The Huttig news., 1913-04-19
CHAPTER xxxV.
Siience-and a Knock.


 Oswald did not succeed in finding ,t man to please Orlando. He sus, gested one person after another to the exacting inventor, but none were satisfactory to him and each in turn was turned down. It is not every one we want to have share world wide triumph or an ignominious de feat. And the days were passing.
 He had said in moment of elation "I will do it alone;" but he knew even then that he could not. Two hands were necessary to start the car; afterwards, he might manage it alone. Descent was even possible, but to give the contrivance it's first lift required a second mechanician Where was he to find one to please him? And what was he to do if he did not? Conquer his prejudiees against such men as he had seen, or delay the attempt, as Oswald had suggested till he could get one of his old cronies on from New York. He could do nei- ther. The obstinaey of his nature was such as to offer an invineible barrier against either suggestion. One alter native remained. He had heard of women avlaters. If Doris could be induced 10 accompany him into the air. instead of clinging sodden-like to the weight of Oswald's woe. then would the world behold triumph which would dwarf the ecstasy of the birds flight and rob the eagle of his kingly pride. But Doris barely en dured his as yet. and the thought was not one to be considered for mo ment. Yet what other course re- mained? He was breeding deeply on the other subject, in his hangar one evening-Gt was Thursday and Sat urday was but two days off) when there came light knock at the door
 This had never occurred before. He had given strict orders, backed by his brothers authority, that he was never to be intrrded upon when in this place: and though he had some times encountered the pryi2g eyes O the curious flashing from behind the trees encircling the hangar, his door had never been ap- preached before, or his privacy encroached upon He started then, when this low but penetrating sound struck across the turmoil Of his thoughts, and cast one look in the direction from which it came; but he did not rise, or even change his position on his workman's stool
 Then 1t came again, still low be' with an insistence which drew his brows together and made his hand fall from the wire he had been uncon- sciously holding through the mental debate which was absor ping him Still he made no response. and tn knocking continued. Should he ie nore it entirely, start up his moto and render himself oblivious to al other sounds? At every other poin in his career he would have done this but an unknown, and as yet unnamed something had entered his heart dur, ing this fatal month. which made ol ways impossible and oblivion thin he dared not court too recklesgly Should this be summons from Dor is. Should tinconceivable idea, yet i. seized upon him relentlessiy ans would not yield for the askingl should it be Doris herself!
 Taking advantage of a momentary cessation of the ceaseless tap tap, h. listened. Silence was never profound CT than In this forest on that wina less night. Earth and air seemed, to his strained ear, emptied of all sound The chatter of his own steady, un-