Mansfield mirror. (Mansfield, Wright County, Mo.) 1908-1957, 1914-02-19
cepsrish+. 1o1a. by Harry Irving Greene

1A1e eAo "a eASut SoPo~Aty oh>
power. Thin and elastic but exceed
ingly tough wings compressible within
a small compass and operated BY
tremendous muscles as strong as those
OF the legs Of a horse. Scanty but
exceedingly firm flesh. Legs similar
to those OF a wading bird, all bone ant
sinew, the bones strong. light ant
hollow. And while he appears to be
fully seven feet tall l should not ex
pect him to weigh as much as an or
binary man" March grinned remi
%niscently.
Although he certainly possesses
the strength of two. exclusive OF his
wings. which certainly have at least
a one-mule power kick in a forward
direction. His blood being partially
cold might signify WHAT"
THAT he possesses some Of the
characteristics of the reptiles, is OIL
a rather low order Of intelligence ant
more or less OF a reptilian nature
For instance, there are few reptiles
that possess a natural antipathy fol
man, and on the other hand neither dc
they fear him particularly. Unless he
approaches them too closely they ig
more him, II he does threaten then
they either slowly out Of the
way or prepare to combat him. I'm
less aroused, they are content to lei
him pass; It. injured they often become
exceedingly vindictive and greatly to
be feared"
Therefore, II Clay had not at
tackled him 1t Is quite probable that he
would not have attacked u.s."
81 so judge from what | saw Of him
that evening and from my later specu
lations. However, we must not be toe
evere on Clay, for his intentions were
Of the best" The Professor raised
his glasses. as this not Miss Fulton
and Mr.. Tolliver approaching?"
Alan glanced in the direction indi'
Gated and saw the pair hurrying
towards them. Almost upon a run
the girl came. and taking the astrono'
mer's hand clasped it warmly. Her
cheeks were aglow, her eyes alight,
her whole being radiating excitement
and enthusiasm. She gave them no
time to speak.
Wasn't it glorious-the way they
arose and swept after him! Oh. how
admired them! And most Of all Mr.,
North-his dash and skill completely
won me. | hope he wins the prize,
for l know he is generous enough to
divide a part of it with the others. II
I were a nan | should certainly be an
aviator-although of course l would
not permit any man whom was inter
ested in to be one for a moment. !
prefer my friends should live in peace
rather than die in pieces. And while
you folks were simply staring stupidity
after them l seemed to float and soar
by their side with the wind in my ears
and my whole body thrilling. l wish
| could make you understand how ex.
citing 1t vas as we leaped and bound,
ed through the air. But of course
men cannot understand such sensa.
lions, they are too animalistic. And
how is your forehead, Professor" She
stopped for lack Of breath.
Desmond smiled down into her
glowing face. ut is painless. You
remember you helped cleanse 1t that
night! Well, all the pain and sore
ness were banished by the magic of
your touch and 1t was practically
healed before 1t was bandaged." She
sunk low with skirt spread, curtseying
quantity, old ~fashionedly.
"lf the younger men were only half
as gallant as the gentlemen of the
generation that preceded them how
happy we girls would be. You shall
dine with us for that" She turned
upon March. And now your account
of yourself. sir-your explanation for
not searching me out"
March looked quickly from n to
the other Of the returned pair. AS
Doris appeared to be in the highest Of
spirits. so also did Tolliver. and jeal-
ousy stung him to the quick. Why
this exuberance? Why Tolliver's un-
usually light manner and. as the
searcher thought, triumphant smile?
What had happened In his absence
what had passed between them? He
answered her lamely enough.
North and / had Just returned
from his luncheon when he espied the
enemy. The rest had not seen him