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The Boy Aviators in Record Flight by Wilbur Lawton
"Phew!" exclaimed Billy Barnes as he reported for work on the New York Planet one broiling afternoon in late August, "this is a scorcher and no mistake."
"I should think after all your marvelous adventures with the Boy Aviators that you would be so used to heat and cold and hardship that you wouldn't kick at a little thing like a warm day."
The remark came from a young fellow about twenty-one years old who occupied a desk beside that of the stout spectacled youth of eighteen whom our readers have already met as Billy Barnes.
"Why, hullo, Fred Reade!" said Billy, looking up with a good-natured grin from the operation of opening his typewriter desk, "I thought you were off covering aviation."
"I was," rejoined the other, with a near approach to a sneer, "but since we printed your story about the recovery of the treasure on the Spanish galleon I guess they think I'm not good enough to cover the subject."
If the good-natured Billy Barnes noticed the close approach to outspoken enmity with which these words were spoken he gave no sign of it. Any reply he might have made was in fact cut short at that minute by an office boy who approached him.
"Mr. Stowe wants to see you, Mr. Barnes, at once, please," said the lad.
"There you go, the managing editor sending for you as soon as you get back. I wish I was a pet," sneered Reade as Billy hastened after the boy and the next minute entered a room screened off from the editorial department by a glass door bearing the words "Managing Editor."
At a desk above which hung "This is my busy day," and other signs not calculated to urge visitors to become conversational, sat a heavy-set, clean-shaven man with a big pair of spectacles astride his nose. He had a fat cigar in his mouth which he regarded as he spoke with far more intensity than he did Billy.
"Afternoon, Barnes," was his greeting.
"Good afternoon, Mr. Stowe," returned the young reporter, "you sent for me--"
"Sit down," said the other brusquely, indicating a chair.
Billy sat down and waited for the next words of his managing editor.
"The Planet, as you know, has made a specialty of featuring aviation," continued Mr. Stowe, gazing fixedly at his cigar.
Billy nodded, the remark did not seem to call for a more definite reply.
"We have offered prizes for flights from time to time, and in this way have obtained a reputation as an authority on aviation and a patron of what is bound to be the vehicle of the coming ages."
Again Billy nodded at the managing editor's rather florid way of putting it.
"For instance, the $10,000 Albany-New York flight and the $30,000 New York-St. Louis flight. The $100,000 offer for a transatlantic flight as yet remains unchallenged for, but I have no doubt that in time some daring aviator will make the attempt."
"It should be possible," once more agreed Billy, wondering what was coming next.
"In the meantime," Mr. Stowe continued, "the Despatch has declared itself our rival in this field by also devoting great attention to the subject, and offering prizes for flights in opposition to our original idea. The owner of the Planet has therefore decided to eclipse all previous offers and be the first in the field with a prize of $50,000 for a flight from New York to San Francisco, or as far in that direction as possible. The air craft that travels furthest will get the prize."
"Across the continent?" gasped Billy.
"Exactly. We are going to publish the conditions and date of starting in our to-morrow morning's issue. And the offer incidentally means a great chance for you."
Billy gave a questioning glance.
"I intend to have you follow the racers in an automobile and send dispatches from the various points along the route concerning the progress of the cross-country aerial racers."
The young reporter's face beamed.
"That's mighty good of you, sir," he said earnestly.
"Not at all. It's simply the selection of the best man for the job; that's all. You have far more knowledge of aviation than Reade-or at least you ought to have after your long association with the Boy Aviators-and therefore we have selected you."
"As to the conditions of the race, Mr. Stowe-how about stops, gasolene and water stations, and so on?"
"Each contestant will be expected to arrange those details for himself," was the answer. "This newspaper simply offers the prize to the first aeroplane to arrive in San Francisco, or go furthest in that direction. Also, of course, we claim the privilege of getting exclusive accounts of the doings of the Planet aeroplanes. That's all. Simple, isn't it?"
"Very," agreed Billy as he took his leave. "By the way, sir, does any one else know of your offer?"
"Nobody; not even Reade. I guess he's pretty sore that we took him off aviation on the eve of making the prize offer, but it can't be helped."
"Why, I-you see, sir, I'd rather not take it, if it is blocking Reade in any way. I don't want to take the assignment at all if it's going to hurt Reade with the paper."
The managing editor gave an impatient wave of his hand.
"Let me attend to Reade," he remarked impatiently, "you go and get out a story for to-morrow about possible contestants. Of course your friends, the Chester boys, will enter?"
Billy looked dubious.
"I don't know," he replied. "I rather think they were planning for a rest and to continue their studies, and this cross-country flight won't be any picnic. However, I hope they do enter," replied Billy.
"I had no idea that there would be any doubt about it," said Mr. Stowe impatiently, "well, do the best you can. Anyhow, get interviews with Blewitt, Sharkness and Auldwin. They will be sure to enter their machines, and let's have a good, live story for to-morrow. By the way, not a word of this to anybody but the aviators you may see till we publish the offer. The Despatch would be quite capable of offering a similar prize to-morrow morning if they learned what was in the wind."
Billy nodded as Mr. Stowe once more gave a sign of dismissal, and hastened from the room. So hurried was his exit, in fact, that he almost bumped into Reade as he made his way out. The editorial room was deserted, except for the dark-haired, slender young fellow with whom Billy had almost collided. The other reporters were all out on their assignments.
"Well?" were Fred Reade's first words.
"Well," rejoined Billy, adjusting his spectacles, which had narrowly escaped being jarred off his nose in the bump, "isn't there room enough in the place without your getting so near that door that you almost upset my slender form?"
"Never mind that," replied Frank Reade; "what I want to know is, how do I stand in there?"
He motioned with his head toward the managing editor's room from which the boys were by this time several paces removed.
"I don't understand you exactly," was Billy's reply. He noticed that Reade's face bore an angry flush and he seemed excited.
"What I mean is this: Am I going to continue to do aviation for the Planet?"
"Say, Fred, old man, I'm awfully sorry--"
"Oh, cut that out. You don't mean it, and you know you don't. You wanted to grab off the job for yourself, and I can see by your face that you have."
"If you mean that I am to do aviation for the Planet in future, you are right," replied Billy. "I am; but it was only on Mr. Stowe's orders. You're wrong, Fred, and you know you are, when you accuse me of trying to take your job away from you."
"Oh, rot," exclaimed the other angrily. "If that had been the case you'd have kept away. You don't have to work. You made plenty of money out of your share of the Golden Galleon treasure. You have just deliberately tried to oust me from my job."
"You talk as if you'd been fired," said Billy. "You know that you are one of the most valued reporters on the Planet."
"Don't try to jolly me," rejoined the other angrily. "And as for being fired, I don't have to be, for I've got my resignation ready written out. Here copy boy!" he cried, "take this note in to Mr. Stowe."
As the boy hurried up Reade drew from his pocket an envelope and handed it to the lad.
"Hold on there!" cried Billy, genuinely moved at Reade's evident chagrin, "have you gone crazy, Fred? What's the matter?"
"Take that note in," thundered Reade to the hesitating boy, who thereupon hurried off, "it's your fault I've had to quit, Billy Barnes, and I'll not forget it, I can promise you. I'll get even with you for this in a way you don't suspect. No; I won't shake hands with you. I don't want to speak to you."
Reade flung angrily off and put on his coat and hat. Without taking any more notice of Billy he strode out of the Planet offices and into the street.
On the sidewalk he paused for a minute. His hat shoved back off his brow and his forehead puckered in perplexity.
"I'll do it," he exclaimed suddenly under his breath as if he had made up his mind to something. "I'll do it. The Despatch will jump at it, and I'll get even on Billy Barnes and the Planet at the same time."
The Ocean Wireless Boys on the Pacific by Wilbur Lawton
<div>Since the series' inception in 1915, the annual volumes of The Best American Short Stories have launched literary careers, showcased the most compelling stories of each year, and confirmed for all time the significance of the short story in our national literature. Now THE BEST AMERICAN SHORT STORIES OF THE CENTURY brings together the best -- fifty-six extraordinary stories that represent a century's worth of unsurpassed achievements in this quintessentially American literary genre. This expanded edition includes a new story from The Best American Short Stories 1999 to round out the century, as well as an index including every story published in the series.<br> Of all the writers whose work has appeared in the series, only John Updike has been represented in each of the last five decades, from his first appearance, in 1959, to his most recent, in 1998. Updike worked with coeditor Katrina Kenison to choose the finest stories from the years since 1915. The result is \"extraordinary . . . A one-volume literary history of this country's immeasurable pains and near-infinite hopes\" (Boston Globe).
Linsey was stood up by her groom to run off with another woman. Furious, she grabbed a random stranger and declared, "Let's get married!" She had acted on impulse, realizing too late that her new husband was the notorious rascal, Collin. The public laughed at her, and even her runaway ex offered to reconcile. But Linsey scoffed at him. "My husband and I are very much in love!" Everyone thought she was delusional. Then Collin was revealed to be the richest man in the world. In front of everyone, he got down on one knee and held up a stunning diamond ring. "I look forward to our forever, honey."
She was a world-renowned divine doctor, the CEO of a publicly traded company, the most formidable female mercenary, and a top-tier tech genius. Marissa, a titan with a plethora of secret identities, had hidden her true stature to marry a seemingly impoverished young man. However, on the eve of their wedding, her fiance, who was actually the lost heir to a wealthy dynasty, called off the engagement and subjected her to degradation and mockery. Upon the revelation of her concealed identities, her ex-fiance was left stunned and desperately pleaded for her forgiveness. Standing protectively before Marissa, an incredibly influential and fearsome magnate declared, "This is my wife. Who would dare try to claim her?"
Rachel used to think that her devotion would win Brian over one day, but she was proven wrong when his true love returned. Rachel had endured it all—from standing alone at the altar to dragging herself to the hospital for an emergency treatment. Everyone thought she was crazy to give up so much of herself for someone who didn’t return her feelings. But when Brian received news of Rachel’s terminal illness and realized she didn’t have long to live, he completely broke down. "I forbid you to die!" Rachel just smiled. She no longer needed him. "I will finally be free."
Darya spent three years loving Micah, worshipping the ground he walked on. Until his neglect and his family's abuse finally woke her up to the ugly truth-he doesn't love her. Never did, never will. To her, he is a hero, her knight in shining armour. To him, she is an opportunist, a gold digger who schemed her way into his life. Darya accepts the harsh reality, gathers the shattered pieces of her dignity, divorces him, takes back her real name, reclaims her title as the country's youngest billionaire heiress. Their paths cross again at a party. Micah watches his ex-wife sing like an angel, tear up the dance floor, then thwart a lecher with a roundhouse kick. He realises, belatedly, that she's exactly the kind of woman he'd want to marry, if only he had taken the trouble to get to know her. Micah acts promptly to win her back, but discovers she's now surrounded by eligible bachelors: high-powered CEO, genius biochemist, award-winning singer, reformed playboy. Worse, she makes it pretty clear that she's done with him. Micah gears up for an uphill battle. He must prove to her he's still worthy of her love before she falls for someone else. And time is running out.
In order to fulfill her grandfather's last wish, Stella entered into a hasty marriage with an ordinary man she had never met before. However, even after becoming husband and wife on paper, they each led separate lives, barely crossing paths. A year later, Stella returned to Seamarsh City, hoping to finally meet her mysterious husband. To her astonishment, he sent her a text message, unexpectedly pleading for a divorce without ever having met her in person. Gritting her teeth, Stella replied, "So be it. Let’s get a divorce!" Following that, Stella made a bold move and joined the Prosperity Group, where she became a public relations officer that worked directly for the company’s CEO, Matthew. The handsome and enigmatic CEO was already bound in matrimony, and was known to be unwaveringly devoted to his wife in private. Unbeknownst to Stella, her mysterious husband was actually her boss, in his alternate identity! Determined to focus on her career, Stella deliberately kept her distance from the CEO, although she couldn't help but notice his deliberate attempts to get close to her. As time went on, her elusive husband had a change of heart. He suddenly refused to proceed with the divorce. When would his alternate identity be uncovered? Amidst a tumultuous blend of deception and profound love, what destiny awaited them?
As far as everyone was concerned, William had married Renee under duress. Now that his one true love was back—and with child—they couldn’t wait for him to abandon Renee. Surprisingly, Renee was candid about the situation. "To be honest, I’m the one asking for a divorce every single day. I want it even more than any of you!" But they brushed off her remark as a paltry attempt to save face. Until William made a declaration himself. "Divorce is out of the question. Anyone who spreads false rumors shall face legal consequences!" Renee was at a loss. What was this crazy man up to now?