The Lamar register., 1917-12-26

girls as they stood by the roadside lie
wore n puzzling costume-a close skull
can bearing some military insignia, II
bicyclist sweater and closeiy-knit
stockings from the knee down. He lift
ed his cap gravely.
"Who is he?" she whispered to her
companion.
"Oh! haven't you seen the airship
they brought to the camp last eve
ming" questioned Elsa animatedly. "He
is an aviator, army airship service and
81 that. Br-rri Isn't he chilly and
forbiddlng? Perhaps 1T is going up
where the air is so cold that has frozen
away his smile"
"He is simply dignifed," qualified
Irma.
There was rivalry between Winston
Clancy of the infantry and Nate Percy
of the marines. for both were deeply
captivated by Irma. In rapid success
sion two events transpired that brought
Irma's ardent suitors closer to her.
"Oh. how spelndidl" cried Elsa, as
Irma came home wet and dripping
young Percy proudly escorting her, and
Irma explained after she had thanked
her "preseryer" 1t seemed that Irma
had gone out in her skiff alone and had
struck a mock mine buoy-the boat
stove in, had capslzed and she had
clung to 1t until Percy had valiantly
struck out from the shore to save her.
A week later Clancy's turn came. lie
and Irma were strolling along near the
lake bluffs when a detonation from the
lake apprised them that target practice
was on and they were in range. There
was no shelter in sight-the air was
misty the big target was set on
sand mound fifty feet away.
"Crouch behind that hummock J" or
dered Clancy excitedly. Then he ran
to the target and scaled 1t.
Boomi
A projectile landed twenty feet
away, scattering the sand In every d.
rection. Irma shuddered. On top Of
the target. Clancy had stripped of his
Jacket and was waving II lakewards.
The signal was seen, the firing ceased
and he soon got Irma out Of range OF
the deadly guns. OF course Percy and
Clancy became heroes with the girls.
One morning when quite a party of
young people were gathered on the
lawn. Irma came from the house with
futtering yellow sheet in her hand.
pale and distracted "Oh. Elsa J"
gasped Irma, "read-read
She extended n telegram, just re-
ceived. II was from her aunt. fifty
miles away, where her mother had
gone on a visit three days previous.
"Come at once" II read. "Your
mother has met with a serious acci-
dent"
Instantly the lawn party broke up as
the situation was disclosed. Irma was
frantic over the direful intelligence.
There was no train for six hours. To
70 by vehicle involved roundabout
course covering fully one hundred
miles. on account of the roadless noun
tain range to the west. Irma broke
down and was weeping in the arms Of
Elsa. Finally young Ridley approached
her.
'AIIss Wills" he said, in his quiet
hut decisive way, "may offer my serv-
ices? The weather is not propitious
and there is a strong headwind. but We
can reach the town across the hills In
side Of two hours. Could you stand
| the strainT"
"To be with my mother quickly-oh.
yes yesi" cried Irma eagerly.
Twenty minutes later Irma Willis
was seated behind the aviator. strapped
in securely. She did not shrink or
shudder as the wheels of the splendid
ly constructed airship left the ground.
| All she thought of WIS her mother. and
her anxiety overcame fear and the
thrilling sensation of first flight. "A
dash of rain chilled her as they cleared
| the close-to-earth strata.
Then-a sudden binding dazzle OF
radiance. They had traversed the cloud
area and had emerged into a brilliant
burst of sunlight. Now It was straight.
easy progress. An hour later. grace
full as bird sinking to earth, the ma
chine landed in an open space at desti-
nation.
"Sammie or Jackie, or" mischiev-
ously insinuated Elsa, n week after
that. and Irma blushed divinely as she
said softly:
Eyes. dear, or Mr.. Ridley has
asked permission to give me an engage
ment ring"
Some people are so unlmportant