The Elbert County tribune., 1916-05-12

A'' W
He Smiled and TwIrled His Mustache
Jauntily.
away The Monaco officials came out
of their buildings and clapped their
hands enthusiastically. 1t was evident
that they had heard the news and
looked for pretty comedy. in which
their part would be the rescue of a
distressed maiden.
Yes, monsieur?" 1 continued de-
murely.
ITO detain your monoplane." he con-
tinued. indicating the great bird, lying
PROSTATE beside the road. as though
it would never rise again.
"On what charger" asked icily.
There is no charge" he answered.
struggling his shoulders. 1T rs the
order"
"Hm!" l said. Monsieur lie cap
itaine. begin to understand why the
ladies' dislike you"
But what can l do?" he demanded,
coming toward me with deprecating
action OF the hands.
why, monsieur, being In Monaco,
demand the protection of this gentle
man." said. pointing to the other cap
tain. who advanced instinctively. his
arm outspread as though to ward from
me some threatening violence.
But you are not threatened, mad
emoiselle." said the French captain.
1T is merely temporary detention of
the aeroplane. A little adjustment, If
you like. l do not know what motive
influences the minister. If you had de-
MED your name"
That touched my pride. He WINGED
under the words that flowed spontane-
ously from my tongue, derogatory as
they were toward the gallantry of the
French nation.
"And in any event." / added, "the
monoplane, being half in the territory
of Monaco. does not come under your
supervision"
The mask of politeness fell from his
manner. He answered roughly:
THAT part that is here stays. mad
emoiselle."
And your part?" 1 said, turning to
the Monaco officer.
TT goes, mademoiselle," he an
swered readily.
"In that case" said. you will per
NIT me to take my seat on the part of
the mechanism which is in your coun-
try?"
by all means, mademoiselle," he an
swered.
You cannot divide. an aeroplane."
cried the Frenchman rudely. "If you
do, it shall be with an axe"
"If you will permit one of your men
to draw line between the two boun-
dary pillars" l hazarded to the Mo-
naco captain.
He caught at the idea. He ran for
ward and. with his toe, drew a fairly
straight line in the dust. "The ma
chine lies more than half across the
border he cried.
And the motor wholly" whis-
pered.
He was intelligent, this Monaco Of
ficer. He fairly beamed on me as |
seated myself. The French captain.
beside himself with anger. ran forward
and placed his hands firmly around
he girders that covered French terri
tory. Stir at your peril!" he shouted.
20. monsieur" I said reproachfully
|
hospitality. And after what you said
last night"
Pray descend. mademolselle." he
entreated. "It is an order. Do not hold
me responsible"
| started the motor and the wheels
SHOT forward. Next moment the
Frenchman was rolling down the steep
bank of the ditch, while his confreres
held their sides, helpless with laugh
ter. Another instant and | was rising.
hovering-and over French territory.
circled the guardhouse. and then,
with a sudden access OF speed, shot
forward. | turned and waved my hand.
narrowly escaping somersault
through the air as | did so.
"Adieu. mademoiselle." shouted the
Monaco officer, and then saw the
Frenchman rise painfully from the
ditch and heard him give utterance to
the most exuberantly free flow OF lam
guage that l have ever heard upon a
Frenchman's lips. Positively | could
not stay to listen to 1t. So turned on
the speed to the full extent, shot like
an arrow upward. spun over the gam
bling hills to the intense esbnishment