The Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 191?-19??, 1919-06-07
Observation-Disclosures
AN AIR ROMANCE
BY CAROL GAY.


M and her three daughters, Els
ther, Elspeth and Jean. They were
one and all. tall and most dlvineIy fair
] Theirs was the straight, yIgiIe beepty
10 the wllds, cleaF.eyed and goddess
like. And they were we're one one and all de
llcIously youthful: In fact Esther
was twenty-0ne, EIspeth twenty, and
Jean seventeen, thick braids 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
nOwing always with love and klndIi-
ness; wide smiling red lips; poor girl,
she had taught those lips to smile
again, with steady, patient resolution.
and coronet OF glossy chestnut
braids.
And Jeanl Jean, her starry eyes
forever agIOw, was the brightest ray
Of Mother Ms halo.
Each Sunday eve as Esther depart
ed after her weekend visit, stiff and
starched, with a full vallst. Jean
would gaze at her with usefulness
and whisper: "Oh, you ara so FORTH
nate, Essie.
1t was on Monday. Jean wouk
never forget that epoch making date
1t was stormy and Esther had con
cluded not to set forth until Tuesday
Old Widow W was Ill of lun
bago, with not soul to care for her.
prepare a basket, and we will 90
10 her at once. No help indeed
Twas Widow W made my wed
ding gown. I'll pay her in full for all
her kindliness," 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 III
ster and catching up her empty has
ket sped toward home.
Not hundred feet from the Wild
Ow's cottage, Jean, peering through
the thick fog. discerned an unfam!lia,
object on the ground She drew near
err. An enormous eagle? No. an air
planet Jean observed 1t fascinated
ly. 1t was poised on one wing. Th
rest was shattered Then Jean stepped
back in wide-eyed horror. A stin
straight form beneath!
The man was not dead, mol "Bu'I
he was badly injured" said Doctc,
B as he bent over the boyis,
white face on the pillow. T.ucky tina,
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 OWE
home; explaining that there was.
scarce room for the widow and Aei
attendant. much less for the aviato,
and Jean, IN the small cottage.
'lye will see, we will see. Perhap,
when he is better" smiled the doc
tor. and that ended It.
Jean ran home to tell her sisters the
news, while Mother M hovered
capably between the two patients.
Saturday. The aviator had been III,
for nearly month. Esther arrived to-
day for her weekly visit aid John
R, for that was the yor-g mans
name, was to be moved 70 - NJ
dwelling, there to convalesce.
At, last he was sitting there in the
shabby old armchair, smiling up at hel
with his funny, Quirky grin,
"A penny for your thoughts, little
maid" he said at last. Jean laughed
and patted his hand.
"They were of you and Esther, deaf
But his mind was faI
away as he gazed out of the little win
dow. II
Esther came and with her strange
spirit Of shattered peace that puzzled
and disturbed her youngest sister.
Poor little maiden, running to the
sweet shelter of the crowding mlsts,
fighting back the sobs as she spoke TO
The eerie white shadows that followed ,
her ever and anon: "But love him, !
owe him! Why? found him here in
he valley. You brought him to me
Do not take him away! I love him."
That day and the day after Esther
vas constantly at his side, smiling I
alking. attending him, her blue eyes ]
lindled at last.
And Jean, miserable little Jean, lay
iobbing in the cherries loft. But It Is I
,iven to him who hath. So it was re- I
tored to her who had found and cher \
sired. Jean, bidding farewell to her 6
lister Monday morning at the turn Of :
he stone-bordered path, said listless. .
y: SISTER, how soon will you and the d
agleman be marrled?" Esther stared y
nd laughed. "You mean John? Why, q
he boy is only twenty-one. You silly =
title sister, Why do you flush and
tart so, JeanY'' - j,
Jean paused solemnly. Because .
owe and Adventure have swooped y
pom me from the West. Good-by, rs. :
Ie." =
Then she ran INN thA ,ho,,ea