The Marshall republican., 1913-06-27

as they supposed, Napoleon. But 1t
was Santos Duprel, bringing two let
tiers, one from Napoleon to his mother
ard the other from Astra to the
countess.
Santos honest eyes glowed when he
saw Rositta, who took pains TO give
him a friendly glance as she shook
hands.
Her letter said that Santos and the
Hawk we're at her disposal. and that
Astra would be glad to see her again
as soon as Mrs. Edlson's condition
permitted her to leave. She also In.
vited Mrs. Edison to come to the cap
ital, but the mother knew that her
son depended on her presence on the
island. so declined.
Rositta expressed deep disappolnt.
ment when Mrs. Edison gave her rea-
sons for not going back with Santos
and the Hawk. but the chance to talk
TO Santos on the return trip suited
her best. After some hesitation she
decided to make a flying trip to Wash
ington the next day, assuring Mrs. Ed
ison that she would stay only a day.
Santos received instructions to be
ready 70 leave early In the morning.
The little, round fellow was elated
when he thought Of the three hours
alone with Rositta.
His nights. since he had met ABtra
aad Rositta, were restless. Rositta's
many ~kindnesses especially gave him
food for thought. He paid more at.
tention to matters of dress; he shaved
his round, rudy face every day. lie
even used perfume.
II dazzled him 10 think OF the trip
to the capital with the countess for
company.
Early In the dewy morning Santos
brought the Hawk to the cottage and
waited for Rositta.
A little later the wonderful machine
leaped into the air and up and for.
ward with mighty flaps OF the glitter.
ing wings.
Countess Rosiny rose and went
slowly forward to the mar who vas
directing the flight OF the great bird;
the brain OF the mechanism.
She leaned over the railing that
separated the cabin from the steering
wheel and the various levers. "How
high arc we now. MFR. Duprel?" che
asked.
Santos looked at the aerograph:
"2.b27 feet, countess. DO you want to
go hlgher7"
"oh, yesl"
The Hawk darted up; a turn OF the
Wheel worked the wings, and electric
sparks were seen In n steady stream.
What n wonderful machine this
isl" whispered the countess In Santos
ear. He had mastered his timidity
and. for the first time. turned to look
at her. Her brilliant eyes melted into
the light blue. round eyes OF Santos.
Eyes. II is." he said simply.
Are we going still higher?" abe
asked IN a breathless tone.
Santos looked hurriedly ut the aero
graph and saw that II showed 5000
feet. In his nervousness he had gon,
higher than he intended. 80 he hastily
changed the direction. II was bitterly
cold for q short time. but the wings
soon generated enough heat 10 warm
the cabin: In fact. II was too warm
and Santos opened the air condenser
that let In the fresh. pure air OF that
altitude. where Il 10 clear and lntoxi
eating In It's sweetness.
'"How much admire men like you
Mr.. Duprel. You have conquered IN,
air!" whispered the countess to tn,
good boy who had succumbed to hei
charms.
Countess, you are too good to me;
you are the sweetest. dearest woman
have ever met" suffered the bird
man. He wal still more dazed wher
she placed her dainty. dimpled hant
on the steering wheel where II touched
his.
''Where does this machine get thu
tremendous power that enables II Il
nv with such velocity?" questioned
ROSETTA.
ELECTRICITY" was all the little mai
said: then he smiled at his fair pas
renger. whose hand still rested on tn,
wheel. touching HIS.
"Electricity?" She looked around a
the simple machinery in sight. "Hoy
do you generate III"
Santos laughed at the shrewd quee
ton. I'VE don't. A. least. not mucl
OF It," Then he suddenly closed hi
mouth like m who has realized he 4
saying too much.
Tho clever woman read his thoughts
She was quiet for a short time. thel
her hand released the wheel and fel
in her lap. She sighed deeply.
Are you happy. Mr.. Duprel?" wa
her sudden question.
Santos was SO surprised that h
gave an jnvoluntary pull at the whee
that took them from their course
Why do you ask this question. coun,
essf" tNl
because a man like you ought to b
very happy"
!, "A poor. lonesome fellow. such a
me?" nt
Are you lonely? I would have sur
posed that a genius, who could cor
quer the air and save his country
couldn't be lonely"