Linda Carlton, Air Pilot Page 6

  CHAPTER VI

  _Winning Her License_

  The next few weeks were the most interesting, the most exciting, ofLinda's whole life. Every day she drove over to the Flying Schoolwith Ralph, and gained first her theoretical, and then her practicalknowledge.

  Both she and Ralph were surprised to find that it was so simple amatter to handle a plane. By the middle of July they were accustomedto stepping into the cockpits by themselves, nosing their planes intothe wind, and rising to a height of fifteen hundred feet, without evena tremor. Anxiously they counted their hours of solo flying, not onlythat their licenses would be approved, but because they both wanted totry some stunts. They had studied the principles of loops, Immelmanturns, barrel rolls, and falling leaves, and they were wild to try themout for themselves.

  Finally, after they had both passed their written examinations, andwere only waiting for their licenses to come through, Mr. Taylorallowed them both to try an inside loop and an Immelman turn. Linda'shappiness was so great that she felt she just had to tell somebody, soshe went home and wrote to her father. Unfortunately, she thought itwiser to say nothing about stunts to her aunt.

  Miss Carlton still insisted that she would never get into a plane, noteven Linda's. "It's too dangerous," she objected, when her niece wasbegging her to go for a ride. "I might be killed--and then who wouldtake care of you? And besides, I don't see how anybody could learn tofly in the short time you've been at it."

  "But Aunt Emily," explained Linda patiently, "it really is easier thandriving a car. Once you are off the ground, the plane practically fliesitself. And the higher you are, the safer."

  Miss Carlton shuddered.

  "I can't believe that, dear. Because the higher you are, the fartheryou have to fall!"

  "But you have all that chance to regain control of your plane,"insisted her niece. "Crashes practically always come on theground--it's very rare indeed that two planes crash in the air, evenwhen they are flying in Army formation."

  "How soon do you think you'll get your license?" inquired MissCarlton, showing that Linda's words had made no impression at all uponher. She was anxious to get away now; Spring City was becoming very hot.

  "Any time now," replied the girl, her eyes shining with anticipation."I have done all the required solo flying--and more too."

  "Solo flying? Do you mean you've been up alone? Without even Ralph?"

  "Yes, of course! And I love it, Aunt Emily! Oh, if you could justtry it once, you'd never be afraid again. It is the most wonderfulsensation--up in the skies, all alone! Free as a bird!" She pausedabruptly, smiling at her own enthusiasm. She did not often talk likethis to anybody, though there was a great deal of poetry in her make-up.

  "Well, dear, I'm glad you like it," said Miss Carlton, in amatter-of-fact tone. "But don't overdo it. And don't go in for anystunts."

  Ralph Clavering, who had been making it his habit to come over to seeLinda every evening, now that all his other friends had gone away,arrived on the porch in time to hear Miss Carlton's admonition. Hewas about to say something, for he was very proud of his successful"acrobatic flying," when he caught Linda's frown of warning. Of coursethere was no use of worrying the timid woman, who was worried enoughalready.

  He sat on the railing, dangling his legs, and carelessly lighting acigarette, as if he were very much at home.

  "Linda's little 'Pursuit' is a daisy, Miss Carlton," he said. "Itreally has a most marvelous motor--and all sorts of safety devices.There's not a thing for you to worry about.... I wish I had one likeit!"

  Linda regarded him sympathetically. It was hard luck that his father,with all his money, refused to buy Ralph a plane! But he had beenpromised one the following year--if he graduated from college withoutany conditions. Evidently Mr. Clavering was using it as a spur to hisson's ambition, for Ralph had never been keen about his studies. Goodtimes came first with him; besides, he argued, what was the use oflearning to make money, when his father already had more than theycould spend?

  "What are you children going to do this evening?" asked Miss Carlton,though it was nine o'clock now, and there wouldn't be much eveningleft, for Linda insisted upon going to bed early.

  "I'd like to map out our trip to Green Falls," the latter replied. "Andthen we could show our plan to Lieutenant Kingsberry, and see wherethe airports are located along the way, in case we have to land."

  "Why not Taylor?" inquired Ralph, teasingly, for he knew that Linda didnot care much about her instructor.

  She gave the boy a withering look.

  "Well, then--Redhead? He ought to know. By the way, I never see youtalking to him, Linda!"

  "I never get a chance. He's always busy, and besides, you're usuallywith me. I guess he's too shy to intrude."

  Nevertheless, she decided that she must have one talk with Ted Mackaybefore she left the school, to clear up matters that had never beendiscussed. All during the next week she watched for her opportunity,but it did not come until her final day at the school--the day when shereceived her license as a private pilot.

  Wild with joy at her success, she asked where Ted was, and ran over tothe hangar where he happened to be working. For once, Ralph was notwith her; he had not yet landed the plane he had been flying.

  "Mr. Mackay!" she cried joyously--she was afraid to call him "Ted" now,for he seemed like such a stranger. "I'm a real pilot! I can fly myown plane now, wherever I want to go!"

  The young man came over solemnly and shook hands with her.

  "May I be the first to congratulate you?" he asked.

  "Not the first. Lieutenant Kingsberry has done so already. But, ofcourse, in a way he doesn't count."

  "And this is only your beginning, I know!" he said, his blue eyessparkling with enthusiasm. "You're going to a ground school in thefall--as we used to talk about--aren't you?"

  "Yes, I hope so." She hesitated, and looked down at the ground, diggingthe toe of a dainty slipper--entirely feminine, in spite of her flyer'scostume--into the dust. She felt shy, and embarrassed; it was so hardto hurt Ted, and yet she didn't dare disobey her father. "Ted," shesaid, finally, "could I have just one little talk with you, to clearthings up--before I go away?"

  "I've been longing for it," he confessed, eagerly. "But I'd decidedthat you were through with me, on account of my actions that night yougot your plane--when I sneaked over to see it. One of the boys heard itroaring over our heads, and ran out to see where it was landing. So,when he came back with the news that it was in your field, I knew itmust be yours. When I went over to see it myself--I--I was hoping you'dcome out alone--and we could gloat over it together! And then all thatcrowd showed up, and your aunt too--I was sure it was she--and I justlost my nerve and ran. It looked pretty queer, I guess."

  "No, only why didn't you come to the house first?" she inquired.

  "I was afraid the butler would say, 'Miss Carlton is not at home'--theway the rich young ladies' butlers always do in the novels."

  "Only we haven't any butler," laughed Linda.

  "Well, you have a strict aunt--and a father that's made of steel!"

  "Don't!" cried the girl, in an offended tone. "You mustn't say a wordagainst my father, or I never will talk to you. But that brings me towhat I wanted to say.... My father has no time for you, on account ofyour father. It seems that a man by the same name worked for him onthe ranch in Texas--and was untrustworthy. Could that have been yourfather?"

  "I'm afraid it was," admitted Ted, sadly.

  "So you see why he selected Mr. Taylor to teach me to fly...." Tearsalmost came into her eyes, as she saw how sorrowful Ted was looking."I think it's absurd, myself," she admitted. "But I suppose Daddy meansit for the best.... I'm--not to be friends with you, Ted.... And, oh,I'm so sorry!"

  "I'm sorry too, Linda," the boy said slowly. "But somehow I neverbelieved we could be real friends. I'm not like you--I don't believe infairy stories."

  "What do you mean?"

  "I mean that the poor young man, who has a disgrace to live down,
isn'tlikely to be friends with the rich, beautiful girl--in real life.... SoI guess it's good-by...." He held out his hand.

  "Oh, but I'll at least see you again!" she protested. "Tomorrow I'mgoing to fly my plane over here and back--all by myself!"

  "That's wonderful--I wish I could be here to see you do it," heanswered regretfully. "But unfortunately I am leaving myself tomorrow.I'm taking a job as salesman for a plane construction company in KansasCity."

  "Congratulations!" cried Linda, pleased at his advancement. "Well, goodluck--and good-by!"

  "And, by the way," he added, "I want to thank you for wearing my poorlittle flowers at your class-day. I saw you--through the fence. I wasso glad they held the affair out-of-doors!"

  "Then they were from you?" she asked, ashamed that she had forgotten tothank him. "I thought so, but I wasn't sure. I meant to ask you. Theywere lovely."

  "I am going to give you a card of my firm," said Ted, reaching into hispocket. "So that you will know where I am, in case you need any helpwith your Arrow.... You--you--don't mind?"

  "I'll be very thankful to have it," she reassured him. "You know, Ted,I have an awful lot of confidence in you!"

  And, with a final pressure of her hand, he turned to go, and she,looking about, saw Ralph Clavering walking towards her.

  "What's the big idea?" he asked her, when he reached her side, and Tedhad disappeared. "Holding hands with Red?" His tone was irritable.

  "I was just saying good-by," she explained. "He's leaving tomorrow fora job in Kansas City."

  "Flying?"

  "Naturally."

  "Well, we'll be flying away soon, too," he added, more cheerfully. "Ihad a letter from Kit this morning, and she wants us surely at GreenFalls for July thirty-first. It's the Midsummer Ball, and the big eventof the season--socially. She told me to tell you and Miss Carlton to besure not to miss it."

  "Oh, I'll be ready by Saturday," replied Linda. "Aunt Emily has beendoing all the shopping, so I hardly need to do anything.... By the way,did Kit give you any gossip about the crowd?"

  "Let me see," muttered Ralph, as he took her arm possessively whilethey walked across the field, in the hope that Ted Mackay would seethem. "She did have quite a bit to say--but it was mostly about Maurry."

  "Maurice Stetson? What's he been doing?"

  "Rushing Kit, evidently. And she seems to like it.... And she saidHarry Smith has a life-guard's job, and is spending all his spare timewith Lou."

  "I haven't heard from Lou in ages," remarked Linda. "But I guess it'spartly my fault. I haven't had time to answer her letters." Then,changing the subject, as they came out to the road where Linda's carwas parked, "You're going to fly up with me in the 'Pursuit,' aren'tyou, Ralph?"

  "Surest thing! We'll fly everywhere together--from now on. Just likeMr. and Mrs. Lindy!"

  "Only we won't!" she answered abruptly, laughing at him.

  As they stepped up to the roadster, they almost fell over a man whocame out from a shabby coupe in front of theirs. He had evidently beenleaning over, fixing something.

  "Want any help?" asked Ralph, though Linda knew he hadn't the slightestidea of giving any.

  "No, thanks," muttered the man, without looking up. "Engine trouble."

  "Engine trouble!" repeated Linda, sympathetically. Then, turning toRalph. "Suppose something like that should happen to us--on the way toGreen Falls!"

  "Well, it won't!" replied Ralph reassuringly. "The motor's just aboutperfect in that little plane of yours! No--but I tell you what, Linda,you better bring your gun along. That crazy sister of mine expects meto bring her pearls up for the Midsummer Ball!"

  "Real pearls--at a summer resort!" cried Linda, as she slipped the keyinto her lock, and started her engine. "She's taking an awful chance!"

  "That's what I think. But of course they're insured. And so long asshe's succeeded in getting Dad's permission, it's not my businessto stop her.... By the way, it's a fancy-dress affair. What sort ofcostume will you wear?"

  "I don't know. I guess I'll leave it to Aunt Emily."

  But when she got back home, she forgot all about pearls and dresses andmid-summer balls. Nothing mattered to her, but the glorious fact thatat last she was a real flyer!