Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1933-08-17
Bills Mistake
By LOUISE LANGDALE
q. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service.

- met and hung II into tne ak
"Heighor' he exclaimed, recapturing
1t, zone more flight under instruction
and I'll be allowed to solo. Wonder
who'll take me tomorrow-nOt that II
makes much difference" he added, lit.
tie knowing just how much difference
1t was going to make.
| The next morning when he reported
at the Middlesex airport, run by
retired major from Washington. Bill
found a marked absence Of activity.
"Where is everybody" he asked.
"Air meet, sir, In Northport. The
boss left word you were to go up with
Miss Wilmott. Said she'd be waiting
at No. hangar"
Bill did not know Ida Wilmott, but
he had heard of her as an extremely
capable, fearless pilot. In spite Of her
reputation, however, Bill wasn't keen
about taking his last bit Of instruction
from a woman.
Strolling down to No. hangar, he
found a slim, knickered. helmetted fig-
ure adjusting goggles, drawing ON
gloves. There was little Of her face to
be seen beyond slightly tip-tilted
nose and a rather fetching, firm little
chin.
81 presume you are waiting for me-"
said Bill.
II presume l am" remarked the slim
figure, gravely impersonally.
He took Off gracefully. So far, so
good. His able companion he felt
could have done no better.
Little by little, Bill, who was a born
flyer, began-absurdly, Of course-to
resent the presence of one who was
undoubtedly, so he felt, criticising
his technique, and that one a woman.
An obsession seized him to show off
before her. Later, he might recognize
this desire as the primitive urge Of
the male to strut before the female
and be properly ashamed. But. for the
moment, he allowed himself to be car
ried away by 1t.
Higher and higher he mounted,
turned and came up Into the wind,
dipped earthward and recovered
pulled side-slipping stunt his instruc-
tor had showed him yesterday.
Suddenly he felt a touch on his
shoulder. His companion was handing
him tiny folded note.
"Can you loop the loop?"
So she was trying him out, was
she? Bill looped the loop for her, moi
once but several times. All, how he
loved it-this fyingl The great earth
spread out below In queer patches
that were sometimes cities, sometimes
country. sometimes ocean. The feel
ing that he was at one with the
birds, the winds, the stars. with any
thing not earthbound. II ever he met
a girl who felt about flying as he
did. :.
He remembered that another task
was still before him, that of making a
graceful landing. Nothing more
marked the tyro than to come in on
one wheel or trailing a wing.
Spiralling above the field, he saw
several black specks moving about
with an activity similar to that
ascribed to molecules. The specks re-
solved themselves into human beings
and an automobile very much like the
one belonging to tire major who, Bill
ferventIy trusted, was attending the
air meet
The major was a conservative old
cuss, all for safety first and no stunt
flying.
Bills Joy IN a perfect three-point
landing was spoiled by the fact that
the major was not at the air meet but
beside the hangar, Enthusiastically wait
ing for Bill as he TAXED to a stand
still.
Bin read IN the majors face that
he was in for no ordinary reprimand.
What a mistake he had made, showing
of before a woman he had never seen
before.
He stepped out and turned to assist
his companion. The major grabbed
hts arm.
"what INN Heavens name do you
mean"
His words were choked by the
startling action Of Bills recent flying
partner who flung her arms about the
majors neck. "Don't scold him. You
promised me-"
II promised you I'd send somebody
competent to take you up, not young
whipper snapper without any license.
What do you mean, young man, by
nearly killing my niece?"
"Your niece" Bill looked blank. II
didn't know Miss Wilmott was your
niecew
The major became, If possible, more
apoplectic In countenance. "Who said
Miss Wilmott was my niece? Who
said anything about Miss Wilmott? My
niece comes on her from Washington
crazy to fly. bring her out here and
tell her to wait until I get somebody
to take her up. Come back to find her
gone with young fool trying to break
her neck"
Bill stood abjectedly twirling his
helmet. Suddenly, he felt the pressure
Of q slender hand on his arm. Hell
get over It soft voice whispered
"And-oh, It was wonderful Next
time" she smiled and said no more.
Bill thrilled. She would 70 again
| ..aSA, htv,, Che lovaH e 4. -. StA A.H