The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1916-05-13

their lives.
Somehow" said he doubtfuIly, Il
don't feel in the least upset or exhil-
arated It seems little out of the av-
erage run Of Ife-an in the days
work."
Il think" she replied. that you're
very like the other lone wolf. the nc
titious One-Lupin, you know--a bit OF
a humbug. If you're not nervous. why
keep starin,; hither and yon AS if you
were rather expecting somebody's
| if you wouldn't be surprised to see
Popinot or De Morbihar pop out of the
ground-Or Ekstrom!
HUM" he said grave1y, 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. I might try to tell
you"
But don't worry. pleased" Fugitive
ly her hand touched his arm Were
ready"
1t was true enough Ducroy was
moving toward them again
"AIl is prepared" he announced in
sonorous accents.
In a sober silence they approached
the machine.
Vauquelin kept himself a1oof while
Lanyard and young officer helped the
girl to a seat on the right of the pilots
and strapped her in When the adven-
turer had been similarly secured in the
| blaze on the left the two sat, impris-
e.,
Lanyard found his perch comfort
able enough. A broad band OF webbing
furnished support for his back, another
crossed his chest by way of provision
against forward pitching. there were
rests for his fee: Ind cIoth-wo1nd
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 long ana 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 aviators
buzzed round their feet like bees.
The sky was now pale to the eastern
horizon. 4 fleet of heavy clouds was
drifting of 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 tolerabIy clear and not un-
seasonabIy 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
his wind-mask, appeared and began to
climb to his perch. With cool nod
for Lanyard and a civil bow to his
woman passenger he settled himself
adjusted several levers and flirted a
gay hand to his brother officers.
There was a warning cry from the
rear The crowd dropped back rapid
ly to either side. Ducroy lifted his hat
in parting salute, cried Bon Toyagei'
and scuttled clear like a startled roost
er before motor car. Thereupon the
motor and propeller broke loose with
a mighty roar comparable only, in
Lanyard's fancy, to the chant Of ten
thousand riveting-locusts.
He felt momentarily as If his tym
panums must burst with the incessant
and tremendous conclusion registered
upon them; but presently this sensa
ton passed, leaving him with that OF
permanent deafness.
Before he could recover and regain
control of his startled wits the aviator
had grasped a lever and the great fab
ric was in motion.
It swept down the field like g
/ frightened swan, and the wheels of its
chassis, registering every infinitesima
: irregularity in the surface of the
ground, magnifed them all hundred
? fold. 1t was like riding in a tumbre
driven at top speed over the Giants
t Causeway. Lanyard was shaken vic
Iently to the very marrow of his bones
he believed that even his eyes must BIZ
} rafting in their sockets.
t Then the Parrot began to ascend
: Singularly enough. this change wa.
marked at first by no more than &
slight lessening Of the vibration-tht
e machine seemed still to be dashinf
D over a cobbled thoroughfare at break
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