Evening star., 1926-06-16


settle the matter and Frances approves the
plan Rogers taunts Jimmy into betting
100000 on the race and the reporter. with
Two days to make arrangements. finds him.
ssl without ,h funds to conduct his race
BY the next day. Jimmy Brandon
had decided. After all; there was
but one place in New York where
he could borrow the money he need
cd. 1t was no tiny sum and ne had
neglected his friends in the States
during his long years of travelling,
soldering and newswriting in every
corner of the globe.
But there was still Billy Crane. He
did not see Billy often. but he knew
Rilly was always at hand. Billy was
that sort. And fortunately he was
wealthy. with an inherited broker
age business we'll under his thumb.
A few years before. as flying in
structor al Kelly Field, Jimmy had
taught Crane. then a raw recruit,
how to fly an airplane; and later,
over the lines in France, the two
had been together.
1t was midafternoon, however. be-
fore he arrived at the Crane residence.
making his plans. They were not too
involved. Regardless of Rogers
route. he had determined to fly
straight across the continent. taking
ship at Seattle for Yokohama. He
had been able to make arrange
ments that morning for a plane that
would be awaiting HIM on Long Is
land shortly after noon Of the fol-
lowing day. And kilograms AMI
cables had been dispatched to the far
corners of the earth to insure his
expeditions passage through various
countries.
There was still work to be done,
however, great deal. He hoped
as he entered the house. that Billy
Crane was at home. He had not too
much time to spare.
A servant took his hat and stick
but informed him that the master
was not at home. Jimmy frowned.
You expect him. suppose. When?'
Almost any time. sir. Miss Natalie
Is here"
Then he remembered. "Oh, yes. I'm
afraid I've never met Miss Natalie.
though"
He broke off. One of the high
doors off the big hallway had opened,
and framed there stood a girl Jimmy
remembered that Billy had often
spoken of his sister: he had. how
ever, never met her. During every
period that he had been in town.
the girl had been away at school.
and recently. he recalled. she had
completed trip about Europe.
She came forward with a slow
smile. Jimmy noted casually her daz-
Zlingly white teeth, her very red,
I. ,ts =
eyes-Strangely understanding and
calm brown eyes for one SO young,
he thought. But that was all. She
was Billy's sister Beyond that. he
had affairs, and women did not enter
them.
rs this really Mr.. Brandon-at
last" she demanded. ''If 1t is, you
must come in and wait. I'm Natalie
-Billy's sister"
Jimmy hesitated. You're sure
he II be back soon
''At any minute" she assured him.
But is that very complimentary.
Mr.. Brandon, after I've been hearing
about you for years and waiting for
Just a sight of YOU
I'm sorry he exclaimed hastily
and turned over his gloves to the
waiting man. who made off with them
Horribly sorry" he added. following
the girl into the wide. highceiling
living room. with its four great por-
traits of dead Cranes staring from
either wall.
THE fact is" he explained as he
sat down. I'm in rather bad shape.
You'll have to forgive me If I'm off
on tangents. I'm starting tomorrow
on a race around the world"
She exclaimed with delight. In. the
L.. l.; lao,
ing forward and eagerly explaining
the whole affair. carefully avoiding,
of course. it's inception. 1t was
pleasant, he realized vaguely. to
sit and talk this way. and with
such sympathetic listener. He
hadn't thought it possible to talk so
much of himself.
And you made this bet only yes
terday?" she exclaimed. "At the
club?"
He hesitated. Mo- he admit
ted. "At Miss Lassiter's home. You
know her?"
The girl bit her lips; but instantly
she had recovered.
"of course. That is. I've met her.
I haven't been back here long, you
see."
She stood up as the outer door
closed heavily and a voice was heard
in the hall. "Billy's home" she an.
nounced.
In the next instant, the door OPEN
ed and Crane came into the room
with a cry Of pleasure. He was a
slightly older and slightly more corpu.
liant Billy Crane than Jimmy last re-
nembered, and he was glad, vaguely,
that he had never gone into business.
1--WE got to see you. Billy-pronto."
he announced, when the greetings
were over. I've come to you for help"
The young broker looked from his
friend to his sister, smiled Wryly
and then pointed to another door
which opened into his den. With a
short .bow to the girl. Jimmy pre-.
ceded him inside. When the door
was. closed behind him, Billy chuc-
killed..
I'm afraid you've got yourself in
wrong, old SON. he declared. Here S
Natalie been waiting to see the glori-
Gus Jimmy Brandon, for five-or-siX
wears. and you walk off and leave
her fiat on first sight. You dog.
you're not the lady's man you were!
WAS | ever one?" Jimmy inquired
mildly. Your sister is charming.
Billy; I. had time to discover that.
What does she do?''
Chiefly" smiled Crane, "she emu
lates a certain hero whom she took
to her heart back in the war days.
when you were teaching me how to
f1y. l took her up in plane three
times since she's been out of school,
and then she wanted to become an