Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-12-26
An Aerial
Proposal
e@<D
By VICTOR REDcLIFFE


Effie ran back under an open stock
shed, as though that frail shelter
would protect her from the descent
of what suggested to her some deyour-
ing monster of the air aimed straight
for the spot 1t was an airplane, and
she knew this. but as It shot toward
her vivid terror overcame her She
shrank back and covered her face
with her hands. Nothing happened.
There had come chugging and then
a dumping sound onSside and then
silence. The danger was apparently
over and she ventured to the edge OF
the shed and looked afieId.
TIE new presentment was one cal
culated to inspire relief and q sense
of security. The airpIane had landed
not fifty feet away and was notion
less and silent now. A young man in
conventional flying costume had aIight-
ed and was busily engaged in tinker
ing about the engine of the plane.
His agility, sIiat of his face showed,
2 CHEEKY whistle attracted Effie. She
timidly advanced. The aviator noticed
her, smiled pleasingly and suspended
his work temporarily.
your farm. / guessg' he spoke in
clear, mellow tones. No one viii hunt
me off If get on my way soon, eh?"
s'Ohl indeed not" replied Fife
quickly. eve are all quite interested
in airplanes. In fact my brother, who
was overseas, did something in n.y.
Ing"
did he, now?' projected Dick Nor
ley. Il must hunt him up"
HE is not at home just now" ex-
planned Effie, ''bur he would be glad
to meet you. know. Haven't we no
ticed your plane pass over several
times lately?"
''Very likely" responded Dick.
''You see, it's part Of the experimental
air service. fly from Merrill to
Brampton trying to establish sched-
ule for regular service later on. One
Of the valve rockers slipped out of
true and came down to repair it."
He resumed mis- work on the engine,
restored his tools to box aboard
and got ready to resume his flight.
And what are those?' inquired Eff
fie as she noticed two small flags
lying on the drivers seat.
''Wig-wags," answered Dick signal
flags. / report at the fixed station
we pass" He studied the pretty,
glowing face before him with sdmira-
ton and seemed reluctant to depart.
He put in the time asking Efie about
her brother and they parted at least
acquaintance.
Every other day for week the air
plane crossed the sky directly over
the Rawson place and about the same
hour. The first day Dick waved his
flags and Effie fiuttered her handker-
chief In return, Just after that en-
his out trip Dick dropped pretty
nosegay. The second trip succeeding
he let loose box of chocolate creams.
ut is getting interesting and seri-l
ous," Effie told herself with a con-
scious flush. Her brother returned
that evening. The clever little plotter
led him into telling OF his experience
in the war zone. He found an alb
sorbed listener In his sister. In order
to demonstrate the utility of the air
signals he brought out two flags.
you can keep those as souvenirs.
sister" he said and proceeded TO teach
Eide the code.
"Tve heard your brother has come
home, Miss Rawson." Dick said when
next they met. TEL him am eager to
meet him. BY the way. why stopped?
It's queer reason. l met Miss
Olive Randall at Midvale today"
ooh yes, she is very dear friend"
spoke Effie with animation.
"She told me so" returned Dick,
land she fancied it would be won
derful thing to sen2 you letter by
alrplane. Here it is"
But" spoke Effie. glancing at the
extended hand. there are two let
ters"
Yes. one OF them is from myself"
explained Dick. He looked her close
ly in the eyes as he spoke, and Effie
experienced strange thrill. as though
his ardent gaze expressed the partial
suppression of some deep emotion.
She flushed as she toyed with the two
missives.
You will please not read mine until
have resumed my flight" said Dick.
1t was womanlike that Efrie should
open it first, after Dick had speeded
on his way. The bloom upon her fair
cheek was intensified as she did so.
She tripped to the house in an sppar-
entity joyful mood. She was the vivid
life of the family circle all that eve
ming.
Once in her room. happy. dreamy
expression on her animated face.
Ellie took the two signal flags from
their place over the mirror and prac-
ticed wig-wagging indastriously for
half an hour. She was out In the
field next morning long time before
a cDanfr in the distance gradlla1Iv