The Raymer enterprise., 1914-03-26

Hldll-DTd, yt' lHe IdtleT Hdu at dH
times held him at his mercy. For
North, therefore, to follow him alone
through the uncertain simmer of the
moonlight with machine that must
be suffering for rest, oil and adjust
ment. and especially when 1t was
known that his enemy had owl eyes
by dark. was on every hand conceded
to be foolhardiness even by these
men whose daily business was the
risking Of their lives; foolhardness
not consistent with the missing ones
every day leyel-headed judgment 1t
was generally conceded that in the
excitement of the chase and dazzled
| by the size OF the reward he had for
gotten his ordinary good judgment
and had been lured on by the flying
devil to unequal combat, and 1t was
promptly decided that II he had not
returned by morning scout should
be made for him far and wide.
But return in the morning he did,
jaded and weary eyed, and merely
shaking his head in negative reply
as to whether he had had any luck
he left his machine In the care OF
mechanician and went straight to his
hotel for breakfast and nap At
eleven o'clock, however, he arose as
fresh as ever and started back for the
field. March's office happening to be
upon his route, he stepped inside for
a moments chat with his old chum.
Alan was delighted at his safe return.
Tell me about IT," he urged
The aviator laughed carelessly. "Oh.
| was compelled to give it up at last
and come down on those mountain
tops by moonlight. Say, they were
not exactly designed for alightins
upon BY an aeroplane, were they? Bad
landing place, bad-shook things up
quite bit but escaped serious dam.
age Yes, had quite night of it."
He suddenly seemed to think of some.
thing else. changed the subject and
became enthusiastic. by George, old
fellow, that was smashing pretty
girl you had with you yesterday, that
Miss Fulton. Yours?" March sighed
and shook his head dolefully.
mo. The field is open SO far as I
know. Want to enter your name?"
North threw back his head and
laughed, showing his perfect teeth.
'Fraid they'd scratch me as
ringer. Fact is, am engaged to an
other one Just about as pretty as she
Is and fully as sweet. That's the rea.
son am IN this high flying business
not for love of 1t, | assure you, but
for the coin of the realm that is to be
made out of it, You see ! would not
be contented unless ! could have Clare
that's her name, by the way-step-
ping along as high as the rest OF
them and wearing just as good things,
and the only way could think up
whereby ! could get the price in
short time was by skyscraping. She
set up an awful holler when told
her what | was going to do, but
went at 1t just the same, because
there was no way out of 1t. And II
| land that million do you know the
first thing am going to do?"
Get married, of course"
Nope, that would be the second
First thing would be to buy an az
and chop that Blue Dragon of mine
into slivers and then burn the sliynrs
love the old girl all right, but she's
d wanton and devil when she gets
to going and she'll lead me to destruc'
ton yet If don't quit her cold first
So I'd take the ak and put temptation
behind me with one fell swipe. Then
I'd marry Clare In peace and live
happily ever afterwards, and II ! ever
wanted any more excitement I'd Learn
submarine diviEg--Ive had enough
OF being up high. But just because
I'm engaged to girl whom | woulc
not trade for all the rest OF them put
together. that don't prevent me from
appreciating some other thoroughbred
high stopper when ! see her 1t Ia
my innate love of the beautiful crop
ping out, you know, and besides that
am normal human male animal
Hope | will meet her again before !
leave or get killed" March nodded
and turned to the telephone.
Special 199," he called to the oper
ntor North grew suspicious upon the
instant.
Now look here, March," he expos
tulated. Il am no Buttinski, and II
she is yours Just say the word and
Keep still, you idiot. She is an
swering now" He faced the phone
again and began speaking. evidently
in reply.
Yes. 1t is and | am quite we'll
as usual. And, by the way, have
friend here In the office this minute
-one Mr.. North, an alleged aviator
He returned safely this morning. !
imagine he has story to tell, but he
will not unfold 1t to me. However. ]