The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1913-04-22
UP IN
THE AIR
Or How His Consent Was
Won
By CLARIssA MAcKIE

D><N<><>~><>%~>>~ ~>~>%~|~~>~~~r~%A
Mr.. Lysander Tatem looked upon the
latest invention of the young man who
wanted to be his son-in-law with IN
concealed interest. He had accepted
the invitation to witness the tria
flights of Jules Hazen's new aeroplane
with all the skepticism that the hard
headed man of business brings to beal
upon the fanciful dreams of the inven
tor Of things, and he also brought along
with his distrust a strong dislike fol
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 fascinating pastime il
one is young and can afford to spend
the time and money" he added hastily
THAT is Jules profession. father ]
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 banker?" demanded Ly-
sander Tatem. who was fond of an
argument
mo, indeed" and Katherine lifted
her pretty brows in surprise Gust
think of all the bankers who are killed
in automobile accidentsi"
"Humphr snorted Mr.. Tatem impa-
tiently. LAS if a 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 Hazen's profession or trade
or whatever you call it of inventor and
aviator is hand TO mouth existence
at best. Did you ever hear of many
rich inventors. Katherine?"
mo"
That's the situation in a nutshell
Hazen is as poor as a church mouse
l suppose he thinks II he marries a
bankers daughter he'll have a hacker
for his inventions"
Now the aeroplane swooped down
ward and alighted before them. Jules
leaned out, his keen young face alight
with pleasure.
"Will you go up with me, Mr.. Ia
TEN p 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 a mo-
ment, and then, persuaded by his daugh
ter's encouraging smile and ashamed to
admit his own reluctance to leave the
earth in that manner. he stepped into
the seat beside the young aviator.
The banker chung desperately to the
slender supports as the birdlike ma.
chine swooped up. up, above the tree
tops and then glided evenly along
above the earth After the first sick
ening feeling as he saw the ground
with its familiar objects dropping
away beneath them. where Katherine
stood tiny speck waving a pin point
Of white after them. Lysander Tatem
really began to enjoy the sensation OF
flying He felt new respect for the
young man who wanted to be his son
ln-law. and he earnestly hoped that
the science would be perfected with
such rapidity that he, too, might en-
joy the sport of air flying.
Jules HazeD said little Now and
then he indicated the blurred outline
Of a city beneath them or explained
the working of the machinery to the
interested passenger. who grew more
exhilaTated as the minutes passed un
til an hour had gone by.
where are we now?' he asked at last
'Blakeport." returned Hazen as be
swung the machine crcling about and
headed for home. There's rather a
nasty wind coming up from the north
east Wen see if we can't beat ii"
They didn't beat the rapidly rising
wind. 1t made such Roadway that the
aviator guided his machine to higher
strata, hoping to escape the unfavora-
BILE wind Higher and higher they
arose until the feeling of nausea at
tackled the banker again, and he was
obliged to exert every effort to main
tain his seat
"Close your eyes!" commanded
Jules. And Mr.. Tatem was gladly
obedient. The first doubts of the avia
tors ability to take him home again
now assailed him.
whats that?' He had to repeat
this question in Hazen's ear. because
the engine was giving forth such sharp
staccatO cracks that hearing was diff
icult
whats what?' shouted Jules.
THAT noise. like the cracking Of all
the steel ribs" explained the uneasy
passenger
Engine missing strokes" said Jules
briefly, and Mr. Tatem had to be con
tent with that explanation. But not
for long was he satisfied with the sit
uation. The machine was rushing
through space with terrifying speed
Below them were cold. gray clouds
and above them a clear. deep blue sky,
from which the sun shone warmly.
There was absent the smooth Gid
ing motion which had at first fasci
mated him, and there was something in
the action of the engine and in the
rigid lines Of Hazen's profile that hint
ed to him that the young aviator, In
censed at the bankers reluctance tc
accept him as the sutton of his daugh