CHAPTER V.
ANNE HAS A SECRET On the night of the flying machine exhibition, the four chums, for Anne had now been formally adopted by Grace and her friends, arrived somewhat early at the great arched doorway leading into the gymnasium.
They were all somewhat excited over this new experience.

There had been many balloon ascensions at the State Fair, and once a dirigible airship had sailed over the town of Oakdale.

But to see a real flying machine with all its grace and elegance and lightness was like stepping onto another planet where progress had advanced much faster than it had on this.
At least, so thought Anne as she followed her friends into the building.
There was a sound of puffing and churning, during which David arrived in a cloud of smoke on his motor cycle.
"I mean to learn to ride one of those queer machines," exclaimed Grace from the doorway, never dreaming what an important part that very machine was one day to play in the history of Oakdale.
"All right, you're welcome to," replied David, jumping off as he stopped the motor.

"Come over to the campus to-morrow afternoon, and I'll give you your first lesson." "Is that really an invitation ?" asked Grace.

"For I shall accept it, if it is." "It certainly is," answered the young man, "and I shall expect you to make a very excellent prize pupil, not like Reddy Brooks, who tumbled off and smashed his nose because he suddenly forgot how to manage the brakes." A few other people gathered in the roomy gymnasium to see the exhibition, but the girls could see that it was a very exclusive company they had been invited to join.