Evening star., 1926-10-25

eyes glared. His lips NUT
tered imprecations as slowly
~ the airplane slid down into this
alfalfa field But other emo.
tions than rage had him now by the
old tanned neck and he sank defect
his head, his hands, his shoulders
droop as they had for an hour be-
fore he heard that devilish roaring.
"Durn tn thing! Durn! Durn"'
he whispered. But the flame of his
anger burned low today, quenched by
sorrow. He did not lift his head
when a young fellow in helmet and
leather aviation suit let himself
through the honeysuckle gate and
approached him. He did not lift his
head when a deep young voice said:
Good afternoon, sir!'
A fly buzzed about his bald crown.
Jabez shook his head feebly. The
aviator sat down beside him. His
head, his hands, his shoulders droop-
ed. The aviator sighed deeply. Jabez
stirred one foot. The aviator sighed
again very, very deeply. Jabez snort
You think you got troubles, do
yuh?' he yelled.
II do, pardner"
The aviator's voice was exceedingly
mournful.
well, you amt. You amt got a
daughter, be yuh?'
NO"
Your daughter amt run off. has
she, with a 50-year old ja1lbird?''
The aviator sat up straight.
How do you know she went With
a 5O-year-old jailbird?" The aviator's
hands were clenched.
We'll, that's all the mans been
round here for some time t I've seen.
l can't figger out anybody else"
The aviator opened his mouth.
Then he put his hand over it. Pres
emily he asked and he seemed not to
have any interest in the question or
it's answer:
"Why don't you go and get her,
bring her back, save her from the
ancient jailbird?"
why you sky-fool, they took m
car"
Jabez did not see the look of peace
and contentment that came and sat
on the young mans tanned face.
HIN" he only asked thoughtfully
"got a radio?'
Jabez sat up with a jerk. He stood
up. He began to shake. He fixed his
glaring eyes on the young man.
That's another thing 1 don't be-
lieve in. It's agin nacher. Agin ma
cher. Talkin' right through thou
sands O. miles O. air without wires
IS agin nacher. Bad's f1yin'! Don't
you s'pose if we'd been meant to fly
we'd a been gave wings in the first
place."
Deep the aviator made his voice.
and mournful and louder than the
voice Of Jabez.
"A 55-year-old jailbird. My! I feel
sorry for you, man. It's a shame.
That's what it is. Tsssst.''
The hands Of Jabez fell from their
high gesturing. His shoulders slump
ed. His eyes ceased to glare. Their
rims grew red. His knees shook.
Suddenly the aviator jumped to his
feet, Jabez felt himself clapped on
the back.
Tell you, old scout" came hearty
jovial voice in the ear of Jabez, lets
climb in my old bus, go and save
Mir--er your daughter from that pie
faced loon. Come on. Show me the
gasoline tank. We can get to Kansas
City easy in 25 minutes. Come on. |
tell you. Ha, ha. ha"'
Slowly Jabez turned. and the next
second he was running. running over
the green grass toward a shed. He
threw The door open. painting, point
ed to galvanized tank.
"All right. Now do you want to
go and get into my other togs while
fill the machine up?" the aviator
asked JabeZ.
Jabez considered.
You won't go flynn off and leave
me?" he questioned, anxiously.
mot if you hurry" the aviator
called back as he leaped fence with
two gallons Of gasoline.
Nor did he fly off. Indeed, there
was not time before Jabez came gal
Looping over the alfalfa. He had collar
in one hand, coat over his arm, his
suspenders dragged about his hips.
He climbed into the pit the aviator
showed him. The aviator helped ia
bez put on his collar, his coat. He
strapped JabeZ in. FINALLY Jabez
roared:
Get a move on you, young man.
Hustler'
There was joyful, noisy running