e
her talk with Mr. Harding, all the clouds had been chased from it now.
She watched as eagerly as a girl while Roy and Peggy, aided by Jess and
Jimsy and two other lads, friends of Roy's from the village, dragged the
brand new aeroplane up the hillside.

The excited chatter and laughter of the young folks rang out merrily as
they worked--for it was work to get the 'plane, light as it was, up the
grade. Fortunately--for Roy had no desire of a crowd to witness his
initial ascent in the new 'plane--the Prescott house was some distance
out of the village, and there were no near neighbors. The place had, in
fact, once been a farm house, and although the acreage still was in the
possession of Miss Prescott it was not worked.

A more ideal place for flying could not be imagined. Smooth
slopes--unwooded, except in clumps--were all about. To the north
glimmered the sparkling waters of Long Island Sound, while to the south
stretched fertile farming land, devoted to crop-raising and pasturage.

Very business-like the young people looked as they hauled the monoplane
up the hill. Roy and Jimsy wore leather puttees, trousers fashioned
somewhat like riding breeches, and leather coats. On their heads were
caps of the latter material, well padded within and provided with visors
pierced with goggles.

The girls wore shirt waists, outing skirts and "sensible" walking boots.
Jess had on her "Shaker" motoring bonnet, in which she looked very
captivating indeed. Peggy's glossy hair, unadorned, but tightly confined
in a net, formed her hair covering. Both girls were all a-tiptoe with
excitement, for although Roy had had experience with aeroplanes, and so,
in a limited way, had Jimsy, this feature of the sport was new to them.

At last the summit was reached, and Roy, after calling a halt, took a
brief but comprehensive survey of the Golden Butterfly. This done, he
climbed into the chassis--or body--of the thing, and leaning over the
machinery he rapidly tested all the adjustments and examined the
lubricating devices to see that all was in order. Everything appeared to
be.

"Well," said Roy, with some self complacency, stepping out of the
machine, "everything seems to be ready for the initial flight of the
Golden Butterfly, my lords and gentlemen."

"And ladies, if you please," put in Jess, in a voice that was vibrant
with excitement, despite her endeavor to keep calm.

"And ladies," added Roy, with a gallant bow in her direction.