirits of the air were a little inconsiderate in wei coming you to their domain, but they meant well. I have often been simi- iarly shocked by them. but it 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 exuber- ant in their greetings. do not care to meet them again.
 ''And you shall not" replied Payton. 'sWe have dropped down below the re- zion of the clouds and are now entirely outside their fairy realm. They will trouble us no more with their atten- tions You may be interested to learn that we are nearing our destination"
 "Oh." said Miss Grayman. instantly rising, full of vivacity. 'then our friends are close at handv'
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