The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1913-02-13

troubled that O. 'ando had remained
60 obstinate on this point For there
were ominous clouds rolling W from
the east, and the storms In this region
of high mountains and abrupt valIevs
were not light, nor without danger
even to those with feet weil-eiapteci
upon mother earth.
If the tempest should come up be-
fore eight!
MIR. Challoner, who, from some mvs.
FERROUS impulse OF tTavado on the parr
OF BrotLerson, was to be allowed to
make the third in this small band of
spectators, was equally concerned a.
this sight, but not for Brotherson His
fears were for Oswald, whose slow.
ly gathering strength could lily bear
the strain which this additional anx.
iety for his brothers life must impose
upon him.. As for Doris, she was in
a state of excitement more connected
with the past. than with the future.
That afternoon she had laid her hand
in that Of Orlando Brotherson. and
wished him well. She! In whose breast
still fingered "reminiscences Of those
DID doubts which had beclouded his
image for her at their first meeting.
She had not been able to avoid It
His look was compelling one, and it
had demanded thus much from her:
and--a terrible thought to her gentle
spirit-he might be going to his
death!
1t had been settled by the prospec-
tive aviator that they were to watch
for the ascent from the mouth of the
grassy road leading in to the hangar.
The three were to meet there at a
quarter to eight and await the stroke
and the Arrears rise. That time was
near, and Mr.. Challoner, catching a
glimpse of Oswald's pallid and unnat-
urally drawn features, as he set down
the lantern he carried, shuddered with
forebodtng and wished the hour
passed.
Doris watchful glance never left
the face whose lightest change was
more to her than all Orlando's hopes.
But the result upon her was not to
weaken her resolution, but to strength
en- it. Whatever the outcome of the
next few minutes, she must stand
ready to sustain her invalid through
1t. That the darkness Of early eve
ming had deepened to oppression, was
unnoticed for the moment The fears
OF an hour past had been forgotten.
Their attention was too absorbed in
W niS,U hnf~ fnn
even glance overhead.
Suddenly Mr.. Challoner spoke.
Who is the man whom Brotherson
has asked to go up with him?'
1t was Oswald who answered.
He has never told me. He has
kept his own counsel about that rs
about everything else connected with
this matter. He simply advised me
that l was not to bother about him
any more; that he had found the as
sistant he wanted"
"Such reticence seems unpardon-
able. You have displayed great pa.
tience, Oswald
Because I understand Orlando. He
reads mems natures like q book. The
man he trusts, We may trust. Tomor-
row, he will speak openly enough. All
cause for reticence will be gone.''
"You have confidence then in the
success of this undertakings"
IF l hadn't, I should not be here.
could hardly bear to witness his fail.
ure, even in a secret test like this.
should find it too hard to face him aft.
erwards"
Il don't understand"
Orlando has great pride. If this
enterprise fails I cannot answer for
him. He would be capable of any.
thing. Why, Doris! what is the mat
ter, child? l never saw you look like
that before"
She had been down on her knees
regulating the lantern, and the sud
den fame, shooting up, had shown him
her face turned up toward his in an
apprehension which verged on horror.
do look frightened?" she asked,
remembering herself and lightly ris-
ing. 81 believe that I am little
frightened. lift anything should go
wrong! If an accident" But here
she remembered herself again and
quickly changed her tone. But your
confidence shall be mine. l will be-
lieve in his good angel or-or in his
self-command and great resolution. I'll
not be frightened any more"
But Oswald did not seem satisfied.
He continued to look at her in vague
concern.
He hardly knew what to make of
the intense feeling she had manifest
ed. Had Orlando touched her girlish
heart? Had this cold-blooded nature,
with its steellike brill:ancy and hon.
orable but stern views of life, moved
this warm and sympathetic soul to
more than admiration? The thought
disturbed him sc he forgot the near
ness of the moment they were all
awaiting till a quick rasping sound
from the hangar, followed by the sud
den appearance of an overwhelming
band of light about its upper rim,
drew his attention and awakened them
all to a breathless expectation.
The lid was rising. Now 1t was
halfway up. and now. for the first
time. it was lifted to its full height
and stood a broad oval disk against