The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-25
A BATTLE IN The AIR
BY FRANK FlLsoN.


ascend into the skies daily, risklng
life both from a fall and from the bull
lets and shells of the enemy, they are
ant to be drawn closely together.
For three months they had secuted
ahead of the British columns. U.s.
borne was the pilot, Carter the observ.
er. Osborne, seated behind, GUIDED
the aeroplane, while Carter showered
bombs upon the hostile batteries, or
scanned the landscape.
It was a little thing that changed
the situation completely so far as os-
borne was concerned. He had been
engaged to Mary Lanning; the engage
ment had been broken off owing to
foolish quarrel. Desperate with love
and jealousy, but too proud to own
himself in the wrong, Osborne had
been eating his heart out with the
secret passions that consumed him.
AS the two men were preparing 10
ascend, Carter tripped over a rope
and fell. In falling, he dropped pack
age from his pocket. Osborne stopped
and picked it up for him. 1t was
bundle of papers, among them photo
graph. The photograph was that OF
Mary Lanning. Osborne knew that
Carter was engaged to be married.
The black rage that overcame him
made any reference to the matter I'M
| possible. Osborne handed back the
package to Carter and got into the
| aeroplane The two assembled, U.s.
borne behind, Carter in front, his
| glasses in his hand, ready to note the
dispositions of the enemy's forces.
All the while that he was guiding
| the machine the rage in Osbornes
heart was increasing. He meant to
| kill Carter That his friend had sup
planted him in Marys affections was,
to him in his condition of mind, an I'M
pardonable treachcry. He was plan
ming hard when out Of the blu" ap-
peared tiny speck which resolved
itself into German monoplane.
Carter grinned at Osborne and shout
ed. but his words could moi be heard
above the motor. Osborne nodded and
pointed toward the ucIlane, whose
outlines were now. distinctly discern
ible He drove in on it, and soon the
great dove-like implement Of war, with
its waiting pilot and observer, was
within the mile
Osborne wheeled and approached
the taube, which had also returned up
on its course. Carter looked back anc
shouted. Osborne could just make Out
the meaning of his words. He was di
recting Osborne to fly DIAGONAL!
across the front of the monoplane, 81
that he could get in his shots. Os
borne made as If to do so; but as tn
taube approached, threatening imml
nent destruction, he shot to one SIDE
The two vessels passed broadsid
on. The occupant of the taube wa
: shielded by the. metallic framework
while Carriers body was entirely eS
posed. Flashes and shots spran
from either weapon, and at once tn
two ships were drifting away fror
each other.
The look in Carter's eyes almost III
: nerved Osborne. He thought of Mar
Lanning. Once more the mad fur
, mounted into his brain. AS the mt
, chimes approached each other for tn
!, second time. Osborne deliberatel
steered so that Carriers entire bod
was exposed to the fire Of the &c
, mans automatic.
, This time there was no room for
, miss. Carter collapsed in heap upo
!. the chassis of the biplane. Osborn
looked at the huddled heap in front
= him, and then, ignoring the renewe
challenge of the triumphant Germa
q shut off his motor and volplaned dow
s ward.
=. In a little field the machine can
). heavily to earth. Osborne sprang o.
O and lifted his companion. The hate
a his heart had been succeeded by I
n morse. It seemed incredible now tn
d he was responsible for Carriers deaf
e Carter was breathing heavily.
n opened his eyes, looked up and smii
le at Osborne.
10 "Give me-the photograph In .
TT pocket" he whispered.
d. Osborne pulled it out and placed
Ia in Carter's hands. Carter studied
attentively-then spoke again.
Bend down." he whispered. Il wa
to tell you that have-wronged y
nj deeply. She loves you"
IN What are you saying?" cried
borne wildly.
30 "She loves YOU" Carter mutter
y. "She did not know where you were
~ promised her-to tell you. l didn't
- you because l loved her, Osborne.
~ hoped she would forget you. But
- wouldn't have me. 1t was you all
time. old man. Forgive me-"
M. His voice gathered strength. Il
\, ten," he went on. Il wanted to
A. you-some time Today, when !
on drove into the line of fire IL thou
,at you knew and were trying to kill
ct, deserved it."
lly Il did," shouted Osborne Il die
on know she loved me, though, and
Id. seen her photograph fall from y
pocket tried to murder you.
mad with jealousy. My blood be
the my own head"
ow It was not until the surgeon be
ost to examine Carriers wounds that
In borne realized they had been TO,
hat He watched the doctors face cage
md ANY hope?" he asked.
lsn- But before the surgeon could n
der c.rtor,s ovos onened again