The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1915-07-24
A BATTLE IN THE AIR
BY FRANK FILSoN.

Copyright, 1915. by w. G. Chapman)
F1ightLieutenants 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
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
1t 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 were preparing to
ascend, Carter tripped over a rope
and fell. In falling, he dropped a 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 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 handel 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.
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 ap-
peared a 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 di-
, recting Osborne to fly diagonally
, across the front of the monoplane, so
, that he could get in his shots. Os-
borne made as if 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 Carriers 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 I'M
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
SGCOuu oSOOIue dCiAb@AolSAI
: steered so that Carriers entire body
: was exposed to the fire of the Ger
mans automatic.
This time there was no room for a
: 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
a ward.
II In a little field the machine came
4 heavily to earth. Osborne sprang out
= and lifted his companion. The hate in
a his heart had been succeeded by re-
morse. 1t seemed incredible now that
he was responsible for Carriers 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 it out and placed II
g in Carriers hands. Carter studied II
. attentively-then spoke again.
e Bend down. he whispered. 81 want
!, to tell you that l have-wronged you
: deeply. She loves YOU
What are you saying?" cried Os
r. borne wildly.
he "She loves yuu," Carter muttered
Id "She did not know where you were.
n promised her-to tell you. l didn't tel
m you because | loved her, Osborne.
or hoped she would forget you But she
In wouldn't have me. 1t was you all the
| time old Forgive me.
His voice gathered strength. Lis
ten," he went on. 81 wanted to tel
=. you-some time. Today, when yo'
- drove into the line of fire IL though
- you knew and were trying to kill me
!. / deserved it."
81 did" shouted Osborne 81 didn'