Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1916-11-28

The Chase Of.
An Aeroplane
And What Resulted
TherefrOm.
By AGNES q. BROdAN

+ By AGNES q. BROdAN +
i-s-s-s-ssss.sssis-ss-i+-s-s-ilissssissss
When the house that had been build
Ing opposite where Madge Carlton
lived was finished, the refuse removed
and the grounds had been leveled and
sodded Madgc looked upon the place
with envy. Tie house was as dainty
as a Swiss cottage. On the grounds
here and there were little clumps Of
evergreens, while the whole was sur
rounded by hedge.
"Tll bet that house." said Madge to
herself, twas built by an artistic archi-
tect and the grounds were laid out BY
a landscape gardener"
Madgc had II taste for pretty places,
and the burden Of her desires was to
be mistress Of one. The house oppo-
site suited her exactly.
The next passion to covetousness
that took possession Of Madge Carlton
was curiosity. Who would occupy 1t
when finished? Would 1t be an old
woman living alone. with no one to
comfort her? Would It be a middle
aged couple with many small children? ?
Would there be an unmarried man In
the family, and would he be-nice?
That was the womanly way OF ex-
pressing It. 1t was not: Would he be
heroic? Would he be manly? Would
he be honorable? No: it was not any
of these alone. but all In one. and that
one was expressed in the word nice.
She hoped there would be a single
man In the new house, that he would
be nice and OIL these hopes rested a
third. We shall see whether or not
this third hope was gratifed.
One morning large posters decorated
the town where Madge lived announc'
Ing that III exhibition would be given
by IN aeronaut. Every member Of
her family except Madge was on tiptoe
Of excitement to see the performance.
On the morning Of its occurrence she
was sitting on the porch. She was
looking ut the new house opposite
whieh h was now occupied. From 1t she
turnc.l her gaze upon the throng who
passed continuously on their way to
the city pleasure grounds. where the
famous bird man was due to arrive IN
his wonderful 'aeropiane, and to give
there his exhibition. Her own family
had gone long ago, and Madge had
shaken her head in decided refusal at
her brothers Invitation to join them.
"NO, thank you," she answered. Il
wouldn't walk as far as the corner on
hot day like this to see all the aero
planes IN the world. This cool veranda
suits me much better"
She rocked back and forth now, en-
joying the light breeze which softly
tapped the awnings, her little bare
arms clasped high above her head. The
last football died away, and the shady
avenue was unusually silent, when
presently there came from out the sky
q loud humming noise as Of q giant
bee. Nearer 1t drew-still nearer.
echoing and resounding in the stiffness,
until at length, pellmell from verandas
and doorways. people ran focking into
the street:
ut is coming" they called to each
other; 1T is coming: 1t Is here"
Madge leaned forward excitedly.
High across the cloudless blue. with
great outstretched wings like some
monstrous bird, there rushed dark
object. Onward 1t went, straight as
an arrow. never swerving from Its
course, never ceasing in its mad flight
until screening trees hid it from view
Of the watchers.
Wildly the crowd gave chase, hoping
to get another glimpse in the next
clearing Of this wondrous. whirring
thing.
Without an instant's hesitation
Madge, who had scorned her brothers
enthusiasm, now breathlessly followed
the crowd. Over the lawn and down
the street twinkled the heels Of her
little white shoes. She fell at the curb
and when kindly hand assisted her
to rise hurried on again without civil
thank you" With fine disregard she
tripped lightly across the road before
the very lamps Of racing automobile
There 1t isv' said q triumphant
voice.
"WhereT she cried.
"Above the tallest tree" the voice
answered.
II cannot see it." Madge said impa
dently,
A hand reached over her shoulder
pointing Upward.
"If you will look exactly where I tel
you" the owner Of the hand suggested
you will zee It,"
II do now" she replied. ut Is grow
ing smaller. 1t must be very high up
"About 1900 feet" the voice answer
ed exultantly.
Madge gave little cry Of disap
pointment.
"Oh. It Is goner' she said. "Can''
we see It farther onr'
Tie man looked around quickly.
"This way!" he called. and raj
swiftly up a wide, graveled path. Sh'
started bravely in pursuit. then stoot
still
II cannot go another step" she an
swered wearily.
The man.turned back.
"Let me help you" he said, and i'm
mediately slipped his arm beneath be-
own. It was a very strong arm
Madge accepted it's aid unquestionipg
" and was conscious Of comforting
sense Of protection throughout be-
confusing Digit. They rested at las
upon q broad expanse Of lovely lawn
"Stand just here" the man com
manded, "and you VIII have an unob
structed view" AM
Madge the willful meekly obeyed
gazing in awed silence until the "shiI
Of the sky" had sailed far into the dis
tance. its .throbbing engines sendini
back no sound. Then with its disap
pearance her strange excitement seem
ed to vanish. She turned, half daSed
tly, to look into the eyes Of her compan
lon. Att
"where are wer she asked slowly.
The young man In turn regarded ni