The Raymer enterprise., 1914-12-24

creation. But, speaking Of ,volplaning,
I've had three lessons this week. Next
! week Bronson says I'll be flying like
gull. Cad, it's wonderful. I've had
two tumbles, that's all--little ones,
OF course-net result barked knee
and peeled elbow"
Watch out you're not flying like
an angel before you get through with
1t, Les" cautioned the painter. II see
that . well-known society leader in
Chicago was killed yesterday"
oh. I love the danger there is In
It," said Wrandall carelessly. That's
what gives zest to the sport"
Il love 1t. too," said Hetty, her eyes
agleam. THE glorious feel of the
wind as you rush through It! And
yet one seems to be standing perfect
ly still In the air when one is half a
mile high and going fifty miles an
hour Oh. 1t is wonderful, Mr.. Wran-
DALI"
I'll take you out In a week or two.
Miss Castleton. II you'll trust your.
self with me-"
Il will co." she announced promptly.
Booth frowned. Better wait a
Bit" he counseled. risky business,
Miss Castleton, flying about with
fiedgelings."
"oh, come now!" expostulated
Wrandall with some heat Don't be
a wet blanket, old man"
I was merely suggesting she'd bet
ter wait till you've got used to your
wings"
Jimmy Van Wickle took his wife
with him the third time up" said Les
lie, as II that were the last word In
aeroplaning.
Its common report that she keeps
Jimmy level. no matter where she's
got him." retorted Booth.
Il dare say Miss Castleton can
hold me level" said Leslie, with a pro-
found bow to her. Cant you, Miss
Castleton"
She smiled. "Oh, as for that, Mr..
Wrandall. think we can all trust you
to cling pretty closely to your own
level"
Rather ambiguous. that" he re-
marked dublously.
"She means you never get below It,
Leslie" said Booth. enjoying himself.
That's the one great principle in
aeroplanlng," said Wrandall, quick to
recover. Vivian says I'll break my
neck some day. but admits 1t will be
heroic way Of doing 1t. Much nobler
than pitching out Of an automobile or
catapulting over a horses head In
Central park" He paused for effect
before venturing his next conclusion.
1T must be ineffably sublime, being
squashed-or Is 1t squshed ?-after
drop Of mile or so, isn't it?"
He looked to see Miss Castleton
Vince, and was somewhat dashed to
find that she was looking out of the
window, quite oblivious to the peril
he was In fguratively for her special
consideration.
Booth was acutely reminded that
the term "prig" as applied to Leslie
was misnomer; he hated the
thought Of the other word, which re-
fiectively he rhymed with pad"
1t occurred to him early In the
course Of this onesided discussion
that the hostess was making no ef-
fort to take part In It. whether from
lack OF interest or because of its friv-
olous nature he was, of course un-
able to. determine. Later. he was
struck by the curious pallor OF her
face, and the lack.luster expression
OF her eyes. She seldom removed her
gaze from Wrandalls face, and yet
there persisted In the observers
mind the rather uncanny impression
that she did not hear a word her
brother-in.law was saying. He, In
turn, took to watching her covertly.
At no time did her expression change.
For reasons of his own, he did not
attempt to draw her into the conyer-
sation, fascinated as he was by the
study OF that beautiful, emotionless
face. Once he had the queer sensa-
tion Of feeling, rather than seeing, a
haunted look in her eyes. but he put
1t down to fancy on his part.
And Leslie babbled on In blissful
ignorance Of, not to say disregard for,
this strange ghost at the feast for,
to Booths mind. the ghost OF Challis
Wrandall was there.
Turning to Miss Castleton with a
significant look In his eyes, meant to
to call her attention to Mrs. Wrandall,
he was amazed to find that every yes
tige Of color had gone from the girls
face. She was listening to WrandalI
and replying In monosyllables, but
that she was aware of the other wom-
ans abstraction was not for an In
stant to be doubted. Suddenly, after
quick glance at sara's face, she
looked squarely into Booths eyes, and
he saw in hers an expression OF actual
concern. II not alarm.
Leslie was In the middle OF a SEN
tence when Sara laughed aloud, with.
out excuse or reason. The next In
stant she was looking from one to the
other In dazed sort Of way, a. II
coming out Of dream.