Sequachee Valley news. (Sequachee [Sequatchie], Tenn.) 1896-1952, 1913-11-06


stretched away and away into the dis
lance to where the everlasting snow
crowned peaks glinted marble white
in the sunlight. Lazily the three upon
the porch talked along In the warmth
of the sunny afternoon, the girl
seeming to forget her misgivings and
laughing as lightly as had been her
wont before the coming of the strange
creature from another sphere to haunt
her. In fact, the spirits of all three
arose and for once all friction between
the rivals for the time disappeared and
Alan even condescended to accept the
cigarette that Clay condescended to
proffer him Then in the midst of
their light chatter grotesque thing
! happened. Across tht mid-afternoon
sun a black cloud came floating,
sprawllng, uniformed, cloud which
had huge batlike wings and lean,
outstretched arm that ended in a
grasping hand And as their tongues
stopped as they stared at this appari-
ton of the sky its shadow fell black
upon the lawn, approached them with
| silent stealth, ran snakelike up the
porch until the claw mounting to Dor
| Is waist held her for an instant IN its
grasp, then releasing her passed on
| beyond the house. So startling and
realistic was it all that March half
arose to his feet with hands clenched
as though to do battle, while Tolliver
muttered fierce imprecation beneath
his breath and the girl grew pale as
death. For moment they looked at
each other with startled eyes, then
Tolliver forced laugh.
"Uncanny that! Too realistic by
half to be comfortable. But of course
it was nothing but fool cloud, and
thank goodness we are not supersti-
tious. Listen to that!" From over
head there came the peculiar clanking
whistle of aerial propellers and step
ping quickly to the lawn they gazed
up. Two new aeroplanes we're speed
ing towards the little treeless play.
ground park little way beyond which
has been set aside for their use.
ut is North and Luther arriving"
March told them. Il saw in the paper
that they were expected to arrive to-
day North is an old friend of mine.
Suppose we go down and see him.
Doris quickly assented, and walking
one at each side Of her March and
Tolliver passed out of the gate and
wandered towards the alighting place
of the planes. Her head uncovered,
her glossy hair glinting opalesque in
the sunlight, exceedingly fair of face
and faultless of form in her perfectly
fitting gray gown, no man passed her
without q second admiring look, few
women without secret envy. And proud
of her indeed were the two who
walked so erectly at her side.
They found North busy about his
machine, tightening this, loosening
that, testing everything. He was
good-looking young fellow of about
twenty-five, determined of face and
sinewy of form and an aviator of the
foremost rank, although almost the an
tithesis of the Inflated Putnam. For
where the dead man had been boast
full North was modest, where one had
been reckless the other was merely
brave, and where obstinacy had been
predominant in the former In the man
they now saw cool determination held
sway. He greeted March enthusiasts
tically.
Mighty glad to see you again, old
harod thot fhio xUn ytnur
home and have been thinking of you
off and on all day. Maybe we won't
have a good old time together once
more when get that million. Be good
enough to introduce me-" He removed
his cap.
ton" He gazed at Doris with frank
Don't know as l blame
Alan and the Flying Man for making
their headquarters here" He saw the
shadow that fitted across the girls
face and FASTENED to apologize. BEG
pardon for mentioning such disagree
able beast in your presence, Miss Full
toni mean the Flying Man, not
March He isn't half bad when you
get to know him. Glad to know you,
too, Mr.. Tolliver." He turned to Alan
Il wonder If your friends will ex-
cuse you for just half an hour while
you show me decent place near here
where can get bite to eat-merely
for half an hour, you know" Doris
bowed
IF you will both promise to return
at the end of that time"
ut is contract" He took Alan by
the arm. I'VE have got to hurry to
make it, and these are busy days with
me, you understand Somehow al
ways did have a laundering desire to |
be a millionaire and this is my first |
chance at it. he ratified on. on |
through the loiterers the two friends
went rapidly, leaving Clay and the
girl to ramble about by themselves |
until they should return. For fifteen |
thereafter. and very contrary
to his usual manner, Tolliyer seeming
to be thinking deeply seldom spoke
and she finally began to wonder mild
" as to the cause of 1t.
you are feeling quite recovered by |
low?" she Inquired at length. He
aughed with an uneaAr Bete In his