The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-09-30
The Chase Of
An Aeroplane
And What Resulted
Therefr0m.
By AGNES q. BROGAN

When the house that had been build
ing opposite where Madge carlton
lived was finished. the refuse removed
and the grounds had been leveied ana
sodded Madge looked upon the place
With envy. The house was as dainty
a q Swiss cottage. On the GROUNDS
here and there were little clumps OF
evergreens, while the whole was sur
rounded by a hedge.
"I'u bet that house." said Madge to
herself, "was built by an artistic arcm-
tect and the grounds were LAID OUT py
4 landscape gardener.
Madge had taste for pretty places,
and the burden Of her desires was 10
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 II
when finished? Would 1t be an OLD
woman living alone, with no one TO
comfort her? Would it be middle
aged couple with many small children!
Would there be an unmarried man In
the family, and would he be-Hicef
That was the womanly way of ex-
pressing 1t. 1t was not: Would ne be
heroic? Would he be manly? Would
he be honorable? No; 1t 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 a
third. We shall see whether or not
this third hope was gratified.
One morning large posters decorated
the town where Madge lived announc-
ing that an 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 it 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 al
her brothers invitation to join them.
mo, thank YOU" she answered. 81
wouldn't walk as far as the corner or
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. TIL,
last football died away, and the shad.
avenue was unusually silent, whel
presently there came from out the SIX!
loud humming noise as of gian
bee. Nearer it drew-still nearer
echoing and resounding in the stiffness
until at length, pellmell from veranda
and doorways, people ran hocking int
the street:
1T is coming" they called to eacl
other; sit is coming; it is here"
Madge leaned forward excitedly
High across the cloudless blue, wit
great outstretched wings like som
monstrous bird, there rushed a dar
object. Onward it went. straight a
an arrow, never swerving from il
course, never ceasing in it's mad fligh
until screening trees hid it from vie'
Of the watchers.
Wildly the crowd gave chase, hopin
to get another glimpse in the ne>
clearing of this wondrous, whirrin
thing.
Without an instant's hesitatio
Madge, who had scorned her brother
enthusiasm. now breathlessly followe
the crowd. Over the lawn and dow
the street twinkled the heels of b,
little white shoes She fell at the cuI
and when kindly hand assisted h,
to rise hurried on again without civ
"thank YOU" With fine disregard 81
tripped lightly. across the road befo
the very lamps of a racing automobil
'There 1t is" said triumpha
voice.
"WhereF she cried
"Above the tallest tree" the vol
answered.
81 cannot see it," Madge said imp
tiently.
A hand reached over her should
pointing upward.
"If you will look exactly where t
you" the owner of the hand suggestt
you will see IL"
Il do now" she replied. sit is gro
ing smaller. 1t must be very high III
about 800 feet" the voice answ,
ed exultantly.
Madge gave a little cry Of diss
pointment
"Oh. 1t is goner she said .Cal
/. we see it farther on?'
The man locked around quickly.
This way" he called, and +
swiftly up wide. graveled path. S
started bravely in pursuit, then sto
still
II cannot go another step" she q
swered YEARLY.
The man turned back.
az of mo helm yOu" he said aud Il