Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1917-03-29
The Splendor And The Glory
By FRANK GOULD CONsToCK.

Copyright BY the Frank Munscv o..
The engagement Of Henri Nillefranc and
Celeste kervelan was one Of those events
which Paris loves because of it, unex-
pectedness. it, touch of the blzarre and of
it, romance.
Nillefranc-the winner OF the Prix Nat
ional for nonstop flight from Paris to
Moscow great. road-Shouldered. lean
faced fellow. who never seemed content cx-
cept when he was IN the air.
And Celeste kervelan-onc a those
slight. pretty. Silken haired blondes.
They had met on the field of Etanipes.
glanced and fallen IN love. Now the day
had been set for the wedding and Celesta
kcreylan looked up at her lover and whi~p-
cred:
Henri, Won viii give up flying after We
are married"
She observed the expression If pain
which crossed his face. and continued in
the low voice hat she knew he loved 80
well:
Listen. No one will ever equal Your
your feats while Won live. all the world
knows that"
He laughed proudly. mon nctt-no.
And % YOU are afraid. Well, | promise
YOU "a he careful. then
She saw that she had touched the wrong
chord. "No-no-give il M ~entireIy-for
my sake she whispered and kissed him.
but Celeste he replied seriously, aud
was stopped with her small hand upon his
lips.
Then she began 10 plead with him. pretti-
|ly yet inexorahIy. with all the skill, charm.
which had attracted him. lie ~trovc laugh
ingly Ia put her request aside a. \ whim
or q Jest. but was met bv that
ing. inSistent demand. AZ last she drew
away from him suddenly. her eyes flooded
with tears Of vexation.
IL believe YOU care more for your flying
than YOU do for mer'
She saw that ~he had wounded him. and
returned quickly. begging forgiveness. VII
%Iefranc spoke gently. almost sadly. IA i
tone which ~ilenced her ~ once.
Celeste. | do not know whether vou
ffdAiN ut~Alf mf W XIV uH ih AN-HAN ~
whether YOU are merely Jealous. can tell
Won nothing but what | have told YOU SO
often before. that ! love Won above every
thing else in this world
ssThen why" she began coaxinglv. But
.Nillefranc continued without pause:
"Can one give up MI M once that which
seems part If ones innermo~t nature ?
That j. what You ask me to DO; ard ! am
ready to do even that if it will really make
vou happy. But in return. ! nm going TO
ask one favor. Would Won he afraid To 90
np2"
Celeste. sure ~ victory, laughed and
murmered III hi~ ear: "Nith youi"
Nillefranc replied quietly and unexpect
edly:
"With me. wish Won 70 fly hut once
with me. | wish yos to taste for Yourself
the splendor and the glory-and then to
say whether YOU can really wish me to re-
.%linqui~h it,"
lie laughed a the childish gravity Of her
expression and pinchcd her cheek. $50. ma
petite you are to Judge for me and swear
~ abide IN vour decision. That NJ my one
condition"
lie felt her beginning to tremhle IN ht~
arms, and was on the verge Of making any
promises she might demand. Then came
the thought Of the glory Of wheeling aloit.
of the imperceptihle. maSterfal movements
Of the controls a. the earth dropped away.
az the cushion ~ air over which he rushed
straight into the hlue-.rav.
CeleSte'S voice came tx HIM brukenly"
"You sand YOU loved me above everything
else in the world" She was only i%calon-.