The Lamar register. [volume] (Lamar, Colo.) 1889-1952, 1915-06-23
A BATTLE IN THE AIR
BY FRANK FILsok.

NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. OspOTue anu Sdi
ter were like brothers, When two men
ascend into the skies daily. risking
life both from = 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-
err. Osborne, seated behind. guided
the aeroplane. while Carter showered
bombs upon the hostile batteries. or
scanned the landscape.
II was q little thing that changed
the situation completely SO far as Os'
borne WAS concerned He had been
engaged to Mary tanning; the engage
ment had been broken on 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 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 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 handed back the
package to Carter and got into the
aeroplane. The two assembled. Os-
In hta
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 I'M
pardonable treachery. He was plan
ming hard when out OF the blue ap-
peared a 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 1t. and soon the
great doye-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. 80
that he could get In his shots. Os-
borne made as II to do SO: but as the
taube approached, threatening immi-
pent destruction. he shot to one side
The two vessels passed broadside
on. The occupant OF the tsube 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
sach other.
The look In Carriers eyes almost I'M
nsrved Osborne. He thought OF Mary
tanning 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 Carriers entire body
was exposed to the fire OF the Ger
mans automatic.
This time there Was no room for
miss. Carter collapsed In q 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 OF 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. II seemed incredible now tl1t
he was responsible for Carter's death
Carter was breathing heavily. lie
opened his eyes. looked up and smil. /
at Osborne.
Give me-the photograph In my
pocket" he whispered
Osborne pulled 1t out and placed II
In Carter's hands. Carter studied II
attentively-then spoke again.
Bend down." he whispered. Il want
to tell you that l hsye-wronged yoI
deeply. She loves you"
What are you sayingf" cried os
borne wildly.
she loves you," Carter muttereG