not for Brotherson.
His fears were for Oswald, whose slowly gathering strength could illy
bear the strain which this additional anxiety for his brother's life
must impose upon him. As for Doris, she was in a state of excitement
more connected with the past than with the future. That afternoon she
had laid her hand in that of Orlando Brotherson, and wished him well.
She! in whose breast still lingered reminiscences of those old doubts
which had beclouded his image for her at their first meeting. She had
not been able to avoid it. His look was a compelling one, and it had
demanded thus much from her; and--a terrible thought to her gentle
spirit--he might be going to his death!

It had been settled by the prospective aviator that they were to watch
for the ascent from the mouth of the grassy road leading in to the
hangar. The three were to meet there at a quarter to eight and await
the stroke and the air-cars rise. That time was near, and Mr. Challoner,
catching a glimpse of Oswald's pallid and unnaturally drawn features, as
he set down the lantern he carried, shuddered with foreboding and wished
the hour passed.

Doris' watchful glance never left the face whose lightest change was
more to her than all Orlando's hopes. But the result upon her was not to
weaken her resolution, but to strengthen it. Whatever the outcome of the
next few minutes, she must stand ready to sustain her invalid through
it. That the darkness of early evening had deepened to oppression, was
unnoticed for the moment. The fears of an hour past had been forgotten.
Their attention was too absorbed in what was going on before them, for
even a glance overhead.

Suddenly Mr. Challoner spoke.

"Who is the man whom Mr. Brotherson has asked to go up with him?"

It was Oswald who answered.

"He has never told me. He has kept his own counsel about that as about
everything else connected with this matter. He simply advised me that I
was not to bother about him any more; that he had found the assistant he
wanted."

"Such reticence seems unpardonable. You have--displayed great patience,
Oswald."

"Because I understand Orlando. He reads men's natures like a book. The
man he trusts, we may trust. To-morrow, he will speak openly enough. All
cause for reticence will be gone."

"You have confidence then in the success of this undertaking?"

"If I hadn't, I should not be here. I could hardly bear to witness his
failure, even in a secret test like this. I sh