The Coolidge examiner., 1931-01-02
Narrowly Missed
Claws of Dragon
By H. LOUIS RAYBOLD

reminds me of you, and I'm tax
ing a flight with him Wednesday.
Wish it were you, old dear.
Pat"
Lieut.. Kenneth Barrows returned
the note to its pale-blue envelope
and sighed deeply. Patricia, ador-
ably satisfying when present, was
deviishly unsatisfying when ab-
sent SO casual about Roger, so
tantalizing about the aviator fell
low. SO-so-hang it all, if only
he could once capture her he could
keep her, but uncaught he would
never feel sure Of her.
OF course that mercenary old fe-
male relative had a keen eye for the
Drake millions, and no eye at all
for Ken.
He withdrew the missive and re-
read it, searching for those mes
sages which are popularity supposed
to be hidden between the lines.
Poor sleuth that he was, he un-
earthed nothing. Yet, as he re
folded it, an idea from somewhere
smote him.
The following day, Miss Patricia
Allen sat in her bedroom and pom
dered deeply. 81 wonder" she
ruminated, "if | should telegraph
Ken to fly up here and kidnap me,
if he would do it. We could fly to
New York and" her eyes began
to sparkle. She jumped up, jammed
on her yellow sports hat, and
slipped down to send her impul-
sive message. You see, Patty didn't
know that at that very time Ken
was working along line of his
own.
Wednesday afternoon two planes
might have been discovered on the
aviation field in the rear of the
Lakeview inn, but one was more or
less concealed behind some trees
and Iow-growing shrubs, having
been wheeled there for that pur-
pose.
you see, old boy" Ken explained
to the lad who was earning a fair
amount by taking the inns guests
for short flights. ''it's my one chance
to get my girl away from the
clutches of a female dragon. Now
you let me take your place at the
last moment when the girl is seat
ed. She won't recognize this plane
and you can use mine until my re-
turn. Same engine and controls
luckily. Thanks"
1t was a perfect afternoon for
flight. with blue skies and startling
ly clear views. Ken's heart missed
a beat or two as, according 70
preconceived plan, he stepped forth
at the last moment and climbed into
the plane beside its solitary pas
senger, toward whom he did not
dare to look. He was sure Of his
identity remaining undisclOsed un-
til he was ready to reveal it. He
was wondering just what Aunt Julia
would say when the plane failed to
return with her niece and she was
handed the note he had left for her
with the other flyer.
For some moments he was occu-
pied in skillful manipulation of the
plane, but once it had reached the
desired altitude and was circlin2
evenly. he spoke as quietly as he
could for the roar of the engines.
Don't be frightened, Patty. It's
Ken. Well be married in Warren
Vile | had to get you away from
the old she-dragOn somehow"
His companion turned to him.
and half lifted the visor of her
helmet
"Meaning-me"
Ken's passenger was Aunt Julia.
Spectators who had been watch
ing the plane saw it dip suddenly
and twirl dizZily dOwnwards. Ken
told Patty afterwards that he
thought for a moment a crash to
earth would be the best way out of
it. Then it righted suddenly, but
to the surprise of the other avia-
tor, turned back toward the inn.
And presently it glided gracefully
down to the grassy meadow and
the gathered group of bystanders.
Aunt Julia had said nothing fur
ther and climbed out without COM
ment AS she started across the
field with her head held high, a
slim figure detached itself from the
crowd and ran over Wasn't 1t
wonderful, Auntie? Like nothing
you ever experienced before"
Aunt Julia paused and those
who caught her words are still puz-
z1ipu over them
Nothing, Patricia. No one ever,
not even your sainted uncle at his
worst, ever called me to my face
an old she-dragon before! !"
"Why-what-" Patty seemed
stunned. Had the high altitude af-
fected her mind?
''Take him, if you want him"
went on Aunt Julia. "What do you
suppose he'll be calling you some
day?"-
Kenneth stepped forward. "Pat-
ty," he said in a low voice, "this is
too public a place for explanations.
l don't know how this mixup hap
pened-"
"But-but how did you get here
so soon? 1 only just telegraphed a
few minutes ago. l got Aunt Julia
to take my place in the plane to get
her out of the way!"
II say, Pat" he said desperate
ly. MY plane is here. I'll get it
and We'll take a spin"
And SO for from thp c11riouS