The Press. (Stafford Springs, Conn.) 1883-1935, 1916-03-08


WALL and could toss him rose nov
and then to let him know that my
heart is quite unchanged"
i Ray sat down to read the morning
newspaper, and her heart thrilled as
she read that Nelson Blair had won
new 9laurels in the great aviation meet
Of the day before. So she sat there
drea ming Of her lover and inventine
many ways of escaping from the cas-
tie. Il
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 a 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 humming sound. Startled, Ray
looked up and saw something large
and black and shadowy flying above
her head.
In an instant 1t was gone, hidden by
the trees, but something came hurtling
down through the air to fall almost
at her feet nt .I
She picked It up-a weighted box
containing Il 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 few words Nelson proposed ito
carry her away from the CASTLE His
| new machine was intended for two
passengers, and If Ray would trust
him and IL she would have u few
clothes packed into light bundle, and
IL she would be waiting for him on
that large sloping meadow behind the
castle barns. why, he would make "A
landing and, taking her aboard the
aeroplane, fly with her to the rectory
Of certain church that he knew,
where they could he united in mar
rage. Then would they defy Simon
Marvin, Mr.. Wickland and even Aunt
Alvina herself.
II 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, lie
would be there in the meadow. y
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. T..
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 a motor and
the big bulk of the aerOplane darkened
the air before the castle. e
Nelson few 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 sas
it darted away, and she saw Ray rub
forward and search the ground for the
object. Afterward, when Ray came
into the house GREATNESS 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 Miss Ford, and she felt guilty
indeed when she packed little bundle
and hid it under the pillows of her
sofa. Once when Ray was absent
from the house Aunt Alvina stole up
to Rays room and searched swiftly
until she found the hidden package.
Then she opened it and pinned let
ter to some Of the garments and care
fully replaced it as she found it.
After dinner Ray, who had worn a
plaiD dark blue frock, came and put
her arms around Aunt Alvina's neck.
You hare been very good to me,
dear" said Ray brokenly.
Nonsense, Ray" twinkled Aunt AL
vina. wiping a tear from her eyes,
you've been good child and great
comfort. want you to be happy.
And. Ray, il you can prove to me
that romance is not dead I'll marry
Mr.. Wickland myself
"Aunt Alvinar' choked Ray, kissing
her again before she ran out OF the
house.
Her bundle and long dark cloak
were hidden in a summer house, and
with the cloak wrapping her from head
to foot and the bundle under her arm
Ray hurried around through the box I
bordered paths, up the avenue of
young naples, past the barns and so.
finally through the wide gate that led
into the meadow.
Here she waited the coming of her
lover, shivering with nervous dread of
the step she was taking, smiling ten-f
derby at recollection of Miss Alvina's
parting words and wondering at that
spinster's surprise when she discov-
cred her fight.
Hark! There was the distant hum
ming Of the motor. Now the motor was
a dark speck In the sky. 1t grew
larger and larger and finally swooped
down upon the .dewy moonlit field,
where a trembling little form greeted
climbed out of the car.
Ready, darling?" he asked quickly.