Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-12-15

ber One Of the wings was bent. Ferdinand
William Otto Strengthened 1t and looked
around for tho owner
\ small boy was standing under tho next
gas lamp. Gee J" he said IN English, ''ulu
you it go that timo?"
Prince Ferdinand William Otto eyed tho
stranger lie was about his own age and
dressed in II short pair Of corduroy trou-
scrs, much bloomed at the knee a pair OF
yellow Russia-leather shoes that reached well
TO his calves and, over all, a shaggy white
sweater, rolling almost to his chin. on the
very back of his head he had the smallest
cap that Prince Ferdinand William Otto had
ever seen.
Now. this was exactly the way in which
tho Crown Prince had arways wished to
dress He was suddenly conscious Of the long
trousers Oh his own small legs. of tho gno-
mny Of his taiess Eton jacket and stiff,
rolling collar, of the crownlns disgrace Of
his derby hat But the lonely feeling had
gono from him.
This is tho best timo for flying" ho
said. in his perfect English. "All tho exhi-
bition flights are at sundown."
The boy walked slowly over and stood
looking down at him. You ought TO see II
fly from tho top OF Pixies Peak" he re-
marked. He had caught s'gnt of the desplsed
derby and his eyes widened. but with in
stinctive good breeding he ignored It. That's
Pixies Peak up there"
He indicated the very top OF tho Land OF
| Desire. The Prince started up.
"fIow does ono get up?" ho queried.
| Ladders. My fathers the manager. lie
let's me up sometimes"
| Prince Ferdinand William Otto stared with
new awe at the boy. Ho found the fact
| much moro remarkable than If the stranger
| had stated that his father was the King OF
| England. Kings were, as you may say, di-
| rectiy In Prince Ferdinand William Otto's
| line but scenic railroads
| II had thought of taking a journey on H."
he said. after a seconds reflection. do you
think your father will sell me ticket?'
Billy Grimm will. I'll go with you"
| The Prince rose with alacrity. Then he
| stopped. He must, of course. ask tho strange
| boy to be his guest But two tickets! Per-
| haps his allowance was not sufficient.
| II must first see how much 1t COSTS" he
said. with dignity.
The other boy laughed. "Oh, gee! You
come with me, 1t won't cost anything" he
said, and led the way toward the towering
| lights.
For Bobby Thorpe to bring a small boy
| to ride with him was an everyday affair
Billy Grimm, at the ticket window. hardly
glanced at tho boy who Stood trembling
with anticipation in the shadow or the booth
| The car came and they climbed in. Per-
haps, as they moved off, Prince Ferdinand
William Otto had IL qualn, occasloned by
the remembrance OF the English child who
had met an untimely end; but II he did lie
pluclsily hid 1t.
Put your lid on the floor of the car" said
Bobby Thorpe. depositng his own atom there
Father says If you do that you're perfectly
| safe"
| Prince Ferdinand William Otto OWNED
| that this referred TO his hat and drew q
| small breath of relief. And then they were
| off, up an endless. clicking roadway, where
at the top the car hung for breathless
second over the gulf below; then, fairly
launched, out on a trestle, with the city ia,
beneath them. and only the red, white. ano
blue lights for company; and into tunnel
filed with roaring noises and swift-movins
| shadows. Then came the end Of all things
a flying leap down, heart-breaking. de
| lirious thrill, an upward sweep just as the
| strain was too great for endurance.
Isn't It bdlly?" shouted the American
| boy against the onrush of the wind.
Fine |" shrieked His Royal Highness. ant
I braced himself for another dip into the gulf
| Above tho roaring Of tho wind In thei
ears neither child had heard tho flying fee
| of a dozen horses coming down the alice
| They never knew that a hatless young lieu
tenant, white-lpped with fear. had checked
his horse to it's launches at the ticket-booth
and demanded to know who was In the LAM
| of Desire.
only tho son of the manager. and a bo!