Ellsworth American., 1920-01-14
An Aerial
Proposal
~1
By VICTOR REDCLIFPE

ehthf az AhbhAh NhHA ifHll SuftAtE
would protect her from the descent
OF what suggested to her some devour-
Ing monster Of the air aimed straight
for the spot. It was an airplane. and
she knew this. but ms IL shot toward
her a vivid terror overcame her She
with her hands Nothing happened.
There had come chugging and then
a dumping sound outside and then
silence. The danger was apparently
over and she ventured To the edge OF
the shed and looked afield.
The new presentment was one cal
culated to Inspire relief and sense
of security. The airplane had landed
not fifty feet away and was notion
less and silent now. young man N
conventional flying costume had alight-
ed and was busily engaged IN tinker
ing about the engine Of the plane.
His agility. what Of his face showed.
CHEEKY whistle attracted Ehie She
timidly advanced. The aviator noticed
her, smiled pleasinsly and suspended
his work temporarily.
Your farm, guessT' he spoke In
clear mellow tones. "No one will hunt
me of II | get on my way soon. ehf'
"oh! indeed not" replied Etlie
quickly. I'VE are all quite interested
In airpanes. In fact my brother. who
was overseas, did something In hy-
ing"
"Did he, now?" projected Dick Nor
ley. Il must hunt him up"
'He Is not at home just now" ex-
planned Efie. hut 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 10
Bramnton trying to establish scheti-
ule for regular service later on. one
OF the valve rockers slipped out OF
true and | came down TO repair IT,"
He resumed his work on the engine.
restored his tools 10 a box aboard
and got ready to resume his flight.
And what are thoseg" inquired Ef-
tie as she noticed two small fiags
lying on the drivers seat.
"wig-wags.s answered Dick-"slgnai
figs | report AT the fxed station
we pass" lie studied the pretty,
glowing face before him with admlra-
tion and seemed reluctant to depart.
He put in the time asking Etiie 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 Efiie fiuttered her handker-
chief In return. Just after that on
his out trip Dick dropped a pretty
nosegay. The second trip succeeding
he let loose a box of chocolate creams.
sit is getting interesting and seri-
Gus" Efiie told herself with con.
scious flush. Her brother returned
that evening. The clever little potter
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
Ellie the code
I've heard your brother has come
home Miss Rawson,' Dick said when
next they met. Tell him am eager to
meet him. BY the way. why stopped
It's a queer reason. met Miss
Olive Randall at Mldvale today"
"Oh yes, she is n very dear friend. &"
spoke Ellie with animation.
"She told me So" returned Dick,
"and she fancied II would be won
derful thing to send you a letter by
airplane Here Ii 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
~ In. the eyes as he spoke, and Ehie
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 win please not read mine until
/ have resumed my flight" said Dick.
II was womanlike that Effie should
open 1t 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 appar-
entity joyful mood. She was the vivid
life of the family circle all that eve
ming.
Once in her room. a happy. dreamy
expression on her animated face.
Effie took the two signal flags from
their place over the mirror and prae-
ticed wig-wagging lndustriously for
half an hour. She was out In the
field next morning a long time before
speck In the distance gradually
grew to the plainly distinguishable pro-
| portions of an airplane.
She was rQneafinp nvar fn harSalg