The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-07-30
His Thirteenth
Birdman Dropped
By ALAN HINSDALE

John Ellison was Of the third gen.
Grafton of an Irish revolutionist who
after the suppression Of the revolt in
Ireland found it necessary to emf
CRATE. Johns grandfather came to
America, married an American wo-
man. and a daughter Of his married
William Ellison, an Englishman.
Johnny was sent over to England
to be educated and came back very
enthusiastic over the English people.
The consequence was that when the
great worlds war broke out he went
over to fight under the imperial Brit
ish flag.
Ile only person toward whom John
felt a real enmity was Elmer Treat,
whose grandfather came from Ger
many. The two as youngsters had been
chums; but, as luck would have it.
they split on a girl, and, though nei.
ther felt sure he had gained the advan-
tage over the other the rivalry sepa-
rated them. Whether or not It broke
their friendship this story will tell.
Johnny thought he could serve the
fatherland of his ancestors he consid-
cred himself an American, and an
American only-in the flying corps. He
therefore went to London and after a
course of instruction that fitted him to
make bird of himself was sent to
the front for active duty. At first he
was sent up into the air to locate the
enemy's guns and signal their posi-
ton, but after year at that kind of
service he was made a member of the
fighting corps.
When Johnny left America for the
war he did so partly because he had
been refused by Alice Weatherby.
This was the girl that he and Elmer
Treat had split upon. Whether Treat
had won where he had failed he did
not know. but he felt very bitter to.
ward his former friend, because he
presumed that Treat had taken unfair
advantage of him. But was there ever
a rivalry wherein one party did moi
consider that the other had used un.
fair means? 1t is the girl who throws
the apple Of discOrd between them.
One day John Ellison went up to get
his thirteenth aeroplane. He had
brought down twelve and had been
duly decorated by the government
John set out about 10 o'clock of a
spring morning. AS he rose about the
treetops he heard the birds singing be-
low him and wondered If they were
not jealous of the invasion of their ele
ment. On reaching the height he de.
sired he started toward the enemy &
lines. Far in the distance he saw eli
ther an aeroplane or bird, but his
practiced eye soon told him that 1t was
the aerOplane appeared to be heading
for John.
When the two came to within a mile
Of each other each seemed to realize
that he was singled out for a fight
They circled about each other, ethel
for observation or for position, neither
appearing to care to come to quarters
close enough for fight. John, who
was armed with long range gun, sem
shot by way Of opening the scrim
mage, but 1t either fell short or went
wild. His enemy did not seem ready
for reply.
The cOmbatants were not near enough
to distinguish each others faces, or il
they were they were too much covered
for them to do so. Presently the
stranger suddenly veered from hi.
course and, putting on all speed, made
straight for his enemy's machine. Johr
swerved. and the other passed him OF
the flank, both firing at the same time
Neither man was hurt, but the bodie!
Of both aeroplanes received severa
bullets.
Now as they dashed past each othe
Johnny got view of his enemy, mucl
as he might see it by fash Of light
ming. There was something about i
that reminded him Of his former frient
and subsequent enemy who he had be
lieved had acted unfairly with refer
ence to Alice Weatherby. Nonsense
There were a thousand to one chances
against his meeting Elmer Treat any
where on terra firma in Europe anC
a million to one that he would no
meet him a thousand feet up In tn,
air. Nevertheless that brief glimps,
he had got Of the man In the othe
machine was marvelously suggestiv,
Of Elmer.
! But Johnny was fighting for LIZ
and realized fully that all his facultie
should be exercised In taking the III
! of the man who was bent on killin,
him. Besides. the fact that his enem
reminded him Of the man he believe,
had injured him with the woman b
loved did not tend to extinguish In hin
the madness of war. Taking advar
tage Of turn the other made, Il
which he exposed himself favorabl
| for shot. Johnny fired at him an,
saw him instantly collapse.
THANK heaven said John. "Iv
passed my thirteenthr'
The enemy's aeroplane began to sin
slowly In spiral John could not b
! sire whether or NOT the man in he