The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-06-18
A BATTLE IN THE AIR
BY FRANK FILsoN.

l
| Flight-Lieutenants Osborne and Car
ter were like brothers. When two men
ascend into the skies daily, risking
life both from a fall and from the bull
let's 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-
or. Osborne. seated behind. guided
the aeroplane, while Carter showered
bombs upon the hostile batteries. or
scanned the landscape.
1t was 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 we're preparing to
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 a
bundle of papers. among them a photo
graph. The photograph was that Of
Mary LanninA 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 ascended, Os-
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 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 APP
peared tiny speck which resolved
itself into 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
on its course. Carter looked back 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, so
that he could get in his shots. Os-
borne made as II to do SO; but as the
taibe 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 sprang
from either weapon. and at once the
two ships were drifting away from
each other.
The look in Carter's eyes almost un-
peryed 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 deliberately
steered SO that Carter's entire body |
was exposed to the fire Of the Ger
mans automatic.
This time there was no room for q
miss. Carter collapsed in a heap upon |
the chassis of the biplane. Osborne
looked at the huddled heap in front of |
him, and then, ignoring the renewed |
challenge of the triumphant German, |
shut off his motor and volplaned down
ward
In little field the machine came
heavily to earth. Osborne sprang out
and lifted his companion. The hate In |
his heart had been succeeded by re-
morse. 1t seemed Incredible now that
he was responsible for Carter's death.
Carter was breathing heavily. He |
opened his eyes. looked up and smiled
at Osborne.
Give me-the photograph in my /
pocket" he whispered
Osborne pulled 1t out and placed 1t
In Carter's hands. Carter studied 1t |
attentively--t spoke again.
BEND down. he whispered. II want
to tell you that have--wronged you
deeply She loves YOU"