Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1916-04-27
CHAPTER XXI.
Winus of the Morninu.

Wings of the Morning.
About half past six Lanyard LETT the
dressing room assigned him in the bar
racks at Port Aviation and, waddling
quantity III the heavy wind-proof gar
ments provided at the instance of Du-
croy, made his way between two hang
ars to the practice cid.
Now the eastern SHES were pulsing
! fitfully with promise of dawn; but
within the vast Enclosure of the aero
! dome the gloom of night fingered so
stubbornly that two huge searchlights
had been pressed into the service Of
those engaged in tuning up the motor
| OF the Parrot biplane.
In their intense, white, concentrated
| glare-that rippled oddly upon the
/ wrinkled, oily garments Of the dozen
| or so mechanics busy about the ma
| chine-the under sides of those wide,
motionless planes hung against the
! dark with an effect of impermanence-
as though they were already afioat
and needed but breath to send them
/ winging skyward
At one side number of young and
! keen-faced Frenchmen, officers of the
corps, were lounging, overlooking the
preparations with alert and intelligent
! interest.
On the other, all the majesty of Mars
was incarnate in the rotund person Of
! NJ. Ducroy, posing valiantly in fur
| lined coat and shining tOp-hat while
! he chatted with an officer of tall, ath-
letic figure who wore an air of uncom-
mon efficiency together with his await
! ing uniform.
AS Lanyard drew near, this man
brought his heels together smartly,
saiuted the minister of war and strobe
off toward the flying machine.
Captain Vauquelin informs me he
will be ready to start in five minutes,
monsieur" Ducroy announced. you
are just in time"
And mademoiselle?" the adyentuTer
asked, peering anxiously around.
Almost Immediately the girl came
forward from the shadows with a smile
| apologize for the strangeness of her
attire.
She had donned, over her street
dress, simple leather garment which
enveloped her completely and but
| toned tight round wrists and ankles
Her small hat, too, had been replaced
| by a leather helmet-cap which left
only her eyes, nose, mouth and chin
| exposed, and even these were soon to
be hidden by heavy veil for prOtec-
ton against scattering oil.
'MademciselIe is not nervOus-eh?"
Ducroy inquired politely.
Lucy smiled brightly.
81? Why should l be, monsieur?"
II trust mademoiseIIe will permit me
to commend her courage. Pardon! |
have one last word for the ear of Cap
! tain VauQuelin.'
Lifting his hat, the Frenchman
joined the group near the machine.
Lanyard stared unaffectedIy at the
girls face, unable to disguise his won
der at the high spirits advertised by
her rekindled color and brilliant eyes
"Weu?" she demanded gayly. Don't
tell me l don't look like fright!
know l do"
Il daren't tell you how you look to
me-" Lanyard replied soberly. But
| will say this, that for sheer, down
right pluck, you"
Thank you, monsieur! And your"
He glanced with deprecatory smile
at the fiimsy-looking contrivance to
which they were presently to intrust
their lives.
Somehow" said he doubtfully, q
don't feel in the least upset or eXhil-
arated. 1t seems little out of the aY-
erage run Of life-all in the days
! work."
Il think" she replied, that you're
very like the other lone wolf, the fc-
titious one-Lupin, you know-a bit of
humbug. If you're not nervous, why
! keep staring hither and yon-as if you
were rather expecting somebody's
! if you wouldn't be surprised to see
Popinot or De Morbihan pop out OF the
/ ground-or Ekstrom!"
HUM" he said gravely, 81 don't
mind telling you now, that's precisely
what am afraid Of"
''Nonsense!" the girl cried in open
contempt. What could they do?"
please don't ask me-" Lanyard
! begged seriously. Il might try to tell
YOU
But don't worry, pleased" Fugitive
/ ly her hand touched his arm. We're
/ ready"
1t was true enough. Ducroy was
moving toward them again
"All is prepared" he announced in
sonOrous accents.
In a sober silence they approached
| the machine.
Vauquelin kept himself aloof while
Lanyard and young officer helped the
girl to seat on the right of the pilots
and strapped her in. When the adven-
turer had been similarly secured in the
place on the left the two sat, impris-
oned. some six feet above the ground