The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-10-19
The Chase Of
An Aeroplane
And What Resulted
TherefrOm.
By AGNES G. BROGAN

Wu0u Cue house Judt udu Dtcu uuilu-
ing opposite where Madge Carlton
lived was finished. the refuse removed
and the grounds had been leveled and
sodded Madge looked upon the place
with envy. The house was as dainty
AZ a Swiss cottage. On the grounds
here and there We're little clumps of
evergreens, while the whole was sur
rounded by hedge.
''I'll bet that house." said Madge to
herself twas built by an artistic archi-
tect and the grounds were laid out by
q landscape gardener"
Madge had 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 it
when finished? Would it be an old
woman living alone, with no one to
comfort her? Would 1t 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 1t. 1t was not: Would he be
heroic? Would he be manly? Would
he be honorable? No; 1t was not any
Of these alone, but all in enc, 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 on these hopes rested a
third. We shall see whether or not
this third hope was gratifled.
One morning large posters decorated
the town where Madge lived announc
ing that an exhibition would DO given
BY an 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 at the new house opposite
which was now occupied. From It she
turned 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 aeroplans, 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
mo, thank you," she answered 81
wouldn't walk as far as the corner on
q 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
loud humming noise as of giant
bee. Nearer it drew-still nearer.
echoing and resounding in the stiffness,
until at length, pellmell from verandas
and doorways. people ran flocking into
the street:
1T is coming" they called to each
other; 1T is coming; it is here"
NA"uSC icdheu loIWdTu eAc1CeulV.
High across the cloudless blue, with
great outstretched wings like some
monstrous bird, there rushed dark
object. Onward it went, straight as
an arrow. never swerving from its
course, never ceasing In its mad flight
until screening trees hid 1t 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 a racing automobile.
''There 1t is!' said a triumphant
voice.
"Where?" she cried.
"Above the tallest tree" the voice
answered.
II cannot see it." Madge said impa
tiently.
A hand reached over her shoulder.
pointing upward.
IF you will look exactly where tell
you." the owner of the hand suggested.
you will see it,
Il do now" she replied. "1t 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, 1t is gonew she said. Cant
we see 1t farther ony'
The man looked around quickly.
This way.' he called. and ran
swiftly up wide, graveled path. She
started bravely In pursuit. then stood
still
Il cannot go another STEP" she an
swered YEARLY.
The man turned back.
Let me help you" he said. and i'm
mediately slipped his arm beneath her
own. 1t was very strong arm
Made aoann&.1