The states-graphic. (Brownsville, Tenn.) 1???-1984, 1916-07-14


was incarnate in the rotund person OF
NJ. Ducroy, posing valiantly in fur
lined coat and shining tophat 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.
saluted the minister of war and strobe
of 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 adventurer
asked, peerins anxiously around.
Almost Immediately the girl came
forward from the shadows with smile
apologize for the strangeness of her
attire.
She had donned, over her street
dress, a simple leather garment which
enyeloped 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Her small hat, too, had been replaced
by a leather helmet-cap which left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 a heavy veil for protec-
tion against scattering OIL
"Mademoiselle is not neryous-eh?
Ducroy inquired politely.
Lucy smiled brightly.
II? Why should be, monsieur"
81 trust mademoiselle will permit me
to commend her courage. Pardon! |
have one last wcrd for the ear of Cap
tain Vauquelin."
Lifting his hat, the Frenchman
Joined the group near the machine.
Lanyard stared unaffectedly at the
girls face, unable to disguise his won
der at the high spirits advertised by
her rekindled color and brilliant eyes
"Well?" she demanded gayly. Don't
tell me don't look like fright! !
know dol"
Il daren't tell you how you look to
me-" Lanyard replied soberly. But
i will say this, that for sheer, down
right pluck, you"
THANK you, monsieur! And your"
He glanced with deprecatory smile
at the flimsy-looking contrivance to
which they were presently to intrust
their lives.
Somehow" said he doubtfully, Il
don't feel in the least upset or exhil-
arated II seems little out of the av-
erage run Of life-all in the days
work."
81 think" she replied, that you're
very like the other lone wolf, the fic-
titious one-Lupin, you know-a bit of
a humbug. II you're not nervous, why
keep staring hither and yon-as if you
were rather expecting somebody-as
If you wouldn't be surprised to see
Popinot or De Morbihan pop out of the
ground--or Ekstrom!"
HUM" he said gravely, Il 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. q 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.
Lanyard found his perch comfort
able enough. A broad band of webbing
furnished , pport for his back, another
crossed his chest by way of provision
against forward pitching, there were
rests for his feet and cloth-wound
grips fixed to struts on either side for
his hands.
He smiled at Lucy across the empty
seat, and was surprised at the clear
ness with which her answering smile
was visible. But he wasn't to see it
again for a long and weary time; al
most Immediately she began to adjust
her veil.
The morning had grown much light
er within the last few minutes.
A wait ensued Of seemingly interim
nable duration. A swarm Of mechan-
les, assistants and military ayiators
buzzed round their feet like bees.
The sky was now pale to the eastern
horizon. A fleet of heavy clouds was
drifting off into the south, leaving in
their wake thin veil Of mist that
babe fair soon to disappear before the
rays Of the sun. The atmosphere
seemed tolerably clear and not I'M
seasonably cold.
The light grew stronger still
features of distant objects defined
themselves; traces of color warmed
the winter landscape.
After some time their pilot, wearing
bis wind-mask, appeared and began to