The daily Alaskan., 1915-07-13
AnaniaS Sline'S
 AirShip
Story of a Troubled
 Conscience.
By CLARlSSA MACKIG

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 The very day arrived at Quince Harbor I met the Widow Rowell. She was emerging from Em Bevis' depart ment store, and on her comely face was a batled look
 Ut has something to do with Ananias Slime" was my first thought, for these | two interesting widows, Elm Bevis and Hetty Rowell, were boldly conteSting for the heart and hand of Ananias Sine, one time mate of the good ship Indus and now porter In the QuinCe | Harbor bank.
 Good morning, Miss Telham," she gave greeting. Flows Maria's rheu- matism"
 Much better than 1t was. And how are yOu?"
 The little widow cast a baleful back ward glance at the department store, where I distinctly saw Em Bevis' sleekly pompadoured head against the window. I'm fine! Splendid~ re- sponded the Widow Rowell vivacious- ly. Have you heard about Mir. Sline's aeroplane? Captain Barnabas said Ananias had been building one. He makes his trial flight tonight I'll tell you something if you won't tell" she added proudly.
 "You may confide In me, Mrs. Row eli," reproached her. "I shall be as silent as the grave"
 She drew nearer and whispered:
 I'm going up in the alrship with Ananlas"
 And while listened, aghast, she pat ted my arm and darted away down the village street.
 Suddenly I remembered that had an errand at Elm Bevis' store and as mounted the steps the door flew open ! and Mrs. Bevis' ample form was bow ing me inside, and her heavy features relaxed in q generous smile of wei come.
 You heard about MT. Sline's Rir- ship?' she asked suddenly.
 "Yes. He makes a trial flight to- day." I repeated quickly, for was mindful of Hetty ROwelrs secret lock cd 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.
 He's going to take passenger" ," whispered the Widow Bevis.
 "Who? Ned Roberts" l glanced at | the lanky stage driver.
 "No; Ananias Slime"
 "Oh, a passenger in the airship?" So | Hetty's secret was no secret after all.
 She nodded.
 "Its a secret. Perhaps you can guess" She smiled archly.
 "You?" I weakly asked.
 "Yes. Don't tell soul," she caution ed, although I am sure she hoped I would confde the news to Hetty Row ell.
 I 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 mortal reason why Ananias can't make that flight tonight"
 Bright moonlight, too," added Ma ria. Hurry up and come to supper sos we can go right over to Terry's field. I want q good look at the critter before It's smashed to bits"
 "Wiu the machine really hy?' ask ed as we ate a hurried meal.
 "So Ananlas says" returned the cap l 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 sil- yer disk above the pine woods. The i field was flooded with white light, re- vealing the gathering crowd of vilag- CTS.
 In the middle of the mOOnlit space was a great white winged object sur rounded by curious men and boys.
 This was Ananias SIine's 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 it Elm BevisY I thought, wondering how this latest scheme of MT. Sline's would work out. Would he have one passen- ger or two?
 A hand plucked at my sleeve. It was Hetty Roweu, almost unrecog- 1 nizable in heavy skirt, woolen sweater under her winter coat and q green veil wound around her head and face so that only her sharp gray eyes were | visible.
 "Hetty, aren't you afraid?' I whis- pered.
 She smiled proudly,