The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1914-03-13


that neat little aluminium cockpit
me is right behind"
Archie Fales buckled a strap around
the captains waist and started the
motor. Then he climbed intoY his. own
seat, placed his hands on the control
wheel. and in three minutes they We're
rocking over the Uneven ground and
rising obliquely to spiral upward I'M
ill they reached the desired height.
Just as they lifted from the ground
there came shout from beneath. and
Captain Phinney looked over and
down to see the Mortified upturned face
Of his wife. calling indistinguishable
words after him. Her hands were
outstretched. and behind her there ran
scattering forms of men. women and
children. So, after all, Captain Phin-
ney's first flight into the blue sky was
witnessed by a crowd of awed on
lockers.
"Tm all right. Lindyw called the
captain as they flew up. But Indy
Phinney didn't hear n sound save the
ominous droning of the monoplane's
engine as the machine bore her hus-
band away.
by the Lord Harry, that's not a
bad way to get rid of nagging wife"
muttered old Samuel Flood as he
stumped past the weeping Mrs. Phin-
ney. Although the words were not
addressed to her. Indy heard them.
and their dreadful import stilled the
cries on her lips and sent her scurry
ing home to hide her fear and grief
behind her own doors.
So she had nagged Lew into flying
away from her. Perhaps he would
never come back again. She was glad
that she had heard from Il neighbor
Of the projected flight. IL she had not
done SD she would never have believed
that her husband would have entered
the flying machine and gone away
without farewell word. If he ever
came back - well. she hoped her
tongue had had lesson. Never again
would she nag him. for he was en-
titled to the rest that he had earned.
While. Linda Phinney mourned her
husband almost as if he had indeed
died-for she had little faith in his re-
turn alive from this mad expedition
the monoplane had risen perhaps 500
feet in the air and was Swimming along
like a huge swallow above the village
of Squirrel Harbor.
This is some sport. eh. captain?"
asked Fales, bending down to shout
the words above the whir of the motor.
'Ye-e-e-s" roared the captain. Il
dunno as ! can stand such IN almighty
lot of it. Mr.. Fales."
Fales laughed The captain only
caught the tail end of the sound. but
it made him turn around and look into
the face of the aviator.
Beneath the concealing helmet. Fales'
face looked shsrp and white and peak
ed, and there was an evil grin dying
away on his thin lips.
Don't turn around that way unless
you want a SPILL" he called sharply.
After that Captain Phinney sat with
eyes fixed on the distant
hills which they were rapidly APP
preaching. Squirrel Harbor and the
blue waters of the sound had long
since disappeared. and they were fly
ing over Il desolate. uncultivated region.
The captain felt touch upon his
shoulder The machine had slowed
down and was almost drifting along
in the air current. Fales' face was
close to his. and his eyes were distinct
~ dangerous.
Captain Phinney." rasped Fales
sharply. "Tll thank you for that So
900"
Give thousand dollarsr beloved
the captain. what do you mean. you
lunatic!"
you know what l mean," retorted
the other with deadly intensity i'm his
tones. 81 want the $4,000 that you
were going to deliver to jeremiah Fen
wick this afternoon in payment for
the schooner Isabelle. Hand it overv'
II tell you. haven't got it!' insist
ed the captain. II amt got five thou
sand to invest in rotten tub like the
She amt worth five hun
dred"-
"Shut upv' screamed the aviator
through his teeth. Now, see here, old
man. no more fooling, understand? ]
brought you up here to get that FIVE
thousand. and if you don't give it to
just look below therer'
Captain Phinney glanced over and
Below were the wicked |
rocks of Devils hollow.
IF you dont-over you gor' laughed
Fales harshly. That's what brought |
you up here for"
You did, eh?" blazed the captain |
And how'll you explain |
the murder, eh?"
Accident, regrettable, but unavoid- |
able! Now that you understand my
terms, captain. shell out"
Captain Phinney laughed. Young |
man, l reckon you've overreached |
Somehow you had word |
hat Captain Phinney was going to |
Jeremiah FeRwick's to hand over So |
100 cash in payment for an old tub of |
l vessel. Well and good. Most any |
oafer in town knows that Captain
Phinney always pays in cash for every |
leal he makes. Somebody tipped you |
N ttot inforp, ofiop on6 ,o, xyo;tad Il