The central record. (Lancaster, Ky.) 18??-current, 1920-02-05
An Aerial
Proposal
IN
By VICTOR REDcLIppE

shed as though that frnil shelter
would protect her from the descent
of what suggested to her some deyour-
iug monster 90 the air aimed strnightl
for the spot. II was an airplane. and
she knew this. but rs u shot toward
her a vivid terror overcame her. She
shrunk back and covered her face
with her hands Nothing happened
There had come n chugglng and then
| dumping sound outside and then
silence. The danger WAS apparently
over and she ycntured 20 the edge OF
the shed and looked aheld
The new prcsentment was one cal.
culated 10 inspire relief and a sense
of security. The airplane had landed
not nifty feet away and was motion
less and silent now. A young man In
conventional flying costume had alight
ell and was busily engaged In tinker.
ms about the engine Of the plane.
His agility. what Of his face showed.
CHEEKY whistle attracted Effie. She
timldly advanced. The aviator noticed
her. smiled piessingly and suspended
his work temporarily.
your farm. guessi" he spoke In
clear. mellow tones. mo one will hunt
mo OF II get ON my way soon. ehy'
"Oh! indeed not" replied Eiiie
quickly. I'VE are all quite Interested
In airplanes. In fact my brother. who
was overseas. did something In ny.
ing"
did he. nowy" projected Dick Nor
ley. Il must hunt him up"
"IIe IL not At home just now" ex.
plained Effe. but he would be glad
to meet you. know. Haven't We no
ticed your plane pass over several
times latelyi"
Very likely" responded Dick.
"you see. it's part % the experimental
mir service. fly from Merrill 10
Brampton trying 10 establish a SEIZED.
ule for regular service later on. one
Of the valve rockers slipped out Of
true and came down To repair a."
lie resumed his work on the engine
restored his tools TO boz aboard
and got ready TO resume his flight
And what are thosei" inquired RI
ne Ms she noticed two small nags
lying on the drivers seat.
"wig.wags." answered Dick-"signai
Gags. I report nj the fixed station
We pass" He studied the pretty.
glowing face before him with admira-
ton and seemed reluctant to depart.
lie put In the time asking Effie about
her brother and they parted at least
acQuaintances.
Every other day for a week the alr.l
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
1T Ia getting interesting and seri.
ous." Efie 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 IN alb
sorbed listener In his sister. In order
60 demonstrate the utility Of the air
signals he brought out two nags.
"You can keep those rs souvenirs.
sister" he said. and proceeded to teach
Enc the code.
"rye heard your brother has come
home. Miss Rawson." Dick said when
next they met. ''rell him am eager "a
meet him. by the way. why stoppedi
It's a queer reason. I met a Miss
olive Randall at Midvale today"
"oh yes. she Is very dear friend"
spoke Efiie with animation.
"She told me So" returned Dick.
"and she fancled II would be won.
derful thing TO send you a letter by
airplane. Here II Is"
"But." spoke Efie. glancng at the
extended hand "there are two let
ters"
"Yes. one ~ them Is from myself"
explained Dick. lie looked her close
IL in the eyes as he spoke and Efie
experienced a strange thrill. as though
his ardent gaze expressed the partial
suppression Of some deep emotion.
She flushed as she toyed with the two
misslyes.
you viii please not read mine until
u nave rtsulhtu my HiShis Nath ht'Af
IL was womanlike that Ellie should
open Il FIRST. after Dick had speeded
on his way. The bloom upon her fair
cheek was intensified as she did 81.
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,
Efhe took the two signal hags from
, their place over the mirror and prac-
. tlced wig.waggine industriously for,
half an hour. She was out IN theI
field next morning a long time beforel
speck Ia the distance gradually
1 grew 10 the plainly dlstingulshable pro
:. portions Of an airplane.
She Was repeating over to hersel
!, the brief but telling contents OF IN
letter Dick Morley had written to her
II was 20 the point. and II told her
I gaA AL .s1 hA