The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-04-06
Copyright. 1914, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate)

Copyright. 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper syndicate.)
ITO think. Elsie Foster" beloved
Uncle Jarvis. that I should have
niece who is a coward
The girl raised timid brown eyes to
the angry ones that glared at her
from under bristling white brows.
The red of Uncle Jarvis, face deep
ened to purple with his indignation.
For the two months you have been
at Donnybrook / have tried to make
you into some kind of sport, but
there's nothing you're not scared to
do. When l sent for you to come up
here l planned to make you my heir.
l supposed that a girl with "a drop of
my blood in her veins would have
some courage, but I'm not going to
leave my money to a 'fraid cat
Very well, Uncle Jarvis said
Elsie quietly, you can leave your
money where you choose but your
only sister ought to have enough of
it to keep her In comfort. You know
very well mother and I haven't a
cent except what I earn
But il there was one sporty thing
you weren't afraid to do--just onet'
muttered the old man as he iapsed
into an angry reverir.
Furtively his niece wiped away a
tear, then glanced into the mirror to
see II it had left any traces. The
charming reflection restored her
equanimity 1t was a comfort to
know that she was not failur in
every particular, 4 newspaper lay
on the table and an item caught her
eye. With sbreathless interest she
read II. Suddenly she jumped 20 her
feet with an Inspiration
L.. r.
Won dare to go up in a balloon%''
He snorted scorfuIly. "Of course
I'd dare to do anything. but
wouldn't like to risk myself in one OF
those windbags What are you CriY-
ing att
Would you-do you think It would
show l had some courage If / dared
venture in a balloon? There's To be
an ascension from the Greenburg
Aero Club grounds tomorrow
What You'd never have nerve
enough TO do it!' The incredulity In
Uncle Jarvis belligerent old eyes
changed TO something iike respect as
he saw her look OF determination.
she was firm. II will do It, IL
yoau make the ascension with me.
vi course, / couldn't so alone. You
said you dared to do anything" she
added siyiy.
by Jove, Elsie, IL you are sport
enough for that, I'm sport enough
to see you through" He spoke en-
phatically and rushed off to telephone
the Aero club, and offer any sum in
passage money for his niece and him
self
The next afternoon a crowd gath
cred at the Greenburg Aero Club
grounds to witness the ascension. a
space has been roped Off, and into
this Uncle Jarvis and Iyncle Jarvis,
friends trooped noisily and sat down
on the benches In the shadow of the
great balloon From behind her veil
Elsie watched the entrance to the
inciosure, As time passed and no
one joined the group on the benches
ner lace grew wistfal. Whenever
she glanced fearfully toward the mon
ster tugging at the ropes, her heart
went down, down, down into her lit
tie tan shoes. She felt her courage
or the morning evaporating, though
her. determination still remained
Meanwhile Uncle Jarvis himself
nad become strangely silent. He had
ceased TO buster or to swear; he sat
IN depressed attitude Elsie glanced
al him. His brick, red complexion had
paled to sickly hue, a strange ex~
preston dulled his fierce old eyes
HIs niece. suffering from the same
malady, diagnosed the case The sur
prlsing discovery cfeered her beyond
words. and she actually smiled Her
own fears vanished. replaced by a
cheerful courage.
The hour for ascension had ar
rived The gasbag of the Eagle"
was now inflated; the car looking
dangerously small, was already at
tached 70 the collar. The spectators
gazed In breathless expectancy.
Gray, the ear0naut rama pvar IN
the benches and explained to his pas
sengers; Everything is ready. We
are only waiting for Mr.. Compton, of
the Boston Clarion Oh, there he
comes now" he added. as a tall inn
perious-looking young man came
striding into the Enclosure, Hastily
introducing the newcomer, Gray hur-
ried away.
''Elsie," exclaimed Compton with
look of amazement
She blushed vividiy as she turned
to Uncle Jarvis in explanation. "Mr
Compton and l are old friends, uncle,