El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1912-06-29
The Herald's Daily
Short StOry

I waving crowds became mere specks be-
low them.
All right?' shouted CIavering. And
Cecil called back:
Yes. it's finer''
On they went, shimming through the
air, high above the tossing waters; then
suddenly, they seemed to get caught
in a wind eddy, and the plane swung
right around.
Keep calm-hold tight" reared
Clavrring; and Cecil saw that the
brOhzed face was set and anxious.
For some time they fought a grim
battle with the clustering wind; then
came short, sharp exclamation from
Ronald. a jarring of the machinery, and
the aerOplane rocked violently.
Something was evidently very wrong
but a calm, cold courage took posses
sion of Cecil Now was the time to
show that women have grit as well as
menl
The steering gears gone wrongT'
shouted Clayerlng. wondering how
much he should tell his passenger.
I thought something was up" re-
piled Cecil calmly. Is it serious2"
The aviator looked at her admiringly.
A sudden downward swerYe stopped
any further conversation, and for a
long time ClaVering was busily en-
gagged doing his best TO control the
mercy of the wind. Cecil was getting
cold and cramped. She knew they must
have been in the air a long time for
darkness was threatening to set in;
yet strangely enough, she felt no fear,
though she was sure they were drifting
to death, but she did not care what
happened as long as that stern. brave
figure was with her. All, how little
she had thought her adventure would
turn out like this She had intended to
get home quickly, unObServed, directly
she found herself back in the aero
drome grounds; and now
I'VE are nearing the land,' Claver-
ings voice broke in on her reVerie.
There's u chance, after all
The rest of his sentence was carried
away by d violent gust of wind which
tossed them about; then Cecil saw the
long. low line of the shore. The plane
made a swift, vicious SwOop. They
were falling.
Look OUT" she heard ROnald's short,
sharp words. Then came a terrific
crash She struggled hard not to lose
consciousness as she saw ClaverinG
standing over her. and heard his voice.
saved by a miraclet 1 came down
as gently as I could Are you hurt?"
he asked anXiously as she did not
speak. and he helped her gently to her
feet You're a brick, Miss Traversi II
you had not kept up your courage So
splendidly 7 might have lost my own
nerve"
Cecil blushed deeply. as she recov-
cred consciousness. to find herself IN
Claverings arms.
All, that's better, What a fright
you have given mel" he exclaimed. She
tried to get up, but he still held her.
Take it easy-you'd best keep quiet
a bit. The shock has been too much
for you. And 1 will get you home
directly you are able
His clasp of her frightened, and there
was no installing the emotion in his
voice Cecil looked up into the gray
eyes, no longer stern. but with an eX-
preston of wonderful tenderness in
their depths. and suddenly. she scarcely
knew why, she burst into a passion of
tears. And Clavering felt that he loved
her for her weakness. even as he had
admired her for her courage.
Dear little girl what is the matter"
ne whispered gently.
Il had no right to do it," she
sobbed. What must YOU think of me2'
But il was nearly a fortnight later
when he told her what he really
And now the famous aviator's
charming wife accompanies him on
most of his wonderful flights, but he
often leases her about the first Onel