Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1914-12-16
CHAPTER II-contInued.

buG IL was not SO uuCA LHO IhN0oAS
that we were attracting attention as
the knowledge that she admired this
man whom /, always an ardent nero
worshiper, had already in mind ap-
propriated for my own. ! don't mean
IN any vulgar sense, OF course. HAD
he had the audacity to speak to me
without a proper introduction, should
have cut him dead, but admired him
as the exponent of q difficult and dan
gerous art He drove like god
Harry and his little affair at home
were nothing to him.
And he did not receive the prizel
We were go diegusted with the
Judges decision that we mutually for
gave each other and resolved TO share
our hero in common. AS for the I'M
known, he did not seem to care bit
He doffsd his cap lightly to the ciamor-
ing multitudes and, descending. turned
to some OF his assistants
What are they going TO do nowf"
asked Estelle-
The next act win be the dangerous,
desperate and death-defying ascension
to an incredible altitude with pas
senger," remarked pudgy gentleman
upon the seat beside us.
OF course turned cold shoulder
upon the impudent fellow. and Estene
only acknowledged his information
with the coolest nod. But still we
could not help possessing this morsel
Of knowledge, and l confess l looked
forward with q thrill of painful ex-
pectation to the hazardous undertak-
ing. and my heart beat faster for the
safety of the unknown.
And then a dreadful thing happened.
The passenger whom our hero had ar
ranged to take on his ascension had
either lost his nerve or hts way; any
how, by the time the others were
ready to start he was still being
sought for among the audience.
Our hero stood not dozen PAGES
away from me, his strong, grave face
turned upward expectantly, scanning
the crowd upon the grand stand, bat
always IN vain. The passenger who
was to accompany him was evidently
not upon the grounds.
Meanwhile, one by one, the other
aeroplanes, with their double freight,
were rising slowly, like great birds.
A couple of stewards, in frock coats
and silk hats, came over to our I'M
known. At the short distance at which
they stood could hear every word dis
tinctly.
Your passenger has not Gomez" de-
manded one of the stewards coolly,
and think there was touch Of ma
Icious pleasure in his voice.
''It appears not" answered the un-
known, Struggling his shoulders. And
then l understood the meaning OF that
malicious information This man was
foreisner-like myself; and. good
sportsmen though they were, the stew
ards could not bat feel natural pleas
ure at the possible removal of one Of
their nations most dangerous rivals.
1T Ia possible" began the aviator
slowly, searching for his words with
painful precision, cit L. possible to
take up volunteer"
NO" snapped one Of the stewards;
and yes" answered the other with
equal volubihty.
Il will look up the exact wording In
the book OF rules" said the first again,
and from his immaculate trock coat
he produced g little leather bound
book, which he inspected through a
pair of gold-rimmed glasses.
Il gather from rule XIV that the
personality of the passenger Ii OF no
consequences" he announced at last
$50, II you can find one, SIR. you may
take up volunteer"
The aviator bowed. IF anyone viii
accompany me-" he murmured, and
the steward advanced directly toward
me and cried In q loud voice:
WIN any gentleman volunteer to
make the ascent with Competitor No.
ST.
At least half dozen gentlemen be-
gan to rise IN their seats.
The aeroplane win ascend to the
highest point possible" he continued
and all but two dropped down again
These remained standing, gazing at
each other sheeptshly.
And then descend with the motor
cut on" he continued; and both of
them fell back with q solid thump that
shook the benches
Il am afraid that no volunteer Is
available, sir said the steward. rettr.
1ng q few steps toward the contestant.
To this day do not know what pos
sesssd me. Was II the sense Of fellow
HhIp In \ strange Land, or snorting In
gtinc*A. or merely contempt tpy the