The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-02-18

Il don't think Mr.. Wtckland a scare
crow exactly" said Ray, "but he's too
old for me, and don't love him. Now,
Nelson-but you know Nelson Blair,
Aunt Alvina-is young and ambitious,
and he is making heaps Of money in
demonstrating those new flying ma
chimes. Even father calls him bril-
liant aviator. and Nelson has promised
not to fly much after we're married"
1--WE seen him fly" said Alvina kind
ly. 81 don't understand your father,
my dear, but I've given him my prom
Use not to let you so through the gates
until l have his permission. and I
heard you promise the same thing. So
the only thing to do is to make the
best of a bad situation and trust TO
time to soften your fathers heart. I've
sent to town for box Of new books,
and Rudolf will motor to the station
for them this afternoon"
Miss Ford sauntered into the house,
leaving Ray on the terrace, where the
peacocks strutted up and down in the
sunshine.
Ray suddenly smiled.
"'No romance I'm these days." she
said softly. "Why, it's rather romantic
to be shut up within castle walls. But
l do wish Nelson were near. At least
we could talk to each other over the
wall, and 1 could toss him q rose now
and then to let him know that my
heart is quite unchanged"
Ray sat down to read the morning
newspaper, and her heart thrilled as
she read that Nelson Blair had won
new laurels in the great aviation meet
OF the day before. So she sat there
dreaming of her lover and inventing
many ways Of escaping from the cas-
tie.
The afternoon waned, and in the
golden glory Of the sunset Ray went
in to dinner, her eyes still soft with
the thoughts of Nelson Blair. After
the meal was over she slipped shawl
over her shoulders and went to walk
in the garden, where the roses held
great fragrant faces up to the moon.
The garden was flooded with moon
light, and there were the chirrup of in.
sects in the grass and the song of the
whippoorwill from the oak wood
Miss Ford was playing crashing cords
on the piano in the drawing room. and
while Ray listened another sound was
added to the noises of the night.
A low throbbing overhead increased
to a cumming sound. Startled, Ray
looked up and saw something large
and black and shadowy flying above
her head.
In an instant it was gone, hidden by
the trees, but something came hurting
down through the air to fall almost
at her feet.
She picked it up-a weighted box
containing, little note from Nelson
Blair.
And Aunt Alvina had said that ro-
nance was dead!
Ray carried the precious note to her
room and read it over and over again.
In a few words Nelson proposed to
carry her away from the castle. His
new machine was intended for two
passengers, and if Ray would trust
him and If she would have few
clothes packed into light bundle. and
If she would be waiting for him on
that large sloping meadow behind the
castle barns. why. he would make
landing and, taking her aboard the
aeroplane, fly with her to the rectory
Of a certain church that he knew.
where they could be united in mar
rage. Then would they defy Simon
Marvin, Mr. Wickland and even Aunt
Alvina herself.
If Ray would consent to these things
she must walk in the garden the fol-
lowing evening, when Nelson would fly
over the castle. He would recognize
her by her white gown. Then. the
night after receiving his answer. he
would be there in the meadow.
Ray laughed and cried over the let
ter. First she declared she couldn't
possibly get into an aeroplane, and then
she admitted that she wouldn't be
afraid Of anything as long as Nelson
was there.
So, all day long, Aunt Alvina watch
ed her covertly and smiled secretly to
herself when Ray, gowned all in white,
went out to the garden after dinner.
Tonight Miss Ford did not open the
piano to interpret Wagnerian master
pieces. She stood at window in one
Of the towers Of the castle, and she
smiled and clasped her hands when
she heard the throbbing Of motor and
the big bulk Of the aeroplane darkened
the air before the castle.
Nelson flew back and forth and cir
cled several times about the head of
his lady love, as If to satisfy himself
that there was no mistake In the an.
swer she had given him. Then Miss
Ford saw something small and shad-
owy drop from the flying machine as
it darted away, and she saw Ray run
forward and search the ground for the
object. Afterward, when Ray came
into the house breathless and pink,
with great American Beauty rose
pinned on her breast. Miss Ford ask,
ed, with twinkle In her eyes:
did you find that rose in my gar.
den. Ray"
Eyes. Aunt Alvina." said Ray de-
murely.
The next day Ray was very tender
with Mise Ford op6 che foI% rr,,,Itx,