Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-04-15

concealed interest. he had accepted
the invitation to witness the trial
flights of Jules Hazen's new aeroplane
with all the skepticism that the hard
headed man of business brings to bear
upon the fanciful dreams Of the inven-
tor Of things, and he also brought along
with his distrust 4 strong dislike for
the youth who had dared to fall in love
with his only child, Katherine.
katherine stood beside him. small
and fair and wonderfully interested in
the complication Of canvas and machin-
cry which Jules so skillfully guided
through the air. There were just the
three of them-Jules, Katherine and
her father.
Jules essayed another flight. and as
his machine rose gracefully to the lev
ell of the treetops Mr. Tatem shaded
his eyes with his hand and followed
his course. At last he brought his
eyes down to earth.
1T must be a fascinating paStime II
one is young and can AFFORD to spend
the time and money" he added hastily.
4udI Is JulCS PlOlGSSlpus LdlhCL. L
suppose he might as well be an inven-
>tOr as a banker or broker or anything
else" said katherine with spirit.
Don't you think the life Of an avia-
tor, for instance, contains more risk
than that OF a banker?" demanded Ly-
sander Tatem, who was fond OF an
argument.
NO, indeed" and Katherine lifted
her pretty brows in surprise, Just
think Of all the bankers who are killed
IN automobile accidentsy"
"Humph" snorted Mr.. Tatem impa-
/ tiently. LAS II mans profession
! made any difference when two auto
mobiles come together. Just as many
/ lawyers and brewers go to smash. my
dear. as bankers. Be sensible now and
/ admit that Hszen's profession or trade.
or whatever you call it OF inventor and
aviator is a hand to mouth existence
at best. Did you ever hear Of many
rich inventors, Katherine?'
NO"
That's the situation in a nutshell.
HaZen is as poor as a church mouse.
l suppose he thinks if he marries a
bankers daughter he'll have a hacker
for his inventions"
Now the aerOplane swooped down
ward and allghted before them. Jules
leaned ont. his keen young face alight
with pleasure.
"Will you go up with me, Mr. Ia
tenn" he asked. I'm sure you'll en-
joy the sensation Of soaring in space
/ promise to return you safe and SOUND
to the earth"
Lysander Tatem hesitated for mo
ment. and then. persuaded by his daugh
ter's encouraging smile and ashamed t.
admit his own reluctance to leave tn,
earth in that manner, he stepped int
the seat beside the young aviator.
The banker chung desperately to th'
slender supports as the birdlike ma
chine swoOped mp. up. above the tree
tops and then gided evenly alOn:
above the earth. After the first sick
ening feeling as he saw the GROUND
with its familiar objects dropping
away beneath them. where Katherin,
stood a tiny speck waving n pin poin
Of white after them, Lysander Taten
really began to enjoy the sensation o
flying. He felt new respect for TIT
young man who wanted to he his son
J in-law. and he earnestly hoped tina
the science would be perfected witt
} such rapidity that he. too, might en-
JOY the sport Of air flying.
Jules Hazen said little Now ant
then he indicated the blurred outlin
> Of city beneath them or eyplaine,
the working of the machinery to tn
interested passenger, who grew NOR
cXhilarated as the minutes passed IN
I'll an hour had gone by.
, "Where are we now he asked at last
= "Blakeport." returned Hazen as h
= swung the machine Circling about an,
. headed for home There's rather
nasty wind coming up from the north
T. east Wen see if we can't beat it"
: They didn't beat the rapidly risin
: wind 1t made such Roadway that tn
p aviator guided his machine 10 q highe
= strata. hoping To escape the unfavorG
t be wind Higher and higher the
arose until the feeling of nausea at
tackled the banker again. and he wa
obliged to exert every effort to mair
i tain his seat.
e CLOSE your eyes, commando
Jules And Mr. Tatem was gladl
l obedient The first doubts of the avis
tors ability to take him home agai
E now assailed him.
= What's thatT He bad tn repea
- this question in Hazen'S ear. becaus
- the engine was giving forth such shar
staccato cracks that hearing was di
ficuIt
What's WHAT" shouted Jules.
That noise like the cracking Of a
o the steel ribs explained the uneas
p passenger.
q Engine missing strokes" said julie
briefly. and Mr. Tatem had to be col
/, tent with that explanation. But m
o for long was he satisfied with the 81
o., uatiOn The machine was rushin
through space with terrifying spec,
Below them were cold gray clouC
and abovn them a clear. deep blue SIX
, from which the sun shoDe warmly.
= There was absent the smooth Gil
ing motion which had at first fasc
mated him. and there was something
the action Of the engine and in ii
-