The daily Alaskan., 1915-08-16
AnaniaS Shines
 AirShip
Story of a Troubled
 Conscience.
By CLARISSA MACKie


 The very day I arrived at Quince HarbOr I met the Widow Rowell. She was emerging from Elm BeVis' depart ment store, and on her comedy face was a baffled look.
 "It has something to do with Ananias Sline," was my first thought, for these two interesting widows, Elm 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 Quince Harbor bank.
 Good morning, Miss Telham," she gave greeting. "How's Marla's rheu- matismw
 Much better than 1t was. And how are you"
 The little widow cast baleful back ward glance at the department store, where I distinctly saw Elm BeVis' sleekly pOmpadoured head against the window. 'Tm fine! Splendid" re- sponded the Widow Rowell viyacious- 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 eIi," reprOached her. "I shall be as silent as the grave"
 She drew nearer and whispered:
 I'm going up in the airship with Ananlasw
 And while listened, aghast, she pat ted my arm and darted away down the village street
 Suddenly l remembered that I had an errand at Elm Beyis' store, and as 1 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 vel come.
 You heard about Mir. Sline's air ship?" she asked suddenly.
 "Yes. He makes q trial flight to- day." I repeated quickly, for was mindful of Hetty Rowells secret lock ed In my breast.
 She glanced toward her two clerks, young girls, bright eyed and rosy checked, who were exchanging wit tcisms with the stage driver, who had just delivered an express package.
 He's going to take a passenger" whispered the Widow Bevls.
 "WhO2 Ned Roberts?" l glanced at the lanky stage driver.
 'No; Ananias Slime"
 "Oh, q passenger in the airshlp2' So Hetty's secret was no secret after all.
 She nodded.
 "Its secret. Perhaps you can guess" She smiled archly.
 "YouY" l weakly asked.
 "Yes. Don't tell,a soul," she caution ed, although I am sure she hoped l would confide 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 glance at the wind signal.
 Not a puffr' he calculated. "There isn't a mortal reason why Ananias cant 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 a good look at the critter before it's smashed to bits"
 "Wil the machine really ivy" ask ed as we ate hurried meal.
 "So 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 sil- yer disk above the pine woods. The field was flooded with white light, re- vealing the gathering crowd of vIllag- CTS.
 In the middle of the moonlit space was a great white winged object sur rounded by curious men and boys.
 This was Ananias Sline's airShiD.
 We approached the awkward looking object and found Ananias himself looking absurdly small in a leather aviation suit and helmet. He looked Iflyo a brown UDOme
 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 1t Em Bevis?" I thought, wondering how this latest scheme of MT. Sline's would work out. Would he have one passen- ger or two?
 4 hand plucked at my sleeve. It was Hetty Rowell, almost unrecog- nizable In heavy skirt, wOolen sweater under her winter coat and a green veil wound around her head and face so that only her sharp gray eyes were visible.
 "Hetty, aren't you afraidH" I whis- pered.
 Sha smiled DrOui11v