The circle banner. [volume] (Circle, Mont.) 1914-1939, 1917-06-15
THE AIRMAN
BY JOSEPH T. kESCEL.

MS cOmraQeS, cOulQ not StlHe the grOdn
that escaped his lips.
he was seated on the ground, his
back against a tree, to which he had
painfully crawled after his fall. In
half delirium he muttered to himself
numerous broken sentences.
Commanding officers orders were
Go out over enemy's position, ascer-
tain strength. and report Immediately
upon your return Tried to do 1t, and
would have done it, hadn't been for
and old Fred badly wounded.
Cant forget his words and action
when he saw we we're hard hit. Good
by. George. old man, good-by.' he
yelled. I'm badly wounded. Informa-
ton very much needed at headquar-
ters. Alone there is chance to make
1t. With me In the machine 1t is i'm
possible. Tell Katy my last thoughts
were of her, Then for love of coun-
try he threw himself out into space.
Struck the hard ground inside the en-
emy's lines, and was killed.
Rotten luck. Just downright hard
luck. after everything had gone so
well. Splendid flight we made to
headquarters. with the information
they wanted, when that whistling devil
caught u.s. With Fred's weight gone,
the machine partly righted itself and
would have made safe landing, but
for this beastly tree.
STEERING gear broken. no chance
to guide. Leg busted. arm broken.
and head feels smashed. Worst luck
Is in being unable to make report.
Nov my head has gone wrong.
Saw the moon above, now see moons
all over. going everywhere. Funny.
Wish I had drink of water and cam
teen empty. Wowl Big moon is CON-
Ing right toward me. There 1t comes.
Hear voices. strange. and the man in
the moon has an automobile. Can hear
the purr of his engine"
With a start '"The Bird" realized
that it was an automobile from his
corps. He attempted to raise an arm
and uttered a faint shout. Figures
and came rapidly toward him.
In a low, audible tone he said:
81 wish to report position very strong.
Heavily REINFORCED and more coming
up rapidly" Then he lapsed into I'M
Days had passed. One cool bright
1.-THE Bird" opened his eyes,
now free from delirium. A gentle sigh
passed his lips and figure bent over
him. Two questioning brown eyes
gazeG into his. In a weak voice he
Report enemy's position
strong. heavily REINFORCED. This is
very important"
Good nurse Winthrop grasped the
situation at once and, knowing 1t best
10 hurnor the patient, hurried away.
Returning to the bedside of the wound
I'd man she said quietly. Your or
iers have been obeyed. Headquarters
,ave been informed
~ know you." he gasped. "Katy,
lear old Fred's sister. His last words
we're of you. / say good-by for him.
Am tired now and sleepy" With this
lie lapsed into peaceful slumber.
llG ldLC dllclDOOu Suuy
through the big hospital windows,
ound nurse Winthrop again standing
reside her new patient. The head |
lurse gently chided Miss Winthrop
or the decided interest In patient |
70. 254.
The girls eyes filled with tears and
he answered humbly, "Please don't |
cold. for he was with my brother
red. The two were together when
he machine was hit"
Forgive me. dear. | did not know"
eplied the older woman. "Stay here
ntil be awakens. l will attend to
our other duties"
"The Birds" eyes opened.
The Injured man gazed in wonder
tent at the face before him. 81 know
ou-l have seen you before" he re-
Gated. you are Fred's sister Katy"
Two small white fingers we're placed
0 his lips and q sweet voice admoD-
he'd, you must not talk now"
With the uninjured hand he re-
owed the fingers from his lips. Ex-
ting his whole strength he held them
rmly while he insisted. 81 won't be
liet. must talk. Want you to under
and Dear old Fred. my best friend. I
since war started. Sends all
s love to you"
Her eyes filed with tears and with
mile frmness she released her hand.
ying, "Please do not talk any more.
Du must be quiet, for you are in
red and ILL.,"
His convalescence was very rapid.
hen he was almost well one day
ey were seated on the cool. wide.
n-shaded porch. the small white
nd of Miss Winthrop nesting in his,
ID he recited the adventures of her
other and himself. Her eyes over :
wed with tears and she murmured.
lear brother. So noble. good and Z
lei" (
Firmly he held her hands and In :
gentle voice beseeched, won't you
my Katy now? Freds last words q
re. Look after her. George / Z
ow 1t would please your brother, Z
q to me you are everything. I love
II. dear. and | want you to be my
fe." he pleaded. q