Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1919-03-21
AN AIR ROMANCE
BY CAROL GAY.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The little brown cottage had four oc-
cupants, stout and comedy matron
whom the nelghbors called Mother
M and her three daughters, Es-
ther, Elspeth and Jean. They were,
one and all, tall and most divlnely fair.
Theirs was the straight, virile beauty
In the wilds, clear-eyed and goddess
like. And they were one and all de-
liciously youthful. In fact Esther
was twenty-one, Elspeth twenty, and
Jean seventeen, thick bralds still down
her back.
Esther was the tallest and the most
beautiful.
Elspeth was slim and always clad
in black, in memory of lover, war
killed, with tender gray eyes, over
flowing always with love and kindll-
ness; wide, smiling red lips; poor girl,
she had taught those lips to smile
again, with steady, patient resolution,
and a coronet of glossy chestnut
braids.
And Jeanl Jean, her starry eyes
forever aglow, was the brightest ray
OF MOtner Ms nuiO.
Each Sunday eve as Esther depart
ed after her weekend visit, stiff and
starched, with a full vallse, Jean
would gaze at her with usefulness
and whisper: "Oh, you are so fortu-
nate, Essle.
1t was on Monday. Jean would
never forget that epoch-maklng date I!
1t was stormy and Esther had con-
Guided not to set forth until Tuesday.
Old Widow W was Ill of lum-
bago, with not soul to care for her.
prepare a basket, and we will go
to her at once. No help indeed
Twas Widow W made my we'd
ding gown. I'll pay her In full for nil
her klndliness," declared the kindly
Mother M, as she tied on her
bonnet.
And Jean, eager for the trip, obey
ed with alacrity.
The widow made comfortable, and
her mother securely installed In the
humble abode, Jean resumed her ul-
ster and catching up her empty bas-
ket sped toward home.
Not hundred feet from the Wild
ow's cottage, Jean. peering through
the thick fog, dlscerned an unfamiliar
object on the ground. She drew near
er. An enormous eagleH No, an air.
planet Jean observed 1t fascinated
ly. 1t was poised on one wing. The
rest was shattered. Then Jean stepped
back In wide-eyed horror. A still,
straight form beneathi
The man was not dead mol But
he was badly injured" said Doctor
B. as he bent over the bOyish
white face on the pillow. Lucky that
the girl happened along and called
you, mother, else the lad might have
died"
Jean, encouraged by his manner,
asked In small, frightened voice. II
the patient could be moved to her own
home; explaining that there was
scarce room for the widow and her
attendant. much less for the aviator
and Jean, In the small cottage.
I'VE will see, we will see. Perhaps
when he Is better" smiled the doc
tor, and that ended It,
Jean ran home TO tell her sisters the
news, while Mother M lowered
capably between the two patients.
Saturday. The aviator had been Ill
for nearly month. Esther arrived to-
day for her weekly visit and John
R, for that was the young mans
name, was to be moved to the M
dwelling, there to convaesce.
At last he was sitting there in the
shabby old armchair, smiling up at her
with his funny qulrky grin.
"a penny for your thoughts, little
maid" he said at last. Jean laughed
suddenly. ana patted his hand.
"They were OF you and Esther, dear
eagleman." But his mind was far
away as he gazed out Of the little win
dow
Esther came and with her a strange
spirit Of shattered peace that puzzled
and disturbed her youngest sister.
Poor little maiden, running to the
sweet shelter OF the crowdlng mists,
fighting back the sobs as she spoke to
the eerie white shadows that followed
her ever and anon: But love him, I
love him Why? I found him here In
the valley. You brought him to me.
Do not take him awayl love him I"
That day and the day after Esther
was constantly at his side, smiling,
talking, attending him, her blue eyes
kindled at last
And Jean, miserable little Jean. lay
sobblng In the cherries loft. But It Is
given to him who hath. So II was re-
stored TO her who had found and cher
ished. Jean, bidding farewell to her
sister Monday morning at the turn Of
the stone-bordered path, said llstless-
ly: "Slster, how soon Will you and the
eagleman be marriedf Esther stared
and laughed. "You mean Johnf Why,
the boy Is only twenty-one You silly
little slster Why do you flush and
start so, JeanT
Jean paused solemny. Because
Love and Adventure have swooped
upon me from the West. Good-by, Es-
Sic"
Then she ran into the house
John was sitting dlsconsolately by
the window. He frightened as he
heard her soft footstep, and turning
saw her eager face.
jean, darling" How naturally II
came from his lips. But she looked
surprised. He laughed, boylshly hap
PLY.
Didn't you know? think the
eagle has found his mate. What does
she say, Jennnler
Jean buried her head in his blank
cts.
Ills mate says-'yes," she whis-
pered.,