The Tupelo journal., 1915-07-30
AnaniaS Shines
Airship
Story of a Troubled
Conscience.
By CLARISSA MACKIE

1T has something to do with Ananias
Slime" was my first thought, for these
two interesting widows, EN- BeviS and
Hetty Rowell. were boldly contesting
for the heart and hand of Ananias
Slime, one time mate of the good ship
Indus and now porter in the Ounce
Harbor bank.
Good morning, Miss Telham," she
gave greeting. "How's Maria's rheu-
matiSm?'
Much better than it was. And how
are your"
The little widow cast a baleful back
ward glance at the department store.
where ! distinctly saw En- Bevis'
sleekly pompadoured head against the
window. I'm fine. Splendid" re-
sponded the Widow Rowell vivacious-
Iy. Have you heard about Mr.. Shines
acceptance? Captain BarnabaS said
Ananias had beer building one. He
makes his trial fight tonight. I'll tell
you something if you won't tell she
added proudly.
You may confde in me. Mrs. Row
ell" l ~reproached her. Il shall be as
silent as the grave"
She drew nearer and whispered:
I'm going up in the airship with
Ananias!'
And while | listened. aghast. she pat
ted my arm and darted away down the
village street.
Suddenly | remembered that l had
an errand at En- Bevis' store, and as
j mounted the steps the door flew open
and Mrs. Bevis' ample form was bow
ing me inside, and her heavy features
relaxed in a generous smile of well
come.
"You heard about Mr., Shines air
ship?' she asked suddenly.
Yes. He makes a trial fight to-
day." | repeated quickly, for / was
mindful of Hetty Rowell's secret lock
ed in my breast.
She glanced toward her two clerks,
young girls, bright eyed and rosy
checked. who were exchanging wit
ticisms with the stage driver, who had
Just delivered an express package.
Hes going TO take a passenger
whispered the Widow Beyis.
"Who? Ned Roberts, l glanced at
the lanky stage driver.
mo; AnaniaS Slime
"Oh. Il passenger in the airshipF' SO
Hetty's secret was no secret after all.
She nodded.
Its ii secret. Perhaps you can
guess" She smiled archly.
YOU ! weakly asked.
Yes. Don't tell a SOUL she caution
ed. although ! am sure she hoped L
would confde the news to Hetty Row
ell
spent the afternoon on the bay
with Captain Barnabas and his wife,
Maria. AS we tied up at the little
landing below the Fish cottage the cap
tain cast a glance at the wind signal.
Not a puff" he CALCULATED. There
isn't a mortal reason why Ananias
can't make that fight tonight"
Bright moonlight. too added Ma
ria. Hurry mp and come to supper
SOS we can 80 right over to Terry's
field. | want a good look at the critter
before it's smashed to bits"
"Will the machine really fly" | ask
ed as we ate a hurried meal.
80 Ananias says returned the cap
tain dryly. Ananias had been his first
mate on many voyages. and Captain
Fish was confident that the truth was
not in Ananias.
When we reached Terry's ten acre
field the moon was lifting "a great sill
yer disk above the pine woods. The
field was flooded with white light, re-
vealing the gathering crowd of villag-
ers.
In the middle of the mOonlit space
was a great white winged object sur
rounded by curious men and boys.
This was Ananias Shines airship.
We approached the awkward looking
object and found Ananias himself,
looking absurdly small in a leather
aviation suit and helmet. He looked
like a brown gnome.
He greeted us with his accustomed
dignity, but even while he explained
the mysteries of the Hawk. as he had
named it. his cold blue eyes were
searching the arriving crowds.
HE is looking for Hetty. or is ii
En- Bevis?' | thought, wondering how
this latest scheme of Mr.. Shines would
work out. Would he have one passen-
ger or two?
A hand plucked at my sleeve. II
was Hetty Rowell. almost unrecog-
nizable in heavy skirt. wooden sweater
under her winter Goa and a green vel
wound around her head and face sc
that only her sharp gray eyes were
visible.
"Hetty. aren't you afraid?' | whis-
pered.
She smiled proudly.
mot with him. Ananias knows ano
understands his " machine
She slipped past me and stood talk.
ing 10 Ananias. who continued to peel
nervously around while he talked.
nj xroc tho cn,1nd of haQCy