The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-07-05
A BATTLE IN TIE AIR
BY FRANK FlCsoN.

ter were like brothers. When two men
ascend into the skies daily, risking
life both from a fall and from the bull
lets and shells of the enemy, they are
apt to be drawn closely together.
For three months they had secuted
ahead of the British columns. Os-
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 a
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 we're preparing to
J 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, Os-
borne behind, Carter in front, his
glasses in his hand, ready to note the
dispositions of the enemy's forces.
Ali the while that he was guiding
the machine the rage in Osborne's
heart was increasing. He meant to
kill Carter That his friend had sup
planted him in Mary's affections was,
to him in his condition of mind, an un-
pardonable treachery. He was plan
ming hard when out of the blue ap-
peared tiny speck which resolved
itself into a German monoplane.
Carter grinned at Osborne and shout
ed, but his words could not be heard
above the motor. Osborne nodded and
pointed toward the monoplane. 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
| IN rtn 1nnknd hnpk and
shouted. Osborne could just make out
the meaning of his words. He was d.
recting Osborne to fly diagonally
across the front of the monoplane, sc
that he could get in his shots. Os
borne made as # to do SO; but as the
taube approached, threatening immi
nent destruction, he shot to one side
The two vessels passed broadside
on. The occupant of the taube was
shielded by the metallic framework
while Carter's body was entirely ex
posed. Flashes and shots sprant
from either weapon. and at once thu
two ships were drifting away from
each other.
The look in Carriers eyes almost un
nerved Osborne. He thought of Mary
Lanning. Once more the mad fury
mounted into his brain. AS the ma
chimes approached each other for the
second time. Osborne deliberatel.
steered 80 that Carriers entire bod,
! was exposed to the fire of the Ger
mans automatic.
This time there was no room for {
, miss. Carter collapsed in heap upoI
the chassis of the biplane. Osborne
looked. at the huddled heap in front O
him, and then, ignoring the renewed
, challenge Of the triumphant German
shut off his motor and volplaned down
, | ward.
In a little field the machine cam'
r heavily to earth. Osborne sprang gu
and lifted his companion. The hate II
!. his heart had been succeeded by re
, morse 1t seemed incredible now tina
. he was responsible for Carriers death
. Carter was breathing heavily. HI
i,opened his. eyes, looked up and smiled
. /at' Osborne.
Il Give me-the photograph in m!
, l,pocket," he whispered
: Osborne pulled 1t out and placed 4
: In Carriers hands. Carter studied 1
/. lattentively--then spoke again.
Bend down." he whispered. Il wan
, to tell you that l have-wronged you
deeply. She loves YOU"
} What are you saying?" cried Os
borne wildly.
"She loves you,' Carter muttered
'She did not know where you were.
promised her-7to tell you. Il didn't tel
you because | loved her, Osborne.
hoped she would forget you. But sh'
wouldn't have me. II was you all thu
time, old man. Forgive me-"
His voice gathered strength. Ills
ten," be went on. Il wanted to tel
you-some time. Today, when you
: drove into the line Of fire II though
you knew and were trying to kill me
,, j deserved it."
Il did" shouted Osborne. Il didn'
know she loved me. though, and l hat
seen her photograph fail from YOU
poeAet. tfiep W uuiucf you. Il "ds
mad with Jealousy. My blood be o.
my own head"
II vas not until the surgeon begaI
TO exaSoine Carriers wounds that Os
borne realized they had been found
He watched the doctors face eagerly.
ANY hope?" he asked.
But before the surgeon could reply
Carriers eyes opened again.