The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1916-10-20
The Chase of
An AerOplane
And What Resulted
Therefr0m.
By AGNES q. BROGAN

lived was finished, the refuse removed
and the grounds had been leveled and
sodded Madge looked upon the place
with envy. The house was as dainty
as Swiss cottage. On the grounds
here and there were little clumps OF
evergreens, while the whole was sur
rounded by hedge.
"I'N bet that house." said Madge to
herself. ''was built by an artistic archi-
tect and the grounds were laid out by
a landscape gardener"
Madge had taste for pretty places,
and the burden of her desires was to
be mistress of one. The house oppo-
site suited her exactly.
The next passion to covetousness
that took possession of Madge Carlton
was curiosity. Who would occupy it
when finished? Would 1t be an old
woman living alone. with no one to
comfort her? Would 1t he a middle
aged couple with many small children?
Would there be an unmarried man in
the family, and would he be-nice?
That was the womanly way Of ex-
pressing It. 1t was not: Would he be
heroic? Would he be manly? Would
he be honorable? No; It was not any
Of these alone, but all In one, and that
one was expressed In the word nice.
She hoped there would be a single
man In the new house, that he would
be nice, and on these hopes rested
third. We shall see whether or not
this third hope was gratifed.
One morning large posters decorated
the town where Madge lived announc-
ing that al exhibition would be given
by an aeronaut. Every member OF
her family except Madge was on tiptOe
Of excitement to see the performance.
On the morning Of its occurrence she
was sitting on the porch. She was
looking at the new house opposite
which was now occupied. From 1t she
turned her gaze upon the throng who
passed continuously on their way to
the city pleasure grounds, where the
famous bird man was due to arrive In
his wonderful aeroplane, and to give
there his exhibition. Her own family
had gone long ago, and Madge had
shaken her head in decided refusal at
her brothers invitation to join them.
"No, thank you," she answered. 81
wouldn't walk as far as the corner on
a hot day like this to see all the aero
planes in the world. This cool veranda
suits me much better
She rocked back and forth now, en-.
joying the light breeze which softly
tapped the awnings. her little bare
arms clasped high above her head. The
last football died away and the shady
avenue was unusually silent, when
presently there came from out the sky
loud humming noise as Of a giant
bee. Nearer It drew-still nearer
echoing and resounding in the stiffness.
until at length, pellmell from verandas
and doorways, people ran focking into
the street:
ut is coming" they called to each
other; 1T is coming; it is here"
Madge leaned forward excitedly.
High across the cloudless blue, with
great outstretchei wings like some
monstrous bird, there rushed a dark
object. Onward it went, straight as
course, never ceasing in its mad fight
until screening trees hid 1t from view
Of the watchers.
Wildly the crowd gave chase, hoping
to get another glimpse in the next
clearing of this wondrous. whirring
thing.
without an instant's hesitation
Ao1pa who bod ccorpad bor broth or,c
enthusiasm, now breathlessly followed
the crowd. Over the lawn and down
the street twinkled the heels Of her
little white shoes. She fell at the curb
and when q kindly hand assisted her
to rise hurried on again without civil
"thank you" With fine disregard she
tripped lightly across the road before
the very lamps Of a racing automobile.
"There 1t is!' said triumphant
voice.
"WhereT she cried
"Above the tallest tree" the voice
answered.
81 cannot see It," Madge said impa.
tiently.
A hand reached over her shoulder
pointing upward.
'If you will look exactly where tell
YOU" the owner of the hand suggested
"you viii see It."
81 do now" she replied. ut is grow
ing smaller. 1t must be very high up
"About 1900 feet" the voice answer
ed exultantly.
Madge gave little cry of disap
pointment.
"Oh. 1t is gonev' she said. Cam
we see 1t farther onT'
The man looked around quickly.
"This wayv' he called. and rar
swiftly up a wide. graveled path. She
started bravely I'm pursuit. then stood
still.
81 cannot go another STEP" she an
swered YEARLY.
The man turned back.
"Let me help you" he said, and i'm
mediately slipped his arm beneath he
own. 1t was very strong arm
Madge accepted its aid unquestioning
~ and was conscious Of a comforting
sense of protection throughout hel
confusing fight. They rested at las