Air Wonder Stories, December 1929 — page 34: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

had it failed to arrive at its destination on time. Not even the worst of storms had marred its splendid record, ‘Daring the early evening Richard enjoyed the flight immensely. For some minutes he amused himself by looking ee through the windows of an observation deck upon the waves of the great Atlantic. From time to time surface ships—mere toys they looked from that height—slid past and soon disappeared into the west. At last, when he had tired-of looking at the’sea, he went into the news room, read the latest bulletins, and then retired to his stateroom to dress. He had seen but little of Herrick, who was now very busy, sending radiograms attending to matters-which he had neglected during his short stay at Manning’s home. When twelve o'clock came, however (they had-set their watches at once five hours ahead to Paris time) Uncle Dick joined Manning, and they- went into the brightly-lighted dining-room. It-was well filled with diners in evening attire and, above the buzz of conver- sation, could be~heard the strains of an orchestra. At- tentive waiters, parbed in spotless white, glided. with heavily-laden trays to and from the kitchen. Mr, Richard ‘Herrick Manning was just in the act of cutting a-particularly juicy piece of filet mignon, smothered in onions, when a delicate’ aroma of violets assailed his nostrils and the steward swept by with a stylishly dressed: young lady, of possibly twenty-two years, in tow. He found: the girl a-seat at a nearby table, facing Manning. That gentleman, forgetting himself for an instant, ceased cutting the steak to. stare after her, As she seated: herself, she gave him a cold glance, and, very much embarrassed, he fell to-eating industriously. When he again plucked up courage enough to glance furtively in her direction, the smile on her face reassured him that she was. not altogether displeased by his admiration. He colored, but managed to smile back. As he later said to Herrick: “She is, without doubt, the-most beautiful girl I have ever_seen, Uncle Dick, Her eyes, her-hair, her lips, are perfect.” “Rot, Richard! perfect rot!” Hetrick had scoffed: “who ever heard of a cold-blooded-scientist falling in. love at first sight ?-Why, boy, the idea is preposterous !” Richard, however, was not so-sure. After dinner, while he. was-reading in the library, a breath of: that soft perfume came to him-again; and he looked up, just in-time to see Her disappear through a door into the salon. But, glory! There on the floor in front of hint lay a bit of lace and chiffon. Like a shot, he was out of his chair and-after the fair: one who had let-it-fall. Amid the groups in the salon, he picked-his. way. and at last caught up with his goddess, just as she was entering the ballroom. “Pardon me,” he said, holding up the little handker- chief, “but did you not drop this?” ~ “Oh how. careless of me!” she-exclaimed, in what Richard thought an extraordinarily pleasing voice: “Thank you, ever so much.” There was-an awkward pause; and then the orchestra struck up a lively tune. He spurred his courage—“May I have this dance?” he asked boldly. “Why !”—she hesitated, and capitulated—"I guess s0.” The next moment she was in his arms and they were whirling over the polished floor. Richard Herrick, who stood idly watching the dancets, had- seen them. “Humph!” he snorted, and:strolled-back into the salon. But Richard Manning did tot see him. At that moment he was incapable of seeing anything. AIR WONDER STORIES CHAPTE? III The “Phantom” Returns OR one who was unfamiliar with: the wiles of wotnen, Richard progressed famously. He learned that the youthful-beauty’s name was Margaret Huntington, and that her journey to Patis was in order to join her. father, Professor R. L. Huntington, whom Richard. knew -well-as- one of the world’s greatest physicists. . pon learning: her father’s name, he —— expressed his interest, an actual one, in the theory which Professor Huntington had most recently advanced ; but, in reality, his principal interest at that. moment was centered on the daughtér. No one, however, could blame him; for, with her auburn hair, her cool eyes, and her clear-creamy-skin faintly tinged-with pink, she was indeed beautiful. Perhaps, though, the interest was not. all one-sided; for the clear-eyed, tanned young athlete had, unknown to himself, often.made many a young: lady's heart flutter, ~ Although Richard never dreamed of it at the mo- ment, it was not:altogether strange that the innocent little bit of Jace and chiffon’ should have managed to drop directly:in front of his chair, For more than-an hour: the young couple alternately danced and chatted upon the cosy after-deck into which the ballroom. opened, where couples sat out the inter+ missions, It seemed, already, that they had been life- long friends. But the rapid course of the giant air-liner to the east was causing time to redouble.its pace, The hour was-still late at New York; but it was far into ~ the early morning at Paris. Up there, far to the north inthe Atlantic, day wastushing to meet them; in less than an hout-it would dawn. The orchestra ceased ; the lights in the ballroom were turned down. “Oh!” exclaimed the girl rising hurriedly, “who would have thought it is-so late?” Tt seemed-as though Richard: held her hand a trifle longer-than was-necessary, as he bade her good-night; but,-if he did, she seemed not to mind. Fora time after the lights had been dimmed, Richard stood at the observation window, looking downwards and back, and listened to the steady drone of the motors, Once, a brightly-lighted steamer passed below and flashed.a huge Searchlight upward; but it-soon faded from: sight and only a faint-glow from its rear lights was left to soften the pitchy blackness of the sea. At last the captain of the huge <air-liner—a_ jolly, likeable sort_of a chap—came out-on the rear deck. He greeted Richard, whom he knew well, and the two chatted about various things. “Say!” remarked the captain, suddenly pointing astern, “what does that leok like to you?” Richard looked. and managed to make out a. tiny pin-prick of light which-seemed to be moving rapidly in their direction. “Tt looks like a shooting-star to me,” he replied, “but it must be some other-ship.” “Hm-m,” mused the captain: “Yes, it looks: like a shooting-stat ; but it moves: a little too slow and lasts too long, On the other hand, it moves too fast for an ordinary ship. There’s not.a ship built that can over- haul the Ambassador when she is moving so near her maximum speed, as we are now. It might be a scouting plane, but: it doesn’t appear like one. Yes, that light is steadily growing brighter.” It was true. As they yer the light had steadily become larger and more illiant.