The Celina Democrat. (Celina, O. [Ohio]) 1895-1921, 1916-05-12

'VNVHNVN~E'~%'S', eS'sVeo@SS%1oe
which they we're presently 10 intrust
their lives.
Somehow" said be doubtfully, Il
don't feel In the least upset or exhil'
arated Il seems little out Of the av'
erage run Of llfe-all In the days
work."
Il think" she replied, that you're
very like the other lone wolf. the tc-
titious one-Lupin. you know-a bit OF
a humbug. II you're not nervous. why
keep starins hither and yon-as II you
were rather expecting somebody-as
II you wouldn't be surprised TO see
Popinot or De MorbihaI pop out Of the
ground-or Ekstrom!"
fHum!" he said gravely. II 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. 1 might try to tell
you"
But don't worry, pleasel" Fugitive.
ly her hand touched his arm. Were
ready"
It 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.
Vauquelln kept himself aloof while
Lanyard and a 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
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 support for his back, another
crossed his chest by way Of provision
against forward pitching, there we're
rests for his fees md 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 1t
again for 4 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 intermi-
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 off into the south, leaving in
their wake thin veil of mist that
bade fair soon to disappear before the
rays OF the sun. The atmosphere
seemed tolerably clear and not un-
seasonably cold.
The light grew stronger still
features of distant objects lefined
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 fiirted 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 voyage!"
and scuttled clear like startled roost-
er before a motor car. TheTeupon the
motor and propeller broke loose with
a mighty roar comparable only, in
fancy, to the chant of ten
thousand riveting-locusts.
He felt momentarily as if his tym
panums must burst with the incessant |
and tremendous concussion 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.
1t swept down the field like a |
frightened swan, and the wheels of its
chassis, registering every infnitesimal |
rregularity in the surface of the
ground, magnifed them all hundred
'old. 1t was like riding in a tumbrel |
driven at top speed over the Giants
Jauseway. Lanyard was shaken vio-
emily to the very marrow of his homes.
le believed that even his eyes must be
'attling in their sockets.
Then the Parrott began to ascend. !
enough, this change was
marked at first by no more than a
slight lessening of the vibratlon-the
seemed still to be dashing
'ver cobbled thoroughfare at break,