Middletown transcript., 1914-08-01

away. The Monaco officials came ou
Of their buildings and clapped theil
hands enthusiastically 1t was evident
that they had heard the news a1d
looked for pretty comedy, in which
their part would be the rescue of 6
distressed maiden
'Yes, monsieur" 1 continued de
murely.
ITO detain your monoplane." he con
tinued. indicating the great bird, lying
prostrate beside the road, as though
it would never rise again.
"On what charger" 1 asked icily.
There is no charge" he answered,
struggling his shoulders. at Is the
order"
"Hm!" 1 said. Monsieur lie cap
itaine, begin to understand why the
ladies' dislike you"
But what can l do?" he demanded,
coming toward me with a deprecating
action of the hands.
why, monsieur, being in Monaco, l
demand the protection Of this gentle
man. said, pointing to the other cap
tain, who advanced instinctively, his
arm outspread as though to ward from
me some threatening violence.
But you are not threatened, mad
emoiselle," said the French captain.
1T is merely temporary detention Of
the aeroplane. A little adjustment, if
you like. 1 do not know what motive
influences the minister. If you had de-
MED your name"
That touched my pride He WINGED
under the words that flowed spontane-
ously from my tongue, derogatory as
they were toward the gallantry of the
French nation.
"And in any event." added, "the
monoplane, being half in the territory
of Monaco, does not come under your
supervision"
The mask of politeness fell from his
manner. He answered roughly:
THAT part that is here stays, mad
emoiselle."
"And your part?" said, turning to
the Monaco officer.
"It goes, mademoiseIle," he an
swered readily.
'In that case,' said, you will per
NIT me to take my seat on the part of
the mechanism which is in your coun-
try?"
by all means. mademoiselle. he an
swered.
you cannot divide an aeroplane,"
cried the Frenchman rudely. IF you
do, it shall be with an axe"
"If you will permit one of your men
to draw line between the two boun-
dary pillars" hazarded to the Mo-
naco captain.
He caught at the idea. He ran for
ward and, with his toe, drew a fairly
straight line in the dust "The ma
chine lies more than half across the
border" he cried.
"And the motor wholly" whis-
Dered.
He was intelligent, this Monaco Of |
icer. He fairly beamed on me as l |
seated myself. The French captain,
beside himself with anger, ran forward |
md placed his hands firmly around |
he girders that covered French terri
ory. "Stir at your peril!" he shouted. |
20, monsieur" 1 said reproachfully,
this is an unpleasant ending to your
And after what you said
ast night"
PRAY descend, mademoiselle," he
'ntreated. ut is an order. Do not hold
ne responsible"
started the motor and the wheels
hot forward. Next moment the
was rolling down the steep
,ank Of the ditch, while his confreres
leld their sides, helpless with laugh
er. Another instant and I was rising,
overing-and over French territory.
circled the guardhouse, and then,
nth a, sudden access of speed, shot
orward turned and waved my hand,
arrowly escaping a somersault
through the air as I did 80.
"Adieu, mademoiselle," shouted the
Ionaco officer, and then i saw the
'renchman rise painfully from the
itch and heard him give utterance to
he most exuberantly free flow of Ian
uage that have ever heard upon a
lips. Positively could
OF stay to listen to it. So turned on
le speed to the full extent, shot like /
n arrow upward, spun over the gam
ling hills. to the intense astonishment {