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diff --git a/44862-8.txt b/44862-8.txt deleted file mode 100644 index fc8c4f8..0000000 --- a/44862-8.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,6540 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Linda Carlton, Air Pilot, by Edith Lavell - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org/license - - -Title: Linda Carlton, Air Pilot - -Author: Edith Lavell - -Release Date: February 9, 2014 [EBook #44862] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ISO-8859-1 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINDA CARLTON, AIR PILOT *** - - - - -Produced by chenzw and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - - - - -[Illustration: Both girls waved their arms and their coats in the air -as signals of distress. - - (Page 214) -] - - - - - -LINDA CARLTON -AIR PILOT - -By EDITH LAVELL - -[Illustration] - -THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING -COMPANY - -Akron, Ohio New York - - - - -Copyright MCMXXXI - -THE SAALFIELD PUBLISHING COMPANY - -Linda Carlton, Air Pilot - -_Made in the United States of America_ - - - - -TO - -MY HUSBAND - -VICTOR LAMASURE LAVELL - - - - - -CONTENTS - - -CHAPTER PAGE - - I. A DANGEROUS RIDE 7 - - II. GRADUATION 14 - - III. HER FATHER'S GIFT 28 - - IV. SUMMER PLANS 43 - - V. THE FIRST LESSON IN FLYING 56 - - VI. WINNING HER LICENSE 69 - - VII. THE FLIGHT TO GREEN FALLS 81 - - VIII. THE ROBBERY 92 - - IX. SUSPICIONS 106 - - X. IN THE HOSPITAL 114 - - XI. AN ANXIOUS DAY FOR LINDA 126 - - XII. THE SEARCH FOR THE THIEF 139 - - XIII. THE MASQUE BALL 151 - - XIV. THE FLYING TRIP 160 - - XV. SUNNY HILLS 171 - - XVI. THE ACCIDENT 183 - - XVII. THE LOST NECKLACE 194 - -XVIII. IN PURSUIT OF THE "PURSUIT" 201 - - XIX. RESCUED 213 - - XX. THE RACE AGAINST DEATH 225 - - XXI. HONORS FOR LINDA 234 - - - - -LINDA CARLTON, AIR PILOT - - - - -CHAPTER I - -_A Dangerous Ride_ - - -A blue sports roadster, driven by a girl in a lovely crêpe suit of -the same color, threaded its way through the traffic of Spring City's -streets to the concrete road that led to the aviation field on the -outskirts. Passing the city's limits, the car sped along under the -easy assurance of its competent driver, whose eyes were bluer than -its paint, deeper than the dress that she was wearing. They were -shining now with happiness, for the end of this ride promised the most -thrilling experience of her life. That afternoon Linda Carlton was to -have her first flight in an airplane! - -She parked her car outside of the field and locked it cautiously. -Jumping out, she fairly skipped inside the boundary. - -A tall, good-looking young man in a flier's suit came from one of the -hangars to meet her. - -"Miss Carlton?" he said, extending his hand. - -"Yes--Mr. Mackay. You see I'm here--a little early, I expect. You -haven't forgotten your promise?" - -His pleasant face darkened, and he looked doubtfully at the sky. - -"I'm afraid it may rain, Miss Carlton. We've suspended pleasure trips -for today. But perhaps tomorrow----" - -"Oh, no!" she cried in deep disappointment, and the young man believed -that her eyes grew moist. "I can't get away tomorrow, or any other -day this week. You see I'm a senior at school, and I'm just rushed to -death." - -"Well, that's too bad," he said, looking again at the sky. "And of -course it may not rain after all. But orders are orders, you know." - -The girl looked down at the ground, probably, he thought, to hide the -tears that would come to her eyes. She was so pretty, so serious, so -anxious to go up. It evidently wasn't only a whim with her; she really -wanted to fly--like Amelia Earhart, and Elinor Smith. How he hated to -deny her! - -"Isn't there something you could do?" she finally asked. "Take me up as -one of your friends--not as a visitor to the aviation field.... Why, -Mr. Mackay, suppose your sister came to see you today, wouldn't you be -allowed to take her up?" - -"Yes," he replied, smiling. "But that would be on my responsibility, -not the school's." - -"Then," she pleaded, and she was radiant again with enthusiasm, -"couldn't _I_ be your responsibility?" - -He nodded, won over to her wishes. - -"If you put it that way, Miss Carlton, I can't refuse! But I'll have to -take you in the plane I'm working on now--making some tests with--and -it isn't the most reliable plane in the world. Not one we use to take -visitors up in." - -"But if it's safe enough for you, it's safe enough for me. I'm -satisfied." - -"I'm afraid your parents wouldn't be," he objected. - -"There I think you're wrong," she asserted. "My father believes -in taking chances. He has always let me do dangerous things--ride -horseback, and drive a car and swim far out in the ocean.... And my -mother is dead." - -"Very well, then," agreed Mackay. "Please come over here with me. I -have been trying to fix up an old biplane, and I think I have her in -shape now. But we'll both wear parachutes for precaution." - -Her heart fluttering wildly from happiness, but not at all from fear, -Linda accompanied the young flier across the huge field to the runway, -where a biplane was resting in readiness for its test. Mackay put her -into the cockpit, examined the engine again, and the parachutes, helped -her to fasten one of the latter on, in case of an accident, and started -the motor. A minute later the plane taxied forward, faster and faster, -until it rose from the ground. - -"Oh!" cried Linda, in a tone of deepest joy, although her companion -could not hear her for the roar of the motor. "Oh, I'm so happy!" - -Up, up, up they went, until they reached the clouds, where the -atmosphere seemed misty and foggy. But it did not matter to Linda that -the sky was not blue; nothing could spoil the ecstasy she experienced -in knowing that at last she was where she had always longed to be. - -Never for a moment was she the least bit dizzy. The sensation of -floating through the air was more marvelous than anything she had ever -dreamed of. - -For some minutes she just allowed herself to dream of the future when -she herself would be in control of a plane, sailing thus through the -skies. Then she remembered with a start that if she ever expected her -ambitions to be fulfilled, it would be necessary to learn how flying -was accomplished. She began to examine everything in the cockpit. -It was too noisy to ask her companion any questions, but she watched -him carefully and tried to figure out what she could for herself. She -identified the joystick, which controlled the plane, and she recognized -the compass and the altimeter, which registered the height--now sixteen -hundred feet--to which they had climbed. All the while she made mental -notes of questions she would ask her pilot when they reached the ground. - -Up, up they went until at last they were beyond the clouds, and saw the -bright sunshine about them. It was symbolic to Linda; she resolved that -in after life, whenever she was unhappy or distressed, she would fly on -wings to the clear sunlight above. It was almost as if there she would -actually find God. - -She was so happy that it was some time before she noticed the queer -sound the motor was making. Then, glancing questioningly at her -companion, she saw a tight, drawn look about his lips, a ghastly pallor -in his face. Something was evidently wrong! The motor made an uneven -sound, threatening to stall, and the plane went into a tail-spin. -Mackay was frantically leaning forward, doing something she did not -understand. - -"Motor's dying!" he cried, as he managed to right the plane. His voice -shook with greater dread than he had ever before experienced. For, -fearless though he was for himself, he was scared to death for the -pretty girl at his side. - -What a fool he had been, he thought, to allow her to come! He would -give his own chances of safety that minute if she could be sure of her -life! So young, so sweet, so utterably lovely! A great lump rose in his -throat, as he took another look at his engine. But he was helpless. - -Grim with terror, he pointed to her parachute. And then, to his -amazement, he realized how perfectly calm she was! - -"You step off first," he said, thankful they both had their parachutes. -"I'll stay with the plane as long as I can." - -Never in his life did Ted Mackay go through such a horrible moment as -that instant when Linda Carlton, at a height of two thousand feet, -stepped so bravely from the edge of the plane into the yawning space -below. Even if he himself were killed, he could never know sharper -agony. Yet the girl herself was gamely smiling! - -He managed to pilot the plane a little farther, in the hope that when -it did crash, it would not come anywhere near her, and then, when he -could no longer keep it from falling, he stepped off himself. - -Down he went, and his parachute opened with perfection, but he, in his -tenseness, thought only of Linda, and of her luck with hers. And he -prayed as he had never prayed before in his life, not even at his most -perilous moments, where death seemed most certain. - -No descent ever seemed so slow, so prolonged, but at last he reached -the ground. And there, still smiling at him, was lovely Linda Carlton! - - - - -CHAPTER II - -_Graduation_ - - -"Thank Heaven you're safe!" cried Ted Mackay, as he disentangled -himself from his parachute. "You certainly are a game little sport, -Miss Carlton!" - -"I don't see why," returned Linda. "People jump from planes with -parachutes every day!" - -"I know. But it was all so sudden. And it is always a pity when -anyone's first flight ends disastrously. It makes you feel that you -never want to see an airplane again." - -"Well, it won't make me feel that way," replied the girl, lightly. "I'd -go up again right away if you'd take me." - -"I'm afraid I can't. But I'm mighty glad to hear you talk that way. I -think you're cut out for a flier. Now let's hunt the wreck." - -After they had located the damaged plane, and examined its shattered -pieces, they hiked back to the aviation field together, talking all the -while about flying. Linda asked Ted one question after another, which -he answered as well as he could without having a plane to demonstrate, -and he promised to lend her some books on the subject. - -"You must come over and take a course of instruction at our Flying -School," he advised. "As soon as you can." - -"Oh, I hope to!" she assured him, eagerly. "Maybe after I graduate. -Why, I'm almost eighteen! Most boys of my age who cared as much about -it as I do would have been flying a couple of years. Because you can -get a license when you're sixteen, can't you?" - -"Yes.... It's going to be fun to teach you," he added, as they -approached the field, and Linda stopped beside her car. "Good-by! I'll -expect to see you soon!" - -His hope, however, was not fulfilled until two weeks later, when Linda -again slipped over to the field, between engagements, for another ride -in the air. This time she was only one among a group of visitors, and -she went up in a plane that was both new and trustworthy. - -Her time was so limited--it was a week before Commencement--that she -had only chance for a few words with Ted Mackay. She told him that her -class-day was the following Friday, and she timidly invited him to a -dance which she was giving at her home the night before the event. - -"Thanks awfully," he said, more thrilled than he dared tell her at the -invitation, "but I couldn't possibly come.... You see, Miss Carlton--I -wouldn't fit in with your set." - -"Nonsense!" exclaimed Linda in disappointment, "We're not snobs, just -because we go to Miss Graham's school!" - -"Well, then, put it this way," he added: "I'm absolutely on my own--and -I don't even have evening clothes!" - -She smiled at his frankness, but she did not know that he told only -part of his story--that he was supporting his mother and helping to put -his younger sister through High School. - -"All right, then--have it your own way--Ted," she agreed, holding out -her hand. "I'll hope to see you some time after class-day." - -From that hour on, it seemed as if every moment was filled with more -things than she could possibly do. At last Friday came--as hot as any -day in mid-summer, though it was still early June. - -Soon after two o'clock the audience began to arrive, and at half-past, -the twenty-two graduates, in their white dresses, with their large -bouquets or American Beauties or pink rose-buds, filed in to take -their seats on the flower-decked platform in the garden of the school -grounds. - -Fans waved, and the flowers wilted visibly, but nobody seemed to -notice. For with the exercises the fun began, and everybody listened -intently to the jokes and the compliments which came in turn to each -and every member of Linda Carlton's class. - -After Louise Haydock, the president, made her brief speech of greeting, -the presenter took charge, and her remarks and her presents were -clever without being cruel. Most of the latter she had purchased from -the five-and-ten, but they all carried a point. To Linda Carlton she -gave a toy car, because she thought that was what the latter was most -interested in, and then she asked her to wait a moment, that she had -something else for her. - -Linda stood still, smiling shyly, and wondering whether her next gift -would have anything to do with airplanes. - -"Linda," continued the presenter, "we have this bracelet for you--in -token of our affection. You have been voted the most popular girl in -the class." - -"Oh!" exclaimed Linda, and her eyelids fluttered in embarrassment. She -was so surprised that she didn't know what to say. Some of the other -girls, who had been secretly hoping for this honor, which was always -kept as a surprise until class-day, had even prepared speeches. But -Linda had never given the matter a thought. - -"I--I--thank you so much," she finally managed to stammer, as she -stepped forward to receive the bracelet. - -The audience stirred and clapped, for the girl was a favorite with -everybody in Spring City. - -"She certainly looks sweet today," whispered Mrs. Haydock, the mother -of Linda's best friend. "There is nothing so becoming as white." - -"Yes," agreed her aunt, who had taken care of Linda ever since her own -mother had died when she was only a baby, "but I do wish she hadn't -worn those flowers. She had half a dozen bouquets of American Beauties, -and she picked out those ordinary pink roses! Sometimes Linda is queer." - -"Yes, but who sent them?" inquired the other woman. "Probably the -reason lies there! Ralph Clavering?" - -"Ralph Clavering wouldn't buy a cheap bouquet like that--with all his -father's millions!" exclaimed Miss Carlton. "No; he did send flowers, -but Linda didn't wear them. These had no card." - -Their conversation stopped abruptly, for the class prophet was -being introduced. Twenty-one girls on the platform leaned forward -expectantly, anxious to hear what the future held in store for them. -Of course nobody actually believed that this girl could foretell their -lives, but it was always fascinating to speculate about their fortunes. - -She began with the customary jokes. - -"Sara Wheeler" (the thinnest girl in the class), "is going into the -food business, but will eat up the profits. However, she'll weigh two -hundred pounds before she goes bankrupt.... - -"Sue Emery, on the contrary, will finally succeed in reducing her -weight--when she gets away from these girls and stops talking about it, -instead of doing it--until she becomes Hollywood's star dancer.... - -"Linda Carlton and Louise Haydock--the double l's, we call them, -because they are always together--will both marry wealthy men and -become the society leaders of Spring City...." - -At these words, Linda's Aunt Emily nudged Louise's mother, and smiled. - -"That would suit us, wouldn't it, Mrs. Haydock?" she asked. - -"Just what we want for our girls!" nodded her companion, in -satisfaction. - -It was over at last, the fun and the excitement, the class-day that -the girls would keep in their memories for the rest of their lives. -Hot, but happy, the graduates came down from the platform to find their -friends and their families. Some of them wanted to linger, to talk -things over, but Linda Carlton was anxious to get away. It had been -wonderful to receive that beautiful bracelet, but somehow it would -spoil it to talk about it. - -And, in spite of all her happiness, there was a little hurt in her -heart. Her father hadn't come home for his only child's graduation! - -She came to where her aunt was standing, and put her arm through hers. - -"Are you ready, Aunt Emily?" she asked. - -"Of course, dear--if you want to go so soon. But wouldn't you like to -stay and see your friends, and thank them?" - -"Oh, I'll write notes," replied Linda. - -"There's Ralph Clavering over there," remarked Miss Carlton, nodding in -the direction of a tall, well-dressed young man on the other side of -the lawn. "You could thank him for his flowers. He'll probably think -it queer if you don't, especially since you didn't wear them." - -Linda smiled carelessly. - -"Ralph Clavering probably sent roses to half a dozen girls today," -she said lightly. "It's his boast that he's in love with the whole -class!... No, I want to go home, Auntie. I'm tired." - -"Certainly, dear. We'll go right away." - -Nodding to friends as they walked across the beautiful garden where -the out-door exercises had been held, they came to Linda's shining -sports roadster, parked just outside the gate. It had been her father's -present to her on the day that she was sixteen, and she had taken such -care of it that even now, after a year and a half, it looked almost new. - -"I think it was wonderful for you to receive the bracelet as the most -popular girl," Miss Carlton said, as she got into the car. "Everything -was really perfect--even the prophecy about your future." - -Linda frowned at the recollection of those words; she hadn't liked that -prophecy at all. As perhaps only Ted Mackay realized, her ambition was -to fly, to fly so expertly that she could go to strange lands, do a -man's work perhaps, carry out missions of importance. She wanted to be -known as one of the best--if not _the_ best--aviatrix in America! - -Ever since she was a child she had had some such longing. Perhaps it -was her father who had been responsible for it. Restless and unhappy -after her mother's death, he had given his baby to his sister to take -care of, and had wandered from one place to another, only coming home -every year or so, to see how Linda was growing. As if to make up to -her for his absences, he brought her marvelous presents--presents that -were intended rather for a boy than for a girl. Early in life she had -learned to shoot a gun, ride a horse, and drive a car. No wonder that -she dreamed of airplanes! - -Her aunt, on the other hand, disapproved of this way of bringing up a -girl. She wanted Linda to be just like the other fashionable wealthy -young ladies in Spring City, to spend her time at parties and at the -Country Club, and later to marry a rich man--like Ralph Clavering. -Naturally the words of the class prophet pleased her. - -Nor had she any idea that Linda did not agree with her, for her niece -had always kept her dreams to herself. There was no use talking about -them, Linda thought, for her aunt would never understand. - -"And I guess the prophet was about right," continued Miss Carlton. "Any -girl that gets seven bunches of flowers from seven different boys, -won't have any difficulty getting married." - -"But I don't want to get married, Aunt Emily!" protested Linda. - -"Not yet, dear--of course. Why, you're only seventeen! I couldn't spare -you now--just when you're free to be at home with me. Besides, I think -every girl should have two years at least to do exactly as she pleases!" - -Exactly as she pleases! Why, that would mean learning to fly! Oh, if -Aunt Emily could know the fierce longing in her heart to become a -really fine pilot, to train herself to make her mark in the world! - -"So I want you to have a happy, care-free summer," continued the other, -totally unaware of her niece's thoughts. "At first I thought we would -go abroad, but on the whole that would be too strenuous, after this -hectic year. The other girls' mothers agree with me. Mrs. Haydock and I -were talking about it today, and we've practically decided to go to a -charming resort on Lake Michigan that she says is most exclusive. There -you can be with all your best friends." - -Linda said nothing; she just couldn't be enthusiastic about wasting -three months in that fashion. When she had been hoping to stay at home -and enroll for a course at the Spring City Flying School! - -"You'd like that, wouldn't you, dear?" persisted Miss Carlton, as Linda -steered her car through the wide gates of their spacious estate. "You -could swim and drive and play tennis and dance to your heart's content! -With Louise--and--and--the Claverings! Mrs. Haydock told me they are -going there too. Why, you'd meet all the right people!" - -Linda sighed. Aunt Emily's ideas of the right people were not exactly -hers--particularly at the present time. She wanted to meet flyers, men -and women noted in the field of aviation, not merely wealthy society -folk. But she could not say that to her aunt; the latter was afraid of -airplanes, and had only grudgingly given her consent that Linda go up -in one. Naturally she had never mentioned her accident. - -"Well, we'll talk our plans over later," said Miss Carlton, when Linda -failed to make a reply. "I guess you're too tired to think about -anything now. And," she added as she stepped from the car, "don't you -want to leave your car here, and let Thomas put it away?" - -"No, thank you, Auntie," she replied, for she did not like even so -capable a chauffeur as Thomas to touch her precious roadster. "It'll -only take a minute." - -As Linda walked slowly back to the house, she was thinking of Ted -Mackay. For she believed those wilted flowers at her waist were his. -There had been no card, but they had come from a small flower shop at -the other end of Spring City--not the expensive shop that most of her -friends patronized. She would go over to the school soon, and thank -him. But she would have to tell him that she was obliged to give up her -own plans for the summer! Tears of disappointment came into her eyes, -and she wondered if there weren't some way it could be arranged. Maybe -if she asked her father.... - -The thought of her father drove everything out of her mind. He hadn't -even bothered to come home! Nothing else seemed to matter. - -As she entered the living-room, she found her aunt waiting for her. - -"Come in, dear--and get some rest," said Miss Carlton. "You look so -tired that you actually seem unhappy." - -Linda forced a smile. - -"Is something worrying you, dear? Or is it just the heat and the rush?" - -"I don't know," answered the girl, sinking into a deep chair by the -window. "I--I--guess I'm just foolish, Aunt Emily." There was a catch -in her voice. "But I'm so disappointed that Daddy didn't come for my -Commencement. And I wrote to the ranch three times to remind him!" - -Miss Carlton nodded; her brother's ways were past her understanding. -How anybody could be so indifferent to such a lovely daughter as Linda! -And yet when he was home, no father could be more affectionate. It was -just that he was absent-minded, that he hated to be tied down to dates -and places. He might be at his ranch in Texas now, or he might have -wandered off to Egypt or to South America, without even telling his -family. He had been like that, ever since Linda's mother had died. - -"I'm not so surprised at that as I am at his not sending you a -present," commented Miss Carlton. "He may never have received your -letters--or he may drop in a week late.... But you mustn't let that -worry you, Linda--you have to take your father as he is.... And you -must get some rest for tomorrow." - -"Tomorrow?" repeated the girl, vaguely. - -"Yes. The Junior League Picnic. You haven't told me whom you invited." - -"Why--I--a----" - -"You forgot to invite anybody!" laughed Miss Carlton. "I know you--why, -you're something like your father about social engagements, my dear! -And of course all the nicest boys will be asked already! I know that -Louise is going with Ralph Clavering--Mrs. Haydock told me today." - -"That's fine," commented Linda, indifferently. "They're great pals." - -"But whom will you ask? At this late date?" - -"I really think I'd rather stay home, Auntie, if you don't mind. -Because--well--Daddy might come--and I'd hate to be so far away. -They're going all the way over to Grier's woods, I recall hearing Dot -say, and you know that's at least fifteen miles." - -"Of course, dear--do just as you like," replied her aunt, putting her -motherly arms around her. "Only don't count too much on your father's -coming!" - -So Linda went to bed that night, little thinking that her plans would -be changed the following morning, and that, in later years, she was to -look back upon that day as one of the most wonderful of her whole life! - - - - -CHAPTER III - -_Her Father's Gift_ - - -As Linda had no plans for the day after her class exercises, she had -intended to sleep late. But the arrival of her chum, Louise Haydock, -accompanied by Ralph Clavering and his Harvard room-mate, Maurice -Stetson, changed things for her. - -At half-past eight her aunt came into her bedroom, half apologetically, -half smiling. - -"Linda dear, I want you to wake up," she said. "You have company." - -"Yes?" replied the girl sleepily. - -"You are rested, aren't you? And it's so much cooler. It's a real June -day--the kind the poets write about!" - -Linda sat up in bed, and blinked her eyes. Then suddenly she thought of -her father. Did Aunt Emily mean he had come? - -"Daddy?" she asked excitedly. "Do you mean he's here?" - -Miss Carlton's smile faded; she had not meant to mislead her niece. It -was cruel to disappoint her. - -"No, dear. It's only Louise--with Ralph and another boy. They want you -to wake up, and go on the picnic." - -"Oh, I see.... But you know I didn't invite anybody, Aunt Emily." - -"That's just it. You're to go with this other boy. He's Ralph's -room-mate, and he's here on a visit. You will go, won't you, dear?" - -"Yes, of course, if Lou wants me to. I'll get dressed right away.... -And Auntie, may I have some strawberries up here, to eat after I take -my shower? That's all the breakfast I'll want." - -"Certainly, dear. I'll send Anna up right away. And how soon shall I -tell Louise that you'll be ready?" - -"Ten minutes!" - -Linda jumped out of bed, and began to sing as she took her cold shower. -It was a wonderful day--a good world after all! Of course the picnic -would be fun; she was glad now that she wasn't going to miss it. Lou -was a peach to arrange things for her in this way! And it would be -exciting to meet a new man. She wondered what he would be like, and -hoped she would find him nice. But, even if she didn't, it wouldn't be -necessary to stay with him all day. There wasn't much "two's-ing" in -their crowd. - -Ten minutes later she found her visitors on the porch, singing and -amusing themselves, for Miss Carlton had gone to oversee the packing of -Linda's lunch. Ralph introduced his friend, Maurice Stetson, a short, -light-haired youth, who was utterly at ease with everybody, and who -seemed to think that he was born to be funny. Indeed, he called himself -"the prince of wise-crackers." Linda, who was both sensitive and shy, -was afraid she would be made uncomfortable by his comments. - -"Miss _Linda_ Carlton," he repeated, solemnly shaking her hand. "The -famous Lindy's namesake?... Let's see--what year was that when he flew -the Atlantic? About twenty-seven? Why, you can't be more than three -years old!" - -Linda smiled; she really couldn't laugh at the silly remark, though the -others seemed to think him exceedingly witty. - -"And is your ambition flying?" he asked. - -Linda blushed; she had no desire to admit her dreams and ambitions to -the general public. - -"Doesn't everybody want to fly now-a-days?" she countered. - -"Not your uncle Maurice!" replied the youth, gravely. "My dad gave me a -plane, and I wrecked it. I'm through! My flying almost took me to the -angels!" - -"What's this?" interrupted Miss Carlton, coming out on the porch with a -hamper of lunch for the picnic. "You've been in an airplane accident?" - -"And how!" he replied, feelingly. - -"Now you see, Linda! You better not go over to that field again! I'm so -afraid of planes!" - -"All right, Aunt Emily," replied the girl, graciously. "You needn't -worry today, anyhow. We're going to the picnic in cars." - -But, had Miss Carlton seen Maurice Stetson behind the wheel of his -yellow sports roadster, hitting seventy-five miles an hour, and all the -while keeping up a conversation not only with Linda beside him, but -with the couple in the rumble-seat as well, she would not have felt so -satisfied. - -Nevertheless, nothing happened, and the picnic promised to be lots of -fun. The girls had selected a beautiful wooded spot outside of the -city, where a lovely stream widened into a small lake, deep enough for -swimming. - -Most of the others had already arrived in their cars, when Louise's -party drove up. Two large tents, on opposite sides of the lake, had -been set up early in the morning for bath-houses. - -"Everybody into their suits!" cried Sara Wheeler, who seemed to be -managing the picnic, because her mother was the chaperon. "First one -into the water gets a prize!" - -"Then I get it, without even trying," remarked Harriman Smith, a nice -boy, and a particular friend of Linda's, "because I have mine on now! I -got dressed in it this morning, and carried my other clothing." - -"Lazy brute!" exclaimed Maurice, enviously, wishing that he had thought -of such a labor-saving device. - -In fifteen minutes the whole crowd were in the water, diving and -swimming, and ducking each other, and finally dividing off into sides -for a game of water-polo. It was only when they actually smelled the -steaks that Mrs. Wheeler's cooks were broiling, that they were finally -induced to leave the lake and get dressed. - -A treasure-hunt through the woods was the program for the afternoon. -Linda, who had expected to be coupled with Maurice Stetson for this -event, was agreeably surprised to find herself with Ralph Clavering. -Louise's doing, in all probability! No doubt she guessed that her chum -did not care for Maurice. - -They walked along slowly, keeping their eyes on the ground for all -possible clews, chatting at intervals about the class-day and the -usual gossip, and now and then, when they met other couples, stopping -to compare notes. Finally Ralph spoke about his plans for the summer -months. - -"I'm hoping to persuade your aunt to go to Green Falls with us, Linda," -he said. "There will be quite a bunch of us together. Dot Crowley, Sue, -Sally Wheeler, and of course Lou and Kit--from your sorority, and some -of the boys from our frat, besides several from Spring City. Harry -Smith's going to get a job as a life-guard, and Maurice has promised to -go. We ought to be able to make whoopee, all right!" - -"Sounds good," admitted Linda, absently. - -"Yes, and I really think we could pull off some serious work there." - -"Serious work?" repeated Linda. As far as she knew, Ralph had never -done any real work in his life. - -"Yeah. In the competitions, I mean. I think if we go after it tooth and -nail, you and I'd make a pretty good team to pull down the cup for the -tennis doubles. They have a big meet at the end of the season that's -the talk of the whole Great Lakes region.... And Sally swings a mean -club in golf. And look at Louise's diving!" - -"Yes, that's true," agreed Linda. She had always liked golf and tennis -and swimming, but somehow this year they had all lost their charm. It -was different after you graduated, she decided. Then you wanted to make -something out of your life--like Ted Mackay. There was no more time to -be wasted. - -"Promise me you'll go," begged Ralph, leaning over eagerly and putting -his hand on her arm. - -Instinctively she drew it away, but before she could answer, Louise and -Maurice appeared from a cross-path that was hidden by tall bushes. - -"Why, there's my little Lindy!" cried Maurice, though Linda was several -inches taller than he was. "Grieving for papa?" - -"Shedding tears," laughed Linda. But the words made her think of her -own father, and she grew sober. Suppose he were home now--waiting for -her! He never stayed more than a day; how she would hate to miss him! - -"Has anybody found the treasure yet?" she inquired. - -"I've found _two_ treasures," replied Maurice complacently, looking -first at Louise and then at Linda. - -"Forget it!" commanded Louise, tersely, lifting her head. She, like -Linda, was tall, but in that the resemblance ended. Her dark, sleek -hair was short and almost straight, and she wore earrings--even in -swimming. She said she felt undressed without them--"practically -immodest," were her exact words. - -"No, but really--?" persisted Linda. - -A wild shout from Dot Crowley, followed by a chorus of "Whoopee!" from -half a dozen others, answered Linda's question immediately. Dot always -was lucky. The others ran to the spot where the crowd was gathered, -and Dot, a tiny, vivacious blonde, who could take child's parts in the -amateur plays, was holding two boxes of golf balls triumphantly up to -view. - -"Do I have to give one box to that lazy kid?" she demanded, pointing -scornfully at her long-legged partner, Jim Valier, who had been -languidly following her around. At the time when she had discovered the -prize, he was lolling under a tree, resting his "weary bones," as he -said, smoking a cigarette. - -"Sure you do!" he drawled. "Didn't I supply the brains to our combine?" - -"Brains!" repeated Dot. "Where did you get 'em? I'll have to have you -arrested for stealing 'em, if that's the case! But here--take your box!" - -"Couldn't possibly," he said, waving them aside with his cigarette -holder. "Besides, I hardly ever play golf. Too fatiguing." - -"How about your school-girl figure?" asked Maurice. "Aren't you afraid -if you don't exercise, you'll lose it?" - -Everybody, even Linda, laughed, for Jim Valier was about the world's -thinnest youth. - -"He's really afraid somebody will mistake him for a golf-stick, and -bang a ball with him," remarked Ralph. - -In groups, and some in pairs, the whole crowd went back to the lake. -After all that exercise and excitement, everybody wanted another dip -to cool off. It was six o'clock by the time they all piled into their -cars, and half-past when Linda reached home. - -Hoping to find her father, as she had been hoping every day that -week, she dashed up the steps quickly, merely waving good-by to -her companions as the sports car shot from the driveway. And then, -miraculously, she saw his beloved face at the door! - -"Daddy!" she cried rapturously, rushing breathlessly into his arms. - -He was taller than Linda, with a straight, lithe figure like that of -a much younger man. His hair was dark, with just a little gray at the -temples, and his skin deeply tanned from his out-door life. A sort of -habitual smile played about his lips, as if he had made up his mind to -find life pleasant, no matter what came. - -"My dear little girl!" he said, quietly, patting her hair. "Will you -forgive me for coming a day too late? Your Aunt Emily tells me that -both Commencement and class-day are over--and you are an old Grad now!" - -"Yes, but I don't mind, Daddy, so long as you came today!" she replied, -squeezing his hand. "Maybe it's better this way, because I've been so -rushed lately that I wouldn't have had much time to see you." - -"You must tell me all about everything," he said, drawing her arm -through his, and leading her down the steps of the porch. Of course -he thought he meant what he said, but Linda knew from experience that -if she did tell him, he wouldn't be listening. A dreamy expression so -often came into his eyes when she chattered, and she would wonder what -he was thinking of. Strange lands--or his ranch out west--or perhaps -her mother? - -"Where are we going?" she asked. "I really ought to dress for dinner, -Daddy. You know what picnics are." - -"Yes, To be sure. But I want to show you your graduation present." - -"My present?" There was excitement in her tone; it was sure to be -something wonderful--and unusual. All the girls were wild with envy -when Kitty Clavering received a real pearl necklace from her father. -All--except Linda. She had no desire for pearls, or for any jewelry, -for that matter. She had known that her father's present would be much -more thrilling. At least--if he didn't forget! - -"You didn't think your old Dad would forget you, did you, Honey?" he -asked. - -"No--no--of course not.... But, Daddy, where is it? Why are we going -out back of the house?" - -"We have to walk over to our big field across the creek," he explained, -mysteriously. - -"The big field? Why?... That's a hot walk, Daddy. No shade at all! -If you want a nice walk, we ought to go in the other direction, down -towards the orchard, where there are some trees." - -"Trees are the one thing we don't want," he replied, solemnly. "You're -going to hate trees, after you get my present, daughter." - -"Hate--trees?" Linda's eyes were traveling all over the landscape, -scanning it in vain for a clew. And then, as they mounted a slight -incline, the thing came into sight. The marvelous, wonderful present! -Too good to be true! Her heart stopped beating, her legs shook. She -clutched at her father for support. - -A beautiful, shining airplane! A superb Arrow Sport! The very kind she -had been reading about, had been longing some day to possess! And even -a hangar, to keep it in safety! - -"Daddy!" she gasped, hoarsely. - -He was watching her face, rapturously. - -"You like it?" - -"Oh!" she cried, wrapping her arms around his neck, and suddenly -bursting into tears. "How could you know that I wanted it so much?" - -He patted her hair, a little embarrassed by her emotion. - -"I just tried to imagine what I would want most if I were your age.... -You know, dear, you're your father's own girl! You look like your -mother, but you're much more like me.... A strange mixture...." He was -talking more to himself now, for Linda was almost running, pulling him -along excitedly. "Feminine beauty--with masculine ambition...." - -But Linda was not listening. She had reached the plane now, and was -walking around it, enthralled. Touching its smooth surface, to make -sure that it was not only a dream. Dashing back to hug her father, -and then climbing into the cockpit, to examine the controls, the -instruments, the upholstery. If she lived to be a hundred years old, no -other moment could hold greater happiness than this! - -Her father smiled softly in satisfaction. He wanted her to have all -the happiness that he had somehow missed. Money couldn't buy it for -him; but money spent for his daughter could bring it to him in the only -possible way now. - -"You're not a bit afraid?" he asked, though he knew from her shining -eyes that his question was unnecessary. - -"Dad!" - -"And now the question is, who can teach you to fly? Unfortunately, the -man who brought it here for me couldn't stay, even to explain things to -you--although of course there is a booklet. But I understand there's an -air school here at Spring City...." - -"Yes! Yes!" she interrupted. "I've been there--been up with one of the -instructors. Can we drive over for him tonight?" - -"My dear, you can't take a lesson at night," he reminded her. "You know -that." - -"Oh, of course not!" she agreed, laughing at her own folly. "But -tomorrow?" - -"Yes, certainly. At least we can see about it. You have to pass a -physical examination first, I understand." - -"And I want to take the regular commercial pilot's course, Daddy! I -want to go to the bottom, and learn all about planes, and flying. May -I?" - -"I don't see why not.... You needn't stop for the expense." - -Linda blushed; she hadn't been thinking of the expense--she never did. -But perhaps she ought to now, for the plane must have cost a lot of -money. At the present, however, something else was worrying her. - -"It was the time I was thinking of," she admitted. "Aunt Emily wants -to go away in a week or so. And oh, Dad, I just couldn't bear to leave -this!" There were actually tears in her eyes. - -"Of course not, dear. Well, we'll see if we can't compromise with -your aunt. Stay at home the rest of June and July, be content with a -private pilot's license for the present, and then go away _in_ your -plane in August. Wouldn't that suit you?" - -"To the ground--I mean to the skies!" corrected the happy girl. - -"And now we must get back to dinner," he reminded her. "Aunt Emily's -waiting." - -Solemnly, tenderly, as a mother might kiss her baby, Linda leaned over -and kissed the beautiful plane. Then giving her hand to her father, -she walked back to the house with him in silence, knowing that now her -greatest dream was fulfilled. - - - - -CHAPTER IV - -_Summer Plans_ - - -The news of Linda's magnificent present spread like wildfire. She never -knew how it got about, for she didn't call anybody. In fact, she would -have preferred to keep it a secret for that evening at least, and just -spend her time over the booklet, talking things over with her father. - -But of course the rest of the crowd couldn't understand that. These -young people, who saw their parents every day of their lives, just -couldn't believe that a normal fun-loving girl like Linda would prefer -a father's society to theirs. They didn't know that Linda had always -longed to know him better, to understand him, to talk over with him -her greatest dreams and ambitions. Because there had been nobody to -talk to in that intimate fashion. Aunt Emily never had understood her, -and never would. The kind-hearted woman saw, of course, that her niece -was pleased with her graduation present, but she could not realize the -girl's overwhelming joy in the possession of a plane. To her, even a -string of imitation pearls would have been more desirable. - -They talked their plans over at dinner, Linda's father taking her side -in urging that the vacation be postponed until August. - -"You don't mind, do you, Emily?" he asked his sister. - -"Well, I can't say I don't mind," she replied, a little sharply. "But -of course I wouldn't spoil Linda's fun. But I am wondering whether you -have been wise, Tom. Linda is tired out; instead of going to school and -learning some more, she ought to be resting.... But your presents have -never shown a great deal of wisdom, I fear." - -Her brother laughed. - -"Sometimes it's better to be foolish," he remarked. - -"Not if Linda breaks her neck!" - -"Which she isn't going to do!" contradicted Mr. Carlton, confidently. -"Linda's careful--and she's thorough. I know that, from the way she -drives her car--and takes care of it." - -"Cars and airplanes are different matters!" - -"Not so different as you might think. In some ways, cars are more -dangerous, because you have to consider traffic--what the other fellow -is going to do. And there's so much room in the skies!" - -"But if something goes wrong--there's nobody there to help her," -objected Miss Carlton. - -"Well, Emily, you'd be amazed at the perfection of the airplanes they -are putting out now-a-days. They're as different from the old-fashioned -ones of the World War, as the first two-cylinder automobiles from the -sixes and eights of today." - -"But there still are a lot of crashes--and deaths," insisted his sister. - -"That doesn't say Linda will crash! Linda is going to be a good -pilot--learn it all thoroughly!... Why, Emily, you don't think I'd be -willing to take any chances with my only child, do you--if I didn't -consider it safe?" - -He smiled fondly at Linda, but his sister drew down the corners of her -mouth a trifle scornfully. As if his affection could compare with hers, -though Linda wasn't her own child! He saw the girl two or three times a -year at the most, while Aunt Emily was with her every day of her life! - -"Well," she added, "I'm afraid you'll feel out of the crowd by the time -August comes and they have been together all that time at Green Falls!" - -"Do you mind missing it, my dear?" her father asked, gently. - -"Not a bit!" replied Linda immediately, her eyes shining at the thought -of what she was gaining. - -Miss Carlton abruptly changed the subject. - -"Do you remember a man named Clavering, Tom?" she asked. - -"I remember the name. Connected with oil, wasn't he? Very wealthy?" - -"A millionaire, I think," replied Miss Carlton, as if the news were the -most important thing in the world. "Well, he has bought an estate just -outside of Spring City, and his daughter has just graduated in Linda's -class." - -"Yes?" remarked her brother, wondering what possible difference that -could make to him. - -"Well, the Claverings are planning to spend the summer at Green Falls, -on Lake Michigan--the resort that Mrs. Haydock and I have selected.... -And there is a son in Harvard, who is going to be there." - -"Yes?" It still didn't dawn on the man what his sister meant. Perhaps -that was because he was not worldly, and money and position didn't -mean much to him. Or perhaps it was because it had never occurred to -him that his little Linda was old enough to be thinking about getting -married. - -"You certainly are slow at comprehension at times, Tom," she said, "for -a smart man. Do I have to tell you in so many words that young Ralph -Clavering is interested in Linda?" - -Linda blushed, and Mr. Carlton opened his eyes wide in amazement. - -"Well! Well! Well!" he exclaimed. - -"Dad!" protested Linda, nervously. "Don't be so serious! Aunt Emily -thinks that because she loves me, everybody thinks I'm grand. But as a -matter of fact, Ralph Clavering doesn't like me any better than half a -dozen other girls. And I don't believe he likes me nearly so well as -Louise--though I haven't given the matter any thought." - -"How any boy could fall for Louise Haydock is more than I can see!" put -in Miss Carlton. "She is a nice girl, but she has ruined what looks -she had by cutting her hair off so short, and wearing those dreadful -earrings all the time----" - -"Aunt Emily!" interrupted Linda. "Please don't forget that Louise is my -best friend!" - -"Even so, I don't have to admire her appearance, do I?" - -In a man's fashion, Mr. Carlton was getting very tired of this small -talk. He stirred restlessly. - -"Well, it's settled then, about the summer, isn't it?" he asked. "I'd -like to drive over early tomorrow morning to this Flying School, and -make the arrangements about your course. Because tomorrow night I'm -taking the sleeper back to the ranch." - -"Dad!" cried Linda, in disappointment. "You don't have to go that soon, -do you? Oh, I wanted you to see me fly!" - -"I'll be back again, as soon as I can. But just now I'm having trouble -with some Mexicans who came over the border and have been threatening -us. I've got to be on the job. My help aren't any too reliable." - -"You won't be in any danger will you, Daddy?" - -He shrugged his shoulders indifferently. - -"Guess not," he replied. - -At the conclusion of the meal, Miss Carlton, who always liked to have -Linda's young friends about, suggested that she call some of them on -the telephone and give them her news, inviting them over to celebrate -with her. But Linda shook her head. - -"There's only one person I'd like to tell about it," she said, "and -I'm afraid I couldn't reach him by phone, for I don't know where he -lives. That's a boy over at the school, who has taken me up a couple of -times." - -But, as friends like this did not interest her, Miss Carlton dismissed -the subject and went out to consult her cook. Linda's father, however, -felt differently. - -"What's his name?" he asked, indulgently. "Maybe we could locate him, -if we put in a call at the school. There would probably be somebody -about who would know his address." - -"Ted Mackay," answered Linda. - -Mr. Carlton's eyes narrowed suspiciously, and the smile died from his -lips. His daughter trembled. What could he possibly have against Ted? - -"What's the fellow look like?" - -"He's big--with red hair, and blue eyes, Why? Do you know him, Daddy?" - -"Think I know his father--to my sorrow. Same name--description fits, -too. Likable chap, when you first meet him, isn't he? Looks honest and -kind, and all that?" - -"Oh yes, Daddy! And he is so nice, too. And so clever!" - -"I don't doubt it. So is his father--in his own way. Well, if he's -the son of the man I know, you're to keep away from him. Do you -understand, daughter?" - -"Yes, but Daddy, don't you think it's only fair to give me a reason?" -she pleaded. - -"I'd rather not. Can't you take my judgment as worth something, Linda?" -He spoke sternly. - -The tears came to Linda's eyes, and she looked away. - -"Mayn't I even speak to him?" she asked, finally. - -"Oh, certainly. Never cut anybody--it's a sign of a little mind to -stoop to such childishness. But don't be friendly with him. I dare say -there are other instructors at the field, and I'll arrange for someone -else to teach you." - -The door-bell rang three times, but before the maid could answer it, -Louise Haydock dashed into the house, followed by Kitty and Ralph -Clavering, and finally, Maurice Stetson. - -"Whoopee!" cried Ralph, almost running into Linda's father, who was -standing in the dining-room doorway. - -"Darling!" exclaimed Louise, embracing her chum excitedly. "We heard -the news! Congratulations!" - -"And naturally we couldn't wait to see your plane," added Kitty. "But -are you sure you've finished dinner?" - -"Yes, indeed," replied Linda, introducing her father to everybody -except Louise, who of course knew him. - -"If it only isn't too dark to see it!" exclaimed Louise. "We've all -brought flashlights." - -"Then we better trail out immediately," laughed Linda. "And I'll get -Aunt Emily. She has only seen it from a distance." - -"Better wait for the rest of the crowd," suggested Ralph. "I saw Dot -trying to round up some more. They ought to be here any minute." - -"Then we might as well wait. Aunt Emily'll be here in a minute." - -"What kind of plane is it, Linda?" inquired Maurice. "You're 'Lindy' -Junior now aren't you--just as I predicted," he added. - -"It's a 'Pursuit,'" answered Linda, ignoring his second remark. "An -Arrow Sport." - -"Open cockpit?" asked Ralph. - -"Yes. See--here's its picture." She waved the folder towards the boys. -"It's supposed to be a wonderful little plane for a beginner!" - -"From now on, Linda'll talk of nothing but joysticks and ailerons -and--" began Maurice, but he was interrupted by the arrival of Dot -Crowley and six other young people, all of whom had been packed in her -small car. - -It was just as she liked it to be, Aunt Emily thought, as she joined -the merry, singing group, and started out with them towards the field -beyond the house. Mr. Carlton did not go with them this time, and later -on, Linda had reason to be thankful for his absence. - -It was quite dark now, but both the moon and the stars shone brightly, -and the plane was clearly visible. The exclamations of delight and -praise from her guests were enthusiastic enough to satisfy any proud -owner of such a glorious prize. Linda was happier than ever. - -The boys were naturally interested in the mechanics of the plane, the -girls in the upholstery of the seats, the charming, deep cushions, -which could be removed if it were necessary to use a parachute. They -turned on their flashlights, and walked about the biplane, not a little -in awe at the idea of Linda's piloting it through the skies. - -"It only holds two people," remarked Dot, regretfully. "I wonder if we -could pile in extras, like I do with my car." - -"I'm afraid not," replied Linda. "But I can take everybody up in -turn--after I get my license. I am hoping to bring it to Green Falls in -August." - -Satisfied at last that they had seen as much as possible for the -present, they started to turn back, when Maurice suddenly spied a -lonely figure at the top of the incline, some fifty yards away. - -"What ho!" he exclaimed. "Who can that be? Yo-ho-ho!" he cried, making -a funnel with his hands. - -"Not anybody in our crowd," replied Jim Valier, "or he would answer. -Hope it isn't a thief--with designs on your new plane." - -"We better chase him!" said Jackson Stiles, who was always ready for -adventure, "Come on, fellows, let's rush him!" - -The boys darted off, all except Jim Valier, who said gallantly that -he had better stay as protection for the ladies, though of course -everybody knew it was only because he was too lazy to run. The girls -laughed and chattered while they were gone--all except Linda, who -waited nervously to find out what success they had had. - -In less than three minutes, however, they had returned, shamefacedly -admitting defeat. - -"Maybe the fellow couldn't sprint!" announced Ralph. "I'll bet he's a -track-runner----" - -"Or a chicken thief!" suggested Maurice. - -"Do you think he is a tramp?" inquired Miss Carlton, relieved that the -man had disappeared. Tramps were so dirty, so unpleasant! - -"Don't think so. Big fellow--not badly dressed, as far as we could see. -Had red hair." - -"Too bad we couldn't catch him," remarked Maurice, always ready with -his jokes, "for his hair was bright enough to light up the plane. We -wouldn't have needed our flashes." - -"Might have set the 'Pursuit' on fire!" suggested Jim. - -Linda frowned uneasily. The description sounded like Ted Mackay. But -how did he know that she had a plane, and if he had happened to see -it, why didn't he come to the house, and ask her permission to examine -it? After all, it was on their own property--nobody had any right to -intrude. She thought darkly of what her father had said, and hoped -that there wasn't anything crooked about Ted. Why, he seemed more of -a friend to her than any of these people--except of course her Aunt -Emily, and Louise! - -By the time they had reached the house, everybody had forgotten the -incident, for Louise turned on the radio, and without consulting Linda, -they all decided to dance. Ralph claimed the latter for the first waltz. - -"So this will make a change in your summer plans," he said, as if the -idea were not wholly to his liking. - -"Yes. We're not going to Green Falls till August--maybe not then, if I -don't succeed in getting a private pilot's license before that." - -"But what about me?" he inquired, and the admiring look he gave her -would have pleased Miss Carlton, had she noticed it. - -Linda looked puzzled. - -"You? Why--you'll never miss me! With all your girl friends!" - -"No; I've decided I'm not going to miss you," he said, quietly. -"Because I'm going to stay right here in Spring City, and learn to fly -along with you!" - -"What?" - -"Yes. The thing fascinates me. I want a plane, too! I'm going to touch -my Dad for one when I get home tonight!" - -"But you've promised everybody you'll go to Green Falls!" - -"So I will--August first!" - -And so, much to Miss Carlton's delight, when the rest of the crowd left -Spring City the following week, Ralph Clavering stayed at home with a -couple of the servants, and enrolled at the same time as Linda, at the -Spring City Flying School. - - - - -CHAPTER V - -_The First Lesson in Flying_ - - -Early the next morning, Linda wakened her father and hurried him -through his breakfast. There wasn't a moment to be lost, she told him -excitedly, like a child waiting to open her Christmas stocking. She -had her car under the portico before he had finished his second cup of -coffee. - -"Don't drive so fast that you are killed on the way," cautioned her -aunt. "Remember, dear, you have the rest of your life to fly that -plane!" - -But the present moment is the only time of importance to young people, -and Linda scarcely took in what she was saying. Besides, the caution -was unnecessary; unlike Dot Crowley and Maurice Stetson, she had too -much respect for her car to mistreat it by careless driving. Linda -loved her roadster as a cavalry general loves his horse. - -"You want to do most of your learning on your own plane, don't you, -daughter?" asked her father, as he sat down beside her. "I mean--you'd -rather bring your instructor back with us, and fly it, wouldn't you?" - -"Of course, if that is possible. But don't you suppose I have to go in -a class with others, Daddy?" - -"Probably not--for it is a small school. Besides, I can arrange for you -to have private lessons. It will hurry things up for you." - -"Oh, thank you, Daddy!... But later, I want to go to a regular ground -school, if you will let me." Her tone was as eager as any boy's, -starting out on his life work. "And study airplane construction, and -wireless--and--and----" - -He smiled at her approvingly. What a girl! - -"You are ambitious, my dear," he said, but there was pride in his -words. "I don't see why not, though.... Only, not all at once. As your -Aunt Emily reminded you, you have the rest of your life." - -"I can't bear to fool!" she exclaimed, impatiently. "Now that I have -graduated, I want to get somewhere." - -"You're bound to--unless you fly in circles," he remarked, lightly. - -"I mean--oh, you know what I mean, Daddy! And you do understand, don't -you?" - -"Well, not exactly. You don't expect to be one of those independent -girls who insist upon earning their own living, do you, dear?" - -"I don't know...." Somehow, she couldn't explain. Nobody understood -just what she wanted except Ted Mackay, and that was because he had -the same sort of goal himself. Ted Mackay! The memory of her father's -command hurt her. Must she really give up his friendship? But why? -She wanted to ask her father, but he was looking off in the distance, -apparently lost in his own thoughts. - -So she drove the remainder of the way in silence, absorbed by her own -dreams. - -The field was outside of Spring City, covering an area of thirty acres, -and surrounded by the white fence that was now being used so much by -airports. Three large hangars, containing probably half a dozen planes, -occupied one side of the field, and, near the entrance was a large -building, evidently used as an office and school for the theoretical -part of the courses. - -"You have been here before, Linda?" asked her father, as the girl -locked her car. - -"Yes--a couple of times. I feel almost at home." - -Scarcely were they inside the grounds, when Ted Mackay, looking huge -and handsome in his flyer's suit, came out of the office building. -He recognized Linda at once, and his blue eyes lighted up in a smile -of welcome. Since he wore his helmet, his red hair was not visible, -and Linda, glancing apprehensively at her father, knew that the latter -had no idea who Ted was. But, nervous as she was over the meeting that -was about to take place, she could not help feeling proud of Ted, and -warmed by the frankness of his happy smile. - -"Linda!" he cried. (She had called him Ted the second time she met him, -so he reciprocated.) "I owe you an apology--and a confession!" - -"Yes?" replied Linda, glancing fearfully at her father, though she knew -that he had not yet realized who the young man was, or his expression -would not have been so beneficent. "But first I want you to meet my -father," she said. "Dad--this is Ted Mackay." - -She was vexed at herself that she was actually stammering. Acting just -like a child! Yet she couldn't forget how stern her father could be. -She recalled the day that, as a child, she had sneaked off and played -with Louise when her chum had whooping cough. Her father happened to -come home--and announced that he would take care of her punishment. -And what a punishment! For three whole weeks he made her stay in the -house, without a single companion except her Aunt Emily! He said he'd -teach her to obey. - -But he wasn't storming, or even frowning now. Merely looking politely -indifferent, perhaps a trifle superior. He made no motion to shake -hands with Ted. - -"How do you do?" he said. "Would you be kind enough to take us to the -man in charge of this field?" - -"Certainly, sir," replied Ted. - -Immediately, as if he intended to give the young people no chance for -personal conversation, Mr. Carlton began to ask about the courses that -were offered. - -Ted answered his questions, explaining that Miss Carlton would probably -want to become a private pilot at first. - -"You have to pass a physical examination," he said, "and get a permit -from the Government. Then you must have at least eighteen hours of -flying experience--ten with someone else with you, eight of solo -flying. There is a written examination, too--all about the rules and -regulations that make up the laws of the air. Of course there isn't -a lot of traffic, like with the driving of cars," he explained, -smilingly, "but you'd be surprised at how many rules there are!" - -They had been crossing the field while he talked, and they stopped -now at the main building. With a nod of dismissal that was curt, and -yet not quite rude, for a muttered, "Thank you," accompanied it, Mr. -Carlton left Ted, and took his daughter inside. - -A middle-aged man, dressed in a khaki shirt and breeches, was seated at -a desk. He looked up as they entered. - -"My name is Carlton," began Linda's father, "and this is my daughter. -I have bought her a plane, and I have come over to arrange about some -lessons in flying." - -Lieutenant Kingsberry, a former Army officer, asked them to be seated, -and went over about the same explanation that Ted had given, saying -that he would be delighted to register Linda, provided that she passed -the physical examination. - -"I suppose it is not so unusual now to have girls as students?" -inquired Mr. Carlton. - -"Not for many of the schools," replied the lieutenant. "But it just -happens that we so far have not enrolled any of the fair sex. Your -daughter will be the first. When does she wish to start?" - -"As soon as possible," replied Mr. Carlton. - -"Now!" Linda could not help adding. - -"Well, I don't see why not," agreed the lieutenant, leniently. "At -least Miss Carlton could take the physical examination, because one of -our doctors is here now. And if she passes that, Mackay can give her -the first lesson." - -Linda's expression of delight suddenly died on her lips. For she -glanced at her father, and saw the queer, drawn look about his mouth at -the mention of Ted's name. - -"This--Mackay--" he said slowly, "he isn't your only instructor?" - -"He is our best." - -"I prefer someone else. Can you arrange it?" - -"Why--I suppose so. But if it is only personal reasons, I think you are -making a mistake, Mr. Carlton. Mackay is our most reliable flyer--by -far our best instructor. We don't expect to have him here more than a -month or so. He's had a good offer from a big company." - -Linda was glancing shyly, pleadingly, at her father, but he did not -even see her. - -"Unfortunately I found this young man's father to be most -unreliable--untrustworthy--during the period that I employed him on -my ranch. The fact is, we are not yet through with the trouble that -he started. So you can understand why I should refuse to trust my -daughter to his son. It is an unpleasant but true fact that children -inherit their father's weaknesses. I should not have a comfortable -minute, being miles away, and knowing that she was in his hands." - -"Of coarse I will accept your decision, Mr. Carlton," replied -Lieutenant Kingsberry, "and see that your wishes are carried out. I -will summon the second ranking instructor--H. B. Taylor." - -He called his office boy, a young man learning to fly, and working -his way at the same time, and gave the necessary message. A couple of -minutes later the man came in, dressed like Ted, but somehow he seemed -insignificant to Linda--as if he were the one who was not reliable. She -sighed. - -Her father remained with the lieutenant and the instructor while -she went into the doctor's office for her physical examination. She -knew that her eyesight was good, but she felt a little nervous when -the doctor examined her heart. It was fluttering so! Suppose all the -excitement had been too much for her--and she did not pass! What good -would her lovely plane be to her, if she were never allowed to pilot it -herself? - -But she need not have been alarmed, for she came through with flying -colors. Then young Taylor took her over to one of the planes, and began -to explain about the joystick, the rudder, the ailerons, and everything -else he could think of, in words of one syllable. - -Linda glanced at him, frowning. Did he think she was a baby. Or was -it because she was a girl that his manner seemed so superior, so -condescending? Why, he was wasting a lot of time! Ted would have had -her up in the air by this time, perhaps letting her guide the plane -herself. - -"I am familiar with all these terms, Mr. Taylor," she interrupted. "You -see I have been up twice--with Mr. Mackay. And I've read a couple of -books." - -The young man regarded her haughtily. - -"It is necessary, Miss Carlton, that you go through the regular -lessons, regardless of what you knew beforehand," he answered coldly. -"And whatever Mr. Mackay may have shown you--as a friend--has nothing -to do with these lessons, so long as I, not he, am your instructor." - -"But I want to go up today!" she protested, eagerly. - -"It is not our custom to take students up on the first day, Miss -Carlton.... Now, have you a notebook and pencil?" - -"In my car." She tried to answer naturally, but she was keenly -disappointed. - -"Then will you please go and get them," he said, seating himself in -the cockpit of the plane which he had been using to illustrate his -statements. - -Obediently, but half-heartedly, Linda started back for the road where -her car was parked. She had gone about half-way when she came upon her -father, accompanied by Ralph Clavering, dressed like herself, in his -riding outfit. - -"Hello, Linda!" he cried. "Passed your physical exam, didn't you?" - -"Oh, yes," she answered. "So you're really going to learn, too?" - -"I most certainly am. And your father has consented to let us take our -lessons together. Won't that be fun?" - -"Linda," interrupted her father, as he saw her start away, "where are -you going? I want to tell you something." - -"Yes, Daddy?" A wild hope surged in her heart that perhaps he had -changed his mind about Ted. It wasn't only that she had taken a dislike -to H. B. Taylor--it was rather that she had not confidence in him as -a teacher. He might be all right as a pilot, but instructing others -was a different matter. And he would never really feel any personal -interest in her progress, or understand her, like Ted. His attitude -almost said that he thought it was silly of girls to want to fly! - -But she ought to have known her father better than to think he would -change his mind. - -"I should like to take your car and go home now, if you don't mind," he -said, "because I have some work to do today that is urgent--some people -to see about business. And Mr. Clavering has very kindly offered to -drive you home. Is that all right? I know you don't like other people -to run your car----" - -"Oh, Daddy, you're different," she said, forcing a smile. "Of course I -don't mind your driving it.... But I'm sorry you can't wait for us." - -Promising to meet Ralph in a couple of minutes, she walked out to the -entrance of the field with her father. - -"I need not tell you, dear," he said, "that my decision about Mackay -is final. And I want you to have as little to do with him as possible, -while you are here. It's for your own good, daughter. I can see that -girls might find the young man attractive. But it is well to steer -clear of such people. Have all the fun you like with your own friends." - -"Yes, Daddy," she managed to reply. - -"I guess young Clavering will see to it that your time at home, after -most of the others go away for the summer, is not dull. And if you -pass your course and get your license, you can fly your plane to Green -Falls. I will make arrangements about a place to keep it. I dare say -they have maps at the school." - -"Yes--and thank you so much--for everything, Daddy," she said. She -mustn't let him see that she was disappointed, after all he had done -for her! He might be right about Ted--but she didn't think so. Whatever -Ted's father might be, she felt sure that Ted was one of the finest -young Americans that she had ever known. - -Securing her notebook, and handing over her keys to her father, she -hurried back to the field, and finished her lesson with Ralph at her -side. As they walked out together, she looked about shyly for Ted. It -wouldn't do any harm for her just to speak to him; after all he did -want to tell her something. At last she spotted him, across the field -beside one of the planes--in overalls and jumper now, his red hair -brilliant in the sunlight. - -"Do you know I believe that's the fellow we chased last night!" -exclaimed Ralph. "Do you know him?" - -"Yes, I've met him. He took me up a couple of times." - -"You know him? Then why was he sneaking around so funny last night? Why -didn't he come over and speak to you?" - -"He's shy," replied Linda, jumping to the only conclusion that seemed -feasible, and her explanation must have been correct, for Ted never -looked up from his work as the young couple passed. - - - - -CHAPTER VI - -_Winning Her License_ - - -The next few weeks were the most interesting, the most exciting, of -Linda's whole life. Every day she drove over to the Flying School -with Ralph, and gained first her theoretical, and then her practical -knowledge. - -Both she and Ralph were surprised to find that it was so simple a -matter to handle a plane. By the middle of July they were accustomed -to stepping into the cockpits by themselves, nosing their planes into -the wind, and rising to a height of fifteen hundred feet, without even -a tremor. Anxiously they counted their hours of solo flying, not only -that their licenses would be approved, but because they both wanted to -try some stunts. They had studied the principles of loops, Immelman -turns, barrel rolls, and falling leaves, and they were wild to try them -out for themselves. - -Finally, after they had both passed their written examinations, and -were only waiting for their licenses to come through, Mr. Taylor -allowed them both to try an inside loop and an Immelman turn. Linda's -happiness was so great that she felt she just had to tell somebody, so -she went home and wrote to her father. Unfortunately, she thought it -wiser to say nothing about stunts to her aunt. - -Miss Carlton still insisted that she would never get into a plane, not -even Linda's. "It's too dangerous," she objected, when her niece was -begging her to go for a ride. "I might be killed--and then who would -take care of you? And besides, I don't see how anybody could learn to -fly in the short time you've been at it." - -"But Aunt Emily," explained Linda patiently, "it really is easier than -driving a car. Once you are off the ground, the plane practically flies -itself. And the higher you are, the safer." - -Miss Carlton shuddered. - -"I can't believe that, dear. Because the higher you are, the farther -you have to fall!" - -"But you have all that chance to regain control of your plane," -insisted her niece. "Crashes practically always come on the -ground--it's very rare indeed that two planes crash in the air, even -when they are flying in Army formation." - -"How soon do you think you'll get your license?" inquired Miss -Carlton, showing that Linda's words had made no impression at all upon -her. 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 just -try it once, you'd never be afraid again. It is the most wonderful -sensation--up in the skies, all alone! Free as a bird!" She paused -abruptly, smiling at her own enthusiasm. She did not often talk like -this 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 a -matter-of-fact tone. "But don't overdo it. And don't go in for any -stunts." - -Ralph Clavering, who had been making it his habit to come over to see -Linda every evening, now that all his other friends had gone away, -arrived on the porch in time to hear Miss Carlton's admonition. He -was about to say something, for he was very proud of his successful -"acrobatic flying," when he caught Linda's frown of warning. Of course -there was no use of worrying the timid woman, who was worried enough -already. - -He sat on the railing, dangling his legs, and carelessly lighting a -cigarette, as if he were very much at home. - -"Linda's little 'Pursuit' is a daisy, Miss Carlton," he said. "It -really 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 like -it!" - -Linda regarded him sympathetically. It was hard luck that his father, -with all his money, refused to buy Ralph a plane! But he had been -promised one the following year--if he graduated from college without -any conditions. Evidently Mr. Clavering was using it as a spur to his -son's ambition, for Ralph had never been keen about his studies. Good -times came first with him; besides, he argued, what was the use of -learning to make money, when his father already had more than they -could 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 evening -left, for Linda insisted upon going to bed early. - -"I'd like to map out our trip to Green Falls," the latter replied. "And -then we could show our plan to Lieutenant Kingsberry, and see where -the airports are located along the way, in case we have to land." - -"Why not Taylor?" inquired Ralph, teasingly, for he knew that Linda did -not 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 you -talking to him, Linda!" - -"I never get a chance. He's always busy, and besides, you're usually -with me. I guess he's too shy to intrude." - -Nevertheless, she decided that she must have one talk with Ted Mackay -before she left the school, to clear up matters that had never been -discussed. 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 she -received her license as a private pilot. - -Wild with joy at her success, she asked where Ted was, and ran over to -the hangar where he happened to be working. For once, Ralph was not -with 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 my -own 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, of -course, in a way he doesn't count." - -"And this is only your beginning, I know!" he said, his blue eyes -sparkling with enthusiasm. "You're going to a ground school in the -fall--as we used to talk about--aren't you?" - -"Yes, I hope so." She hesitated, and looked down at the ground, digging -the toe of a dainty slipper--entirely feminine, in spite of her flyer's -costume--into the dust. She felt shy, and embarrassed; it was so hard -to hurt Ted, and yet she didn't dare disobey her father. "Ted," she -said, finally, "could I have just one little talk with you, to clear -things up--before I go away?" - -"I've been longing for it," he confessed, eagerly. "But I'd decided -that you were through with me, on account of my actions that night you -got your plane--when I sneaked over to see it. One of the boys heard it -roaring 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 it -must be yours. When I went over to see it myself--I--I was hoping you'd -come out alone--and we could gloat over it together! And then all that -crowd showed up, and your aunt too--I was sure it was she--and I just -lost 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'--the -way 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 word -against my father, or I never will talk to you. But that brings me to -what I wanted to say.... My father has no time for you, on account of -your father. It seems that a man by the same name worked for him on -the ranch in Texas--and was untrustworthy. Could that have been your -father?" - -"I'm afraid it was," admitted Ted, sadly. - -"So you see why he selected Mr. Taylor to teach me to fly...." Tears -almost came into her eyes, as she saw how sorrowful Ted was looking. -"I think it's absurd, myself," she admitted. "But I suppose Daddy means -it 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 never -believed we could be real friends. I'm not like you--I don't believe in -fairy stories." - -"What do you mean?" - -"I mean that the poor young man, who has a disgrace to live down, isn't -likely to be friends with the rich, beautiful girl--in real life.... So -I guess it's good-by...." He held out his hand. - -"Oh, but I'll at least see you again!" she protested. "Tomorrow I'm -going 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," he -answered regretfully. "But unfortunately I am leaving myself tomorrow. -I'm taking a job as salesman for a plane construction company in Kansas -City." - -"Congratulations!" cried Linda, pleased at his advancement. "Well, good -luck--and good-by!" - -"And, by the way," he added, "I want to thank you for wearing my poor -little flowers at your class-day. I saw you--through the fence. I was -so glad they held the affair out-of-doors!" - -"Then they were from you?" she asked, ashamed that she had forgotten to -thank him. "I thought so, but I wasn't sure. I meant to ask you. They -were lovely." - -"I am going to give you a card of my firm," said Ted, reaching into his -pocket. "So that you will know where I am, in case you need any help -with 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 Ted -had disappeared. "Holding hands with Red?" His tone was irritable. - -"I was just saying good-by," she explained. "He's leaving tomorrow for -a job in Kansas City." - -"Flying?" - -"Naturally." - -"Well, we'll be flying away soon, too," he added, more cheerfully. "I -had a letter from Kit this morning, and she wants us surely at Green -Falls for July thirty-first. It's the Midsummer Ball, and the big event -of the season--socially. She told me to tell you and Miss Carlton to be -sure not to miss it." - -"Oh, I'll be ready by Saturday," replied Linda. "Aunt Emily has been -doing 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 while -they walked across the field, in the hope that Ted Mackay would see -them. "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 said -Harry Smith has a life-guard's job, and is spending all his spare time -with Lou." - -"I haven't heard from Lou in ages," remarked Linda. "But I guess it's -partly 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 car -was parked, "You're going to fly up with me in the 'Pursuit,' aren't -you, Ralph?" - -"Surest thing! We'll fly everywhere together--from now on. Just like -Mr. 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 who -came out from a shabby coupé in front of theirs. He had evidently been -leaning over, fixing something. - -"Want any help?" asked Ralph, though Linda knew he hadn't the slightest -idea of giving any. - -"No, thanks," muttered the man, without looking up. "Engine trouble." - -"Engine trouble!" repeated Linda, sympathetically. Then, turning to -Ralph. "Suppose something like that should happen to us--on the way to -Green Falls!" - -"Well, it won't!" replied Ralph reassuringly. "The motor's just about -perfect 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 me -to bring her pearls up for the Midsummer Ball!" - -"Real pearls--at a summer resort!" cried Linda, as she slipped the key -into 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 as -she's succeeded in getting Dad's permission, it's not my business -to stop her.... By the way, it's a fancy-dress affair. What sort of -costume 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 and -mid-summer balls. Nothing mattered to her, but the glorious fact that -at last she was a real flyer! - - - - -CHAPTER VII - -_The Flight to Green Falls_ - - -The first thing that Linda thought of when she opened her eyes the -following morning was the glorious fact that she was now a real pilot. -She could take her plane anywhere--to Green Falls, to her father's -ranch in Texas, wherever she wanted to go--and nobody could stop her. -The freedom of the world and of the skies was hers. - -But she had no intention of taking it any farther than the Spring City -Flying School that day. She would spend the morning there, watching one -of the licensed mechanics give it a thorough inspection, in readiness -for the flight to Green Falls on the following day. - -She wished that it might be Ted Mackay who would go over the plane. She -had such confidence in his knowledge, his thoroughness. Besides, it -would be fun to spend the morning with him, asking him questions, and -talking things over. - -Naturally, that was impossible. When Linda reached the field she found -that Ted already had gone, and a number of changes had been made. H. -B. Taylor was now first-ranking instructor, and the young man who had -been acting as office boy, or orderly, or whatever they chose to call -him, had passed his course and was promoted to the rank of instructor. -Another man took his place--an older man this time, and Linda thought -probably it was the poor fellow who had been having engine trouble with -his shabby coupé the preceding day. Everything seemed different, and -Linda was somehow glad that she was leaving. The place would never be -the same to her without Ted Mackay. - -About noon she received the mechanic's O.K. upon her plane, and flew -home in time for lunch. Her aunt had finished packing, and was as -excited as a child about going to Green Falls, and again taking up -their customary social life among their friends. - -"I have bought a new flying suit for you, dear," she said to her niece, -as the girl entered the library. "Unwrap it and see how you like it." - -Linda eagerly unfastened the strings and lifted out a pair of white -flannel knickers, with a jaunty blue sweater and helmet of knitted -silk, just the color of her eyes. The whole costume was charming, and -a lovely change from the dark riding breeches she had been using for -flying. - -"It's perfect, Aunt Emily!" she cried, realizing for the first time -that she had never cared for what she was now wearing. "And it was so -sweet of you to think of getting it for me!" - -"I never could see why girls have to look masculine," replied her aunt. -"Of course I can understand that skirts are impractical, but they make -these suits so pretty now-a-days. And I want you to look nice the very -first minute you arrive at Green Falls. First impressions are always so -important and there is sure to be a crowd there to greet you." - -Linda was only too delighted to wear it the next day, which dawned -clear and warm for her flight. Miss Carlton left early in the morning, -by train, so that she would be at Green Falls in plenty of time to -welcome the flyers. - -Ralph came over for Linda about half-past nine. Carrying their lunch, -the young people started on their first real adventure in the air. - -The young man, too, wore a new suit of spotless white flannel, and, -as they walked, tall and slender and straight, they made perhaps the -best-looking pair of flyers in America. But neither was conscious of -that; both were too much excited about their first trip in the air to -give even a passing thought to their appearances. - -"Are you sure that you have the precious necklace?" asked Linda, as -they made their way across the field in back of her house. - -"Yes, indeed," answered Ralph. "I went to the safe-deposit vault this -morning to get it. That was one reason why I didn't want to start -early. I had to wait for the bank to open." - -"Kit would be horribly disappointed if we didn't bring it," returned -Linda. "I honestly think she loves those pearls as much as I do my -'Pursuit'!" - -"Queer taste," remarked the boy. "If I had them, I'd sell them and buy -a biplane!" - -"Of course you would," said Linda approvingly. "Even if you do insist -upon talking baby-talk!" - -"Baby-talk?" - -"Certainly. 'Buy a biplane'--sounds like 'Bye, Bye, Baby,' doesn't it?" - -Ralph smiled, but they both forgot immediately what they were saying, -for they were beside the plane now, ready to start on their flight. -Linda was not at all nervous about the journey, only thrilled and -happy. She climbed into the cockpit with the same assurance that she -entered her car, and her take-off was just as easy, just as natural. It -seemed now as if she piloted the biplane by instinct; with the sureness -of a bird it rose into the air to a gradual height of fifteen hundred -feet. For she had been cautioned again and again that there was safety -in height. - -They flew along without any attempt at conversation, for it was -difficult to hear above the roar of the motor. But Linda was so -happy that she hummed softly to herself, and most of the time she -was smiling. Ralph, with a map in his lap, kept a close watch on the -compass. - -For some time they did not see any other planes in the sky, and then -at last one came into view. As it drew closer, it occurred to Linda to -wonder whether she was being followed. - -"Who do you suppose that is?" shouted Ralph, above the noise of the -motor. - -"I think it's somebody from our school--maybe Taylor," she replied. -"Perhaps Dad ordered them to follow us--for safety--or maybe it was Ted -Mackay's idea." - -As the plane drifted off to one side, they thought no more about the -matter. But it was noon now; the sun stood high overhead, and both of -the young people were astonished to find how hungry they were. - -"I want to try a couple of stunts before we eat," Linda told Ralph. -"You're game, aren't you?" - -"Surest thing!" replied the boy, with delight. "We've got plenty of -height--and a spectator too, for that matter." The other plane had just -come back into sight. - -Linda's eyes were shining with excitement, yet inside she was perfectly -cool. Hadn't she made inside loops and Immelman turns often at school, -and didn't she know exactly what to do? With perfect poise, she swung -the plane into a loop, and completed it without any difficulty. Pleased -with her success, she tried it again and again. - -"You must think you're Laura Ingalls!" shouted Ralph, catching his -breath. "Trying to beat her record?" - -"Hardly," smiled Linda, for the famous aviatrix he mentioned held the -record at that time with nine hundred and eighty consecutive inside -loops, at a speed of four and a half loops a minute. - -The plane was righted now, but Linda suddenly noticed that Ralph was -acting awfully queer, hanging over the side, and hunting frantically -in the pockets of the sweater which he had put over the seat. She -believed he must be ill; certainly his face was ghastly white. - -"Ralph!" she cried, fearfully. "What's the matter?" - -"I've lost the necklace!" he screamed in terror. "Must have fallen out -of my pocket!" - -"Oh!" wailed Linda, aghast at the meaning of his words. "Are you sure?" - -"Positive!" - -"Then we'll land immediately. We're over a field, so we ought to be -able to find it. Now--keep your eye on the compass!" - -Gradually, and with easy skill, she turned the biplane into the wind -and descended, finally coming down into a large flat field, evidently a -pasture ground for some horses. Ralph was the first to jump out. - -"We went a little south to land," he said, "so it must have dropped up -there." - -"Was it in a box?" questioned Linda. - -"Yes, fortunately. A white velvet box, inside a larger pasteboard one, -with three rubber bands around it. That ought to make it easier to -find." - -Linda, however, had her doubts; the field was so big! Besides, what -proof had Ralph that he had lost it at that particular minute--when -she was making her loops. She remembered that he had taken off his -sweater an hour ago, when he felt too warm, and had carelessly hung it -over the side, forgetful of the precious box in its pocket. That was -the trouble with being so rich! Many times she had noticed how heedless -both Kitty and Ralph were about valuables. - -They walked silently across the field, their eyes on the ground, their -minds filled with remorse. Ten minutes passed, and they had not found -it. - -"Let's go back and eat our lunch," suggested Ralph, consulting his -watch. "It's almost one o'clock, and we'll feel better if we eat. After -all, we have plenty of time--Green Falls is only about twenty miles -farther. We could search all afternoon, if necessary." - -"Yes, only Aunt Emily would nearly die of anxiety. She'd be sure we had -been killed, if we didn't arrive before supper." - -They went back to the plane and took out the dainty lunch which Miss -Carlton's cook had packed that morning for them. But, hungry though -they were, the meal was not the pleasant picnic they had been hoping -for. Both were too unhappy to enjoy what they were eating. - -Presently the noise of a motor overhead attracted their attention, and, -looking up, they saw a plane in descent. When it was low enough to -identify, they knew that it was the one that had been following them. - -"It's the 'Waco' from our school!" cried Linda. "I recognize it now. He -must think we're in trouble. I wonder who's piloting?" - -The plane made a rather poor landing at the far end of the field, -perhaps half a mile away. They could distinguish a man getting out of -the cockpit, but of course at that distance they could not identify -him. However, he seemed to be coming slowly towards them. - -As he advanced nearer and nearer Linda noticed that he wore an ordinary -suit of clothing--not a flyer's uniform, and he kept his hand in his -pocket. But she still did not recognize him--unless he was that new -man the school had taken on the preceding day. Once he stooped over, -as if he were picking something up, and Linda's heart beat wildly with -hope. Could it be that he had found the necklace? Apparently, though, -it was only a plant that he had pulled up by the roots, for when he -straightened himself, he seemed to be examining its leaves. - -"In trouble?" he shouted, as soon as he was within hearing distance. - -Ralph jumped up and ran towards him, shaking his head in the negative. - -"No trouble with the plane," he replied. "But we've lost a little -box--with a necklace in it. You haven't seen it, have you?" - -"Why, yes," answered the man slowly, "I did pick up a box." And he -put his other hand in his pocket, and drew out the very article. -Fortunately it had not been broken; even the rubber bands were still -tightly around it. He handed it to Ralph. - -"Oh, thank you a thousand times!" cried Linda, too relieved to believe -her eyes. "The necklace was a graduation present to this man's sister, -and she values it very highly!" - -"Well, if that's all, I'll be off," said the man, as he watched Ralph -put the box into his pocket. - -"No, I must reward you," insisted the boy, taking out a twenty-dollar -bill. "And by the way, you're from the Spring City Flying School, -aren't you? We recognized the plane." - -The other nodded, and seemed in a hurry to be off. Already he was -twenty feet away. - -"It was awfully nice of you to follow us, and look after us," called -Linda, "but really we don't need protection. We're getting along -finely!" - -But the man was running now, and could hardly have heard what Linda was -saying. In a couple of minutes they heard the motor start, and with a -clumsy take-off, the plane ascended. - -"A queer cuss," remarked Ralph. "And I can't see that he's much of a -flyer. You and I are both better--by a long shot.... But anyhow, we've -got the necklace!" He put his arms around Linda and hugged her, and she -was too happy to protest. What a miracle it was to have found it! - -"That will teach me a lesson," said Ralph, as he helped Linda gather up -the lunch. "I'm going to be more careful now. I've put the necklace in -my most inside pocket!" - -"And I'm not going in for any more acrobatics for a while," added Linda. - -They climbed into the cockpit, and started the motor without wasting -any more time. Half an hour later they made a graceful landing at Green -Falls' Airport, for a group of a hundred spectators to witness and -admire. - - - - -CHAPTER VIII - -_The Robbery_ - - -"Let's don't say anything about our little mishap," whispered Linda, -as the flying couple got out of their plane. "For one thing, I'd just -as soon not boast about stunts in front of Aunt Emily. She would be -worried all the more." - -"And I'm not any too proud of the fact that I was so careless about a -valuable necklace," returned Ralph. "So we'll keep it our secret." - -There was no time for further words. Everybody rushed at them, shouting -joyous welcomes. Louise was the first to kiss Linda--then all the -others, and finally her aunt. - -"Thank Heaven you're safe!" cried the latter. "I couldn't eat a bite of -lunch, I was so uneasy." - -"Of course we're safe," assured Ralph. "And maybe if we'd come by -motor, we should have had an accident. There was a big smash-up--two -automobiles--outside of Spring City this morning." - -"Isn't the air up here wonderful!" exclaimed Miss Carlton. "After that -stuffy town of ours!" - -"I think the _airport_ is wonderful," replied Linda, "for so small a -place. But as for the air--well, don't forget Auntie dear, that Ralph -and I have been having marvelous air--up in the skies!" - -"Hope you didn't give him the air," remarked Maurice Stetson, solemnly. - -Kitty Clavering gave the young man a withering look, and inquired of -the flyers when they might hope for rides. "Oh, I don't mean today," -she added, "for I know you must both be nearly dead." - -"Not a bit of it!" denied Linda, who still looked as fresh as a -flower in her becoming blue and white suit. "But it's supposed to be -wise to have a mechanic go over your plane each time you fly. Just a -precaution, you see." - -"A very good rule to follow," commented Miss Carlton. "Now everybody -get into their cars, and we'll go over to our bungalow for some -ginger-ale and sandwiches." - -"Just a moment, please!" interrupted a voice at her elbow, and everyone -turned to see a newspaper man with a camera. "Pictures, please!" - -Linda and Ralph smilingly agreed, and their friends stepped aside. Then -they all piled into the three machines that were waiting for them; -while the strangers who had been watching commented on the beautiful -biplane, and the handsome couple who had been flying it, and wondered -whether they were married. - -"Did you bring my necklace, Ralph?" asked Kitty Clavering, as he got -into her roadster with her and Maurice. - -"Surest thing!" he replied, as if nothing at all had happened on the -way. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the pasteboard box, with -the French jeweler's name engraved on the lid. - -"Thanks a lot," she replied. "Maurry, you take care of it till we get -home, so long as you're sitting in the middle. Mind you don't lose it! -I think as much of that as Linda does of her plane." - -"But not as much of it as you do of me?" asked the youth, flippantly. - -"A thousand times more! Like the old question people always ask married -men: 'If your mother and your wife were drowning, which one would you -save?' Well, if you and the necklace were drowning, I'd go after my -necklace!" - -"Righto. Necklaces, no matter how valuable, have never been known to -swim. I do." - -It was only a five minute ride from the airport to Miss Carlton's -bungalow, so Kitty waited until they had all gone inside the pleasant -living-room to open her box, and gaze at her beloved treasure once more. - -"I'm dying to see it again," she said, as she took the box from -Maurice's hand. "If I had my way, I wouldn't keep it in a safe-deposit -vault. I like it where I can look at it." - -She took off the rubber bands and opened the box, displaying the velvet -case inside. But when she unfastened the clasp, her expression of -delight changed abruptly to one of horror. The case was empty! - -Her exclamation of distress was pitiful to hear. Her dearest -possession--gone! - -"Ralph!" she cried with torturing accusation. "Ralph! Are you teasing -me?" - -Her brother's face became ghastly white. - -"What--what's wrong--Kit?" he stammered. - -"My necklace! Oh, what has happened?" She burst out crying. - -Everybody crowded around and gazed in consternation at the empty box, -looking questioningly at Ralph, to see whether it could possibly be -intended as a joke. But he did not need to tell them of his innocence; -he looked almost as stricken as his sister. He knew now that it had -been stolen by the man who pretended to be a pilot! And he had -actually made twenty dollars out of Ralph besides, for the transaction! -What fools they had been, never to open the box! - -"It's all my fault!" cried Linda, contritely. "My silly, foolish, -childishness, for wanting to show off!" - -Nobody of course had any idea what she was talking about--nobody except -Ralph. - -"No! No! It was mine!" he protested. "My carelessness!" - -"Then you both knew!" exclaimed Kitty, raising her head, which she had -buried on Linda's shoulder while she sobbed. "Oh, how cruel, not to -prepare me!" - -"On my honor, we didn't!" averred Ralph, and from the look on his face, -his sister knew that he was telling the truth. - -"Explain what you meant, then," she commanded. - -"Let me tell you," put in Linda. "But sit down, Kit dear. You're liable -to faint.... You see, we were robbed, and too foolish to suspect it. We -even paid the robber twenty dollars for doing the job." - -"So you said," Kitty remarked, impatiently. "Do you mean that you saw -somebody take it--right under your eyes?" She had dropped down on the -couch, and her pale little face was pitiful to see. The tears still ran -down her cheeks, washing tiny rivers through the powder. Luckily she -was not a girl who used rouge, or she would have looked ridiculous. As -it was, she gave the appearance of a very unhappy child. - -"Exactly!" explained Linda. "Or rather, we might have, if we had had -sense enough to realize it. I wanted to try a couple of loops, and we -started quite high, but by the time we had finished, we were over an -open field. It was then that Ralph suddenly realized that the box had -dropped out of his pocket when the plane was on its side. So we decided -to land, and search the field." - -"And somebody had already picked it up?" demanded Dot, excitedly. - -"No. Another airplane--I had noticed it before--landed soon after we -came down. The pilot walked over and asked us if we were in trouble." - -"And you stupids told him all about the fifty-thousand-dollar -necklace!" cried Louise, in disgust. - -"No, we didn't! We were smart enough to know that wouldn't be wise. We -thought we knew him, though--we had seen him at the Spring City Flying -School. But we did tell him we had lost a necklace, and he said he had -picked something up. As a matter of fact, we had noticed him stoop -over." - -"And you took it and thanked him, and never looked inside!" cried Kitty. - -"I'm afraid you're right," admitted Ralph. "We thought he was a friend, -following us for our protection, at the orders of the school." - -"Well, then, why was he following you?" demanded Kitty, incredulously. - -"He must have overheard us talking about the necklace," answered Linda -slowly, for she was trying to think the thing out. "Yes--that is what -I believe he was doing all the time, Ralph. Now I remember--the day we -got our licenses!" - -"You mean you went around the school shouting the news that you were -carrying pearls to Green Falls in an airplane?" asked the unhappy girl. - -"Of course not! Only the men at the bank--the safe-deposit -vault--really knew about it. And of course they're absolutely -trustworthy! Except maybe this one man--who was fixing his car outside -the aviation field. We never thought he was listening--why we couldn't -even see him!" - -"Children," interrupted Miss Carlton, who had been patiently waiting -to serve the refreshments, "wouldn't you all feel better if you ate -something? Then we can discuss what are the best steps to take to -capture the thief." - -They agreed, but Linda and Ralph and Kitty were all extremely nervous; -they hated to lose any time. Ralph decided to telephone to a lawyer at -once in Spring City, to put expert detectives on the job, and to get in -touch with the Flying School. - -"Lucky the necklace was insured," remarked Maurice Stetson, as he drank -his ginger-ale. - -"Yes, but Dad will never get me another!" moaned Kitty, disconsolately. -"He'll say I was careless, and invest the insurance in bonds, to be -kept in trust till I'm older--or something like that." She started to -cry afresh. "And I only wore the necklace twice--at graduation and at -the class dance!" - -Linda watched her sorrow with more than sympathy--with remorse. It was -her fault, she was sure! Of course she couldn't imagine caring so much -for a pearl necklace, when such lovely imitations were made, but it -wasn't her place to judge. Kitty probably wouldn't understand why she -loved her Arrow so much. - -Slowly, painfully, she came to her decision. She rose and went over to -the couch where Kitty was sitting, and crowded in between the latter -and Dot. - -"It's my fault, Kit," she said, "and of course I can't pay for it--but -I can help. I'm--I'm--going to sell my airplane, and--give you the -money. Then you can start buying a new one--a couple of pearls at a -time." - -Kitty squeezed her hand affectionately. - -"You're a dear, Linda, but I couldn't possibly let you do that. -Besides, it was really Ralph's fault." - -"Of course it was!" put in the young man, returning from making his -telephone call. "But we're going to catch that thief!" he announced, -with conviction. "I've just been talking with Lieutenant Kingsberry -at the field, and he says that fellow didn't even have a license, -that they only took him on temporarily, as sort of errand boy. And he -deliberately stole that plane!" - -"I thought he was about the poorest pilot I ever saw!" cried Linda, -jumping up excitedly at this piece of news. "He'll probably crash, -sooner or later.... Ralph!" Her eyes were shining with inspiration.... -"Let's go out after him--ourselves!" - -"Lieutenant Kingsberry is broadcasting the news all over--to all the -airports," replied the young man. "Everybody will be watching for him. -Do you think there would be any use in our going?" - -"Yes! Yes! We might be just the ones to spot him! Oh, come on!" - -"But haven't you had enough flying for today, Linda?" inquired Miss -Carlton, anxiously. - -"We won't go far, Auntie dear," answered the girl. "Just around to the -nearest airports, and see if anybody has any information. The practice -of landing and taking-off again will be good for us both.... And you -needn't worry one bit!... Now, who'll drive us over to our 'Pursuit'?" - -"'Pursuit' is right," remarked Maurice. "Your plane has the right name, -Linda!" - -Louise immediately offered her services, and in less than five minutes -the young pilots had washed their faces and were ready to start. Ten -minutes later they climbed into the cockpit on the runway of the -airport, and, this time with Ralph at the controls, they took off for -the nearest airport. - -Ralph was delighted to be piloting a plane again, and in his enthusiasm -he almost forgot the seriousness of his mission. A king of the air, -he thought, and his lips were smiling. But Linda could not forget so -easily. - -Like most young men, he loved going fast, and as soon as he was high -enough, he let the plane out to her maximum speed. Over the clouds they -sailed, at a rate of seventy miles an hour, yet they did not seem to -be traveling fast. Linda had no sense of danger, yet it was the first -flight she had ever made that she did not thoroughly enjoy, for, unlike -Ralph, she could not for one moment forget Kitty's tragedy. - -Twenty minutes, however, was all that was needed to reach their first -port, and Ralph, not quite so skilled or so careful as Linda, made, -nevertheless a pretty landing. It was a large field, evidently designed -for amateur sport flyers, and there were a number of licensed mechanics -in readiness to greet new arrivals. - -Ralph lost no time in telling his story to the first man who came -forward. Had they any information so far? he inquired. - -"Only of a wreck about fifteen miles away," replied the latter. "That -may be your man--if, as you say, he is not an experienced pilot." - -"Can you give us directions?" put in Linda excitedly. - -"Certainly," replied the other, taking a map from his pocket, and -indicating the position of the wreck. "We've already sent a doctor and -a nurse--and telephoned for an ambulance." Marking the spot, he handed -the map to Ralph. - -Jumping into the plane at once, Linda took control, for she felt surer -of herself than of her companion in an emergency. The boy was so -absent-minded, so likely to forget things in his excitement. - -Their destination was a field again, but not a large one, this time, -and already a small crowd, gathered from passing automobiles, had -collected. Here landing was not so easy as in the airports designed for -that very purpose. But the girl knew just what she was doing, and she -handled the situation with a dexterity that would have brought credit -to a far more experienced pilot. - -Over against an embankment, its wings smashed to pieces, a plane was -lying on its side, mutely testifying to the truth of the mechanic's -statement. - -"There's the wreck!" cried Ralph, as he and Linda stepped on the -ground. "Do you think it's the Waco?" - -Grabbing her companion's arm, Linda ran forward eagerly. When they were -within fifty yards of it, she knew that it was the very plane they -were seeking. - -"It is! Oh, Ralph! Even the license number--so I'm sure! Remember? -Look! Do you suppose that man was killed?" - -"Would serve him right!" muttered the boy, resentfully. "Stealing a -necklace, and crashing a plane that wasn't his! But let's go over and -have a peep at him--there's the ambulance." - -The crowd, which was still gathering, although the field was in an -isolated spot, was being held back by a policeman, for the ambulance -was ready to start. Ralph dashed forward, anxious to get a look at the -thief before it departed. - -"Not that we could claim the necklace now," he explained to Linda, -whose arm he was holding, "for we haven't any proofs of our ownership. -But at least we could warn the cop to look out for it." - -"Back! Back!" shouted the officer, for the driver was tooting his horn. - -"Oh, please wait a minute!" begged Linda. "Please let me see the man -who is inside!" - -The policeman regarded the girl doubtfully, but she was so eager in her -pleading that he thought perhaps she had a good reason. Perhaps the man -inside the ambulance meant something to her; he decided to grant her -request. - -"Take a look, miss," he agreed. "But be quick about it." - -Stepping ahead of Ralph, Linda climbed upon the back step of the car, -and peered anxiously into it, past the white-clad interne, to the -unconscious figure on the stretcher. Suddenly she started violently, -and clung to the door of the ambulance for support. It was incredible, -impossible! Her knees shook, her hands fell to her side, and she swayed -backward in a faint. In an instant Ralph's arms were around her; he -carried her out of the crowd. - -The unconscious man in the ambulance was none other than Ted Mackay! - - - - -CHAPTER IX - -_Suspicions_ - - -Someone from the crowd handed Ralph a cup filled with water, and before -they had gone half a dozen steps, Linda had recovered consciousness. -She dropped down to the ground and stared questioningly about her. - -"What was it, my dear?" asked Ralph gently, as he held the water to her -lips. "Was the man hurt so horribly?" - -"No--it wasn't that," replied Linda slowly, remembering all that had -happened. "It was just--oh, Ralph! I hate to tell you!" - -"Please tell me, Linda," he begged. - -She looked about her for a moment. The ambulance had gone, and the -crowd, seeing that the girl was all right, began to withdraw, some to -examine the shattered plane, others to go back to their cars parked -along the roadside. There was nobody listening now, so she decided to -answer Ralph's question. - -"It wasn't our thief at all," she said. "It was--Ted Mackay." - -"Ted Mackay?" he repeated, as if he could not believe his ears. - -"Yes." - -"Then how do you explain it? That couldn't have been Mackay we met on -that field--Mackay disguised, or anything?" - -"No. He wasn't tall enough. And he had black hair. Oh, Ralph, I'm sure -of that!" - -"Then how do you explain it?" - -"I don't explain it," she said weakly. - -He said nothing more, but he knew that she was not only terribly -disappointed in not being able to trace the necklace, but that she was -entertaining grave doubts about Mackay's part in the whole miserable -affair. Were he and this thief in partnership, playing a wicked game, -and had Ted hired the man because he would not let them know his part -in the robbery? - -But there was no use talking about that now, for Ralph realized that -Linda was almost ready to collapse. Drawing her arm through his, he -led her silently back to the Pursuit, and put her into the cockpit, -indicating that he would pilot them back to Green Falls. Not a word did -she utter during the entire flight homeward; she drooped listlessly -back in her seat, with an expression of disappointment and despair on -her face. How she wished that she had not come! - -No one was waiting for them at the airport, so they took a taxi to Miss -Carlton's bungalow. They found the latter on the porch, with only Kitty -and Maurice beside her. - -"Any news?" demanded the girl, jumping out of the hammock, and rushing -down the steps before the taxi had been stopped. - -"Some news, yes," replied Linda, while Ralph paid the driver. "But I'm -afraid it doesn't mean much. Ralph will tell you all about it." - -But the young man was not willing to tell his story until he had asked -Miss Carlton to take care of Linda. - -"She fainted at the field," he explained. "The hot sun and the crowd, I -expect." He did not want to speak of Ted Mackay before her, while she -felt so ill. "So if you'll take Linda up to her room, Miss Carlton, -I'll tell Kitty what I know--and tell you later." - -The words aroused Linda's aunt immediately, and she lost interest in -the necklace temporarily. What were a few pearls, anyway, in comparison -to her precious girl? She hurried her off to bed, and Ralph turned to -Kitty and Maurice. - -"You see it was this way," he began, and Kitty stamped her foot in -exasperation. - -"Don't be so slow, Ralph!" she commanded. - -"Why, here comes Linda's father!" interrupted Maurice, as another taxi -stopped at the bungalow. "What do you think of that?" - -Kitty looked vexed. Another interruption! But Ralph was already on his -feet, greeting him, and explaining the absence of Linda and her aunt. - -"And I was just going to tell Kitty about our pursuit of the thief," he -added, "so if you care to hear the story, Mr. Carlton, perhaps you will -sit here with us?" - -The older man was glad to comply with the request. Naturally, anything -that was connected with Linda's first flights was of paramount interest -to him. - -So, in spite of Kitty's impatience, her brother began the story with -the day that he and Linda received their licenses, and ended it with -the latter's identification of Ted Mackay, unconscious on the stretcher -in the ambulance. - -"Mackay!" repeated Mr. Carlton, shaking his head knowingly. "So he was -the brains of the crime!" - -"I'm afraid so, sir. And I'm afraid that's what made Linda faint." - -"Of course it is! She believed in that fellow. But I warned her not to -trust him. You see his father worked for me out in Texas and he's an -unprincipled fellow. Stole from everybody--not only myself, but even -the rest of the help. And got into a mix-up with some Mexicans, and -turned them against me.... Yes, it must run in the family. The father -may even be in on this necklace robbery. I don't know where he is now." - -"That explains a good deal," mused Ralph, who had been listening -thoughtfully. "I never did like Ted Mackay." He would not admit even to -himself that jealousy was the main reason for this dislike. "Besides, -Linda probably told him about the Midsummer Ball, and our carrying -Kit's necklace to Green Falls. I thought it was funny if that other -chap caught on so quickly." - -"Did Linda see much of Mackay while she was at the school?" her father -asked, sharply. - -"I can't say that, although I wasn't always with her. Towards the end -of our time we did so much solo flying, that when I was up in the -air I didn't know where she was, although she was usually up too--in -another plane. But one time I did find her in a pretty intimate -conversation--and that was right before we left. She probably told him -then." - -"Too bad! Too bad!" muttered Mr. Carlton, regretfully. He was wishing -now that he had sent Linda to some other flying school. - -At this moment, Miss Carlton, having left Linda asleep in her room, -came out on the porch to see her young guests. She showed no surprise -at finding her brother; for fifteen years she had been accustomed to -having him drop in when least expected, without a moment's notice. - -"Well, Tom," was all that she said, as she presented her cheek for his -brotherly kiss. "I suppose these children have told you the news." - -"Yes, and if you don't mind, Emily, I think I'll drive over with them -to see Mr. Clavering," he added, for the young people had all risen, -and were showing signs of departure. "I'd like to have a talk with -him--at least if you'll excuse me." - -"Certainly," replied his sister. "And will you be back in time for -dinner?" - -"I'll come home in half an hour," stated her brother, laughing, for he -always teased her about her insistence upon his promptness. - -It was natural that he should want to meet Kitty's parents, that he -might at least offer to do his part in trying to recover or make good -the girl's loss. - -But Mr. Clavering seemed to take the matter almost lightly. - -"Of course it's too bad," he said, "but as long as it is only a theft, -and not an injury to one of the children, I think it's foolish to -worry. And, after all, we may get insurance." - -"_May_ get insurance?" repeated Mr. Carlton, frowning. "Why shouldn't -you get it? I thought that was what insurance was for!" - -"I'm afraid ordinary insurance will not cover travel by air," explained -the other man. - -At these words his daughter burst into tears. Her last hope was gone! - -"I never thought of that," said Mr. Carlton, gravely. "That makes a -difference.... Well, Mr. Clavering, in that case, I guess we had better -divide the obligation. I'll raise my twenty-five thousand--the necklace -was worth fifty, I understand--as soon as I can." - -"You'll do nothing of the sort!" protested the other, firmly. "Your -daughter was not the least bit at fault. It was natural for her to try -her stunts--she wouldn't be human if she didn't! I put the whole blame -upon Ralph." - -"No! No----" - -"Yes, yes! I won't hear anything else. But we'll wait and give the -detectives time. If we have caught the leader, as you and Ralph think, -it ought to be an easy matter to locate the accomplice. At least, -provided Mackay doesn't die." - -"That's true!" exclaimed Ralph. "I never thought of that. We better get -over to the hospital to see him as soon as possible." - -"How about tomorrow morning?" suggested Mr. Carlton. "I'd like to go -with you, my boy--I've had some experience in dealing with criminals, -ever since the episode with Mackay's father." - -"I'll be delighted to have you," replied Ralph. "And in the meantime, -I'll call my detective and put him on the other man's trail." - -So while Linda slept peacefully at home, her father and her best boy -friend made plans to verify their suspicions against Ted Mackay, lying -helpless in the hospital, twenty-five miles from Green Falls. - - - - -CHAPTER X - -_In the Hospital_ - - -When Ted Mackay opened his eyes at the hospital the following morning, -he did not know where he was. Although he had regained consciousness -when the orderlies brought him in from the ambulance the day before, it -had not lasted long. An anesthetic was immediately administered, for -it was necessary to cut into his arm, and later a drug was given to -make him sleep. So, for the moment, he could not understand why he was -here--in a ward, undoubtedly, judging from the long row of cots against -the wall. - -A dull aching pain in his arm and shoulder made him glance suspiciously -at his left side. They were bandaged, of course. And then suddenly he -remembered. - -He had been sent out with a new plane, from his company in Kansas -City, to make delivery to a purchaser in Buffalo. Just before he -left, a radio message had been received from the Spring City Flying -School, asking all pilots and mechanics to look out for a stolen Waco. -Naturally, Ted remembered the plane. - -He had been flying quite low, to make certain tests with the plane he -was delivering, over the fields beyond Green Falls, when he suddenly -noticed a wreck. Complying with the regulations of the Department -of Commerce, he descended in order to report the casualty and to -render assistance, if possible. Smashed as it was, he recognized it -immediately as the old Waco, which he had so often piloted at Spring -City. He looked about for the pilot, dreading to find his shattered -body in the cockpit. - -He had been leaning over, peering into the bushes, when a gun went off -at his back, hitting him on the left arm, near the shoulder. Reeling -about sharply, he just had time to see a shabbily dressed man run for -the new plane. And then everything went black; he couldn't recall what -happened, or how he got to the hospital. - -"The company's new plane!" he suddenly exclaimed aloud, attempting to -sit up in his cot. "It's gone!" - -He looked about helplessly for the nurse, for anybody, to verify his -fears. But nobody came, although down the hall he could hear footsteps -of people busy on their early morning duties. - -Warned by the pain in his shoulder, he sank back on his pillow to wait, -and as he lay there quietly, he went back over the events of the past -week that had been so eventful for him. He thought of Linda Carlton, of -the pride and joy in her beautiful eyes when she had won her license. -And of her farewell! A farewell that might easily be forever! Yet -through no fault of his own, merely because his father had disgraced -himself. - -It had always been like that with Ted; it seemed as if his father had -tried to spoil his whole life. Just when the boy was ready to enter -High School, Mr. Mackay had been dismissed from his job for stealing -from the cash-drawer of the store where he was employed. The judge had -let him off, for he knew what a splendid woman Mrs. Mackay was, and -Ted and his older sister had gone to work to pay the debt. It was hard -sledding after that; Mr. Mackay wandered off, working now in one place -and now in another, and Ted put off his hopes of study for a while. -Then, just as the family were getting ahead, and Ted had started in at -an aviation school, the man came back for more money. The last they -heard of him was a year ago, when he had written that he had a real -job on a ranch in Texas. But evidently he had done something wrong -there, or Mr. Carlton would not be so bitter against his son. - -Ted's shoulder was hurting him badly, and his thoughts were not -pleasant, so he uttered a weary sigh. - -"Well! Well!" exclaimed a cheery voice at the door. "Is the world as -sad as all that?" - -Ted's mouth relaxed into a smile, the smile that had won him so many -friends at the Spring City Flying School. He had not heard the nurse, a -pretty probationer, who just entered the ward. - -"How's the shoulder this morning?" she asked him brightly. "You're -looking better, Mr. Mackay." - -"I'm all right," replied Ted, wondering how she knew his name. "But can -you give me any news of my plane?" - -"Your plane was wrecked, wasn't it?" she inquired. - -"No--I hope not! That was the other fellow's plane. The fellow that -shot me." - -"Oh, I see. Then there were two planes?" - -"Certainly. Didn't you know?... You seem to know my name----" - -"There were some letters in your pocket--don't you remember? And the -address of a company in Kansas City.... But I don't think anybody -realizes that there were _two_ planes--that you didn't wreck yours." - -"Oh, but I wouldn't wreck a plane in that way!" he protested. "I -think too much of them!" His face lighted up with the enthusiasm he -always showed when he talked about flying. "But I've got to get to a -telephone!" he added. "I must notify my company immediately of the -loss." - -"Probably your company knows all about it," she replied. "Anyway, you -can't do anything now--except lie still while I take your temperature. -And then eat your breakfast. After your wound is dressed--if the doctor -agrees----" - -"But I've got to get dressed right away! I want to notify them so that -they can catch that bandit!" - -"Yes, yes. In due time. You must be patient." - -"You say they didn't know about that other fellow!" he cried, -excitedly. "I tell you----" - -He stopped suddenly, for he saw that his nurse had gone off to another -cot. There was no use trying to argue with nurses, he learned, for -they had to follow the rules laid down by the doctors and the hospital -authorities. - -So, for the next two hours he did exactly as he was told, not even -making an attempt to dress. For his nurse had informed him that he must -stay there at least another day. - -He was dozing when a representative from his company called to see him. -But the man urged the nurse not to disturb him, saying that he would -come again the following morning. She told him what she knew of Ted's -story, and of his anxiety over the stolen plane, and he promised to -send out scouts in its pursuit. - -Ted's next two visitors were not so thoughtful of his welfare. Mr. -Carlton and Ralph Clavering, who made the trip unknown to Linda, -arrived about eleven o'clock, and asked that the young man be awakened -at once. - -"I think you had better come back tomorrow, if you want to talk to Mr. -Mackay," said the nurse, noticing that the two men were not any too -friendly towards her patient, for they had not even inquired how he -was. "He mustn't be disturbed." - -"Then we'll wait until he wakes up," replied Mr. Carlton, firmly. "It's -very important that we speak with him as soon as possible." - -"You're from his company?" she asked. - -"No, we're not." - -"Just friends?" - -"No." - -"Then may I ask what reason you have for wishing to see Mr. Mackay at -this particular time?" - -"Business. Very important business. We think he is involved in the -theft of a very expensive necklace." - -"No!" cried the nurse, aghast. It couldn't be true! Why, she had never -seen anybody with franker eyes or a more truthful, honest face than -this young man with the wounded arm! There must be some mistake. - -"Did he act as if he wanted to get out of the hospital as quickly as -possible?" asked Ralph, shrewdly. - -"Why, yes--but that was only natural. All men, especially young men, -are impatient about staying here. Only last week, the day after a man -was operated on for appendicitis, he said he had to get back to his -office--he just had to! You should have heard him rave. We laughed at -him." - -"Well, we'll sit down here in the reception room and read the -magazines," announced Mr. Carlton. "And you send us word when he wakes -up." - -There was nothing further she could do, but somehow she was against -them. Already she was on Ted's side. She didn't believe he was one of -those wicked gangsters you read about in the papers. Why, he was only a -boy! A boy tremendously interested in aviation. She could see his eyes -shine when he talked about flying, and the absolute tragedy he believed -it to be because, a fine plane had been wrecked. It seemed worse to him -than being shot. Poor fellow! He would get well, of course, but was -this going to cripple him so he wouldn't be able to fly? - -About twelve o'clock, when it was time for the lunch trays to be -brought in, he awakened. But the nurse had no intention of informing -those two men in the waiting-room. - -However, they did not wait to be informed. Perhaps Mr. Carlton -suspected that the nurse was against him, or perhaps it was merely that -he knew that he hadn't much longer to stay--it was imperative that he -return to his ranch that night. Anyway, he and Ralph strolled down the -hall and found Ted eating his lunch. They walked right into the ward -without asking the nurse's permission. - -"How d'do, Mackay," said Mr. Carlton, briefly. "How's your wound?" - -"Better, thank you, sir," replied Ted, smiling. He had recognized -Linda's father instantly, and a feeling of joy surged through him. -What a decent thing for the man to do! Probably Linda had heard of his -accident, and asked him to come to inquire for him. Of course he was -totally unaware of the loss of the pearls; he had no idea that the -thief who had taken the two planes had done so for the sole purpose of -stealing a necklace. - -Remembering Ralph, too, he managed to smile at him also. - -"You certainly managed to wreck your plane," remarked Mr. Carlton, not -knowing exactly how to begin. "You're in luck that you weren't killed!" - -"I didn't wreck _my_ plane, sir," corrected Ted, quietly. "It was the -fellow who shot me that wrecked his--or rather the school's, for he had -stolen it from the Spring City Flying School, you know. Then he shot at -me, and flew off in my plane." - -"Oh, is that so?" Mr. Carlton, raised his brows, and his eyes narrowed. -He didn't believe a word of it. - -"And--er--how did you and this thief happen to be together?" he -inquired. - -"I was taking a new plane to Buffalo, and flying low, making some -tests, when I spotted the wreck. So I brought mine down." - -"You knew, then, that he had stolen Miss Clavering's pearls?" - -"What?" cried Ted, starting upright in bed, and then, shocked by the -pain from his sudden movement, dropping back to his pillow. - -"You never heard of a valuable pearl necklace that this young man was -carrying from Spring City to his sister, by my daughter's plane?" -persisted Mr. Carlton. His tone was mocking, insulting. - -"On my honor, Mr. Carlton----" - -"Come now, Mackay," interrupted Ralph. "Why not make a clean breast of -it? We know you--or this other fellow--heard Linda and me discussing -it at the field, and we know you used him as an accomplice. We saw him -hanging around outside----" - -"You are making a big mistake, Mackay," put in Mr. Carlton, "if you -don't confess everything now. I'd be willing to give you another -chance--if you tell us how you can get a hold of that fellow, and -get the necklace back. I know you weren't brought up right--it's not -exactly your fault if you don't know right from wrong----" - -But this was too much for Ted to bear. The man was insulting his -mother! If he hadn't been Linda's father, Ted would have struck him, -crippled though he was. Instead, overpowered by nervous exhaustion, he -let out a terrific scream that at least stopped the abuse. - -"I do know right from wrong!" he cried. "My mother is the finest woman -that ever lived, and she knew what to teach her children! What you say -is a lie!" - -By this time everybody in the ward was looking and listening in -breathless interest, and the head nurse, attracted by the noise, -stopped in the corridor. - -"You men will leave at once," she commanded, from the doorway, and Mr. -Carlton, who was so used to giving orders to others, found that for -once he had to obey. He and Ralph picked up their hats and were gone -without another word. - -After that, Ted was quite ill. His temperature went up, and he became -delirious. The little nurse was both angry and remorseful. It was her -fault, she thought, for not keeping those dreadful men out. Accusing an -innocent boy like her patient! - -The visitors, however, went away dismayed. They hadn't proved a thing. - -"Unfortunately I have to leave tonight right after dinner," said Mr. -Carlton, as Ralph drove him back to his sister's. "I guess we'll have -to turn the whole thing over to the detectives." - -"Well, we'll see what Greer and his men can do," replied the other. -"One good thing, Mackay can't get away from us, crippled as he is. And -the other fellow is such a poor pilot that he'll crash sooner or later." - -"If he doesn't get out of the country first," muttered Mr. Carlton, -dolefully. - -"What does Linda think about the affair?" inquired Ralph, for he had -not seen the girl since her aunt helped her to go to bed the preceding -afternoon. - -"I don't know. I haven't seen her. She was still asleep when I left -this morning." - -"I imagine she believes Mackay guilty. That's what knocked her over so -yesterday." - -"Well, she'll get over that," returned her father, briefly. And he -invited Ralph to come into the house for luncheon. - -The young man, however, had the good taste to decline. It would be a -ticklish situation at best--and besides, Linda ought to have some time -to be alone with her father, if he were leaving so soon. - -"But tell Linda I'll be over after dinner," he added. "The bunch is -planning a canoe party." - - - - -CHAPTER XI - -_An Anxious Day for Linda_ - - -Never in her life did Linda remember being so exhausted as she had been -on the evening of her flight to Green Falls. With her Aunt Emily's help -she had somehow gotten into bed, and eaten the supper of milk-toast -which the maid had brought to her. - -Inside of an hour she was fast asleep, not to awaken until eleven -o'clock the following morning, although her aunt, still a little -worried about her fainting, was in and out of her room three times. It -was upon the last occasion that she finally opened her eyes. - -"Oh, such a good sleep, Aunt Emily!" she murmured, contentedly. - -"Do you feel better, dear?" inquired the other. - -"Just fine, thanks. And hungry." - -"I'll have Anna bring you up some fruit, and then you can have lunch -with us. Or would you rather have a regular breakfast in bed?" - -"Just the fruit, please, Aunt Emily," replied Linda. How kind, how -thoughtful, her aunt always was! No real mother could ever be more so. -"You are so good to me, Auntie!" she cried, impulsively catching the -older woman's hand. - -"And you're always so appreciative, dear," responded her aunt, -affectionately. "I don't think most young girls are like you. They just -expect their parents to do everything. Older people like thanks." - -"I guess everybody likes to be thanked, when they deserve it...." She -jumped out of bed, and slipped into a chiffon negligee that hung over -the chair. "And now I'll hurry with my bath!" - -"Yes, dear--because your father arrived yesterday, after you had gone -to bed. He'll be here for lunch, but he has to leave right after -supper." - -"Is he downstairs now?" asked Linda, excitedly. - -"I don't know whether he has come in or not. He went somewhere with -Ralph this morning." - -"With Ralph?" - -"Yes. Something about the theft, I believe.... Well, dear, I'll send up -some raspberries--or would you rather have cantaloupe?" - -"Cantaloupe, I think, Aunt Emily," replied Linda, as Miss Carlton left -the room. - -Some of the happiness with which Linda awoke seemed to vanish at her -aunt's statement about her father and Ralph. She had forgotten for the -moment about the necklace--that airplane accident, and the shock of -finding Ted Mackay. What could it all mean? Was Ted really involved in -the affair? - -By this time her father must know about him, since her Aunt Emily said -he was with Ralph. What were they up to now? If Ted really were in -league with the thief, would they put him in prison too? She hated the -thought of such a thing--it did not seem possible. Surely, there must -be some explanation. All of a sudden she longed fiercely to see the -boy, to hear the story from his own lips. But he was in a hospital, -unconscious--perhaps dying! - -Anna came in with the cantaloupe as Linda finished her bath, and she -sat on the edge of the bed to eat it. She made a pretty picture, her -soft curly hair damp from the water, her cheeks pink with color after -the cold shower, her charming blue negligee wrapped about her slender -figure. She looked like a lady of leisure enjoying her late breakfast -as if it were a regular thing; not an aviation student who arose every -morning at seven o'clock and put in a hard day's work at school. - -When she entered the living-room, she found her father there waiting -for her. She was all in white now, white linen sports suit, and white -shoes. He held out his arms invitingly, and she leaped gracefully into -his lap. - -"Daddy dear!" - -"Linda!" - -"You didn't mind my not waking up for supper last night, did you?" she -asked, after she had kissed him. "I would have been too tired to talk." - -"Of course not! It was the wisest thing to do. Sometimes when you force -yourself to keep awake after a strain like that, you find you cannot go -to sleep again. But you're rested now?" - -"Fresh as a freshman," she replied, laughing. - -"And I'm mighty proud of my little girl," he added, affectionately, -"for passing your examination and flying all the way up here without -any mishaps." - -Linda's face grew sober, and her eyelids fluttered. - -"But--I didn't, Daddy. You--you heard about the necklace?" - -"Yes. That was too bad, but I can't see that it was in any way -your fault. You'd be a queer flyer if you didn't want to test your -knowledge." - -"Then you don't really blame me?" she asked eagerly. Her father's -approval had always meant so much to her. - -"Of course not. It was the boy's carelessness. He agrees with me, and -so do his father and mother. I went over to see them last night." - -"Ralph hasn't heard anything more, has he?" she asked anxiously. How -she longed for news of Ted! But she was afraid to mention his name to -her father. - -Mr. Carlton, however, answered her unspoken wish. - -"No," he said. "We drove over to see Mackay at the hospital this -morning, and tried to talk to him. But he wouldn't admit a thing. He -became hysterical when we accused him, and the nurse had to ask us to -go away. We're as much in the dark as ever." - -Linda got up quietly and went over to a chair. Somehow she wouldn't sit -on her father's lap when he held such widely different opinions from -her own. But Mr. Carlton did not seem to notice that she had gone. He -sat perfectly still, thinking. - -"You really believe Ted--Mr. Mackay--had a part in the horrible thing?" -she asked, dismally. - -"I don't think there is a doubt of it." - -"But how do you explain the fact that he was shot? Surely, if he and -this thief were working together, one wouldn't shoot the other!" - -Her father shook his head, and smiled indulgently. What a child she -was! What did she know about the wickedness of criminals? - -"I'm sorry to tell you, dear, that in spite of that old proverb about -there being honor among thieves, there isn't much. They are so utterly -selfish and unprincipled that if one finds that his pal is getting the -better of him, he doesn't hesitate to wound--and oftentimes kill--the -other. If Mackay was making off with the necklace, and this other -fellow saw that all his work had been for nothing, one could hardly -blame him for shooting.... No, I'm afraid that doesn't prove a thing." - -Linda sighed; everything seemed hopelessly black for Ted. - -"Will they put him in jail?" she asked. - -"Whom?" - -"Mr. Mackay." - -"Of course, when he is well enough. Our detectives will see to that. -We can't actually convict him till we have more evidence. But we can -force him to tell what he knows about this other thief." - -A lump came into Linda's throat, and she felt as if she couldn't talk -any more. For the time being, even her interest in her plane was gone. -It had brought so much unhappiness--first to Kitty, and now to Ted -Mackay. - -She was thankful when her aunt came into the room, to take her mind -from her morbid thoughts. At the same time, Anna announced luncheon. - -"What are you planning to do this afternoon, dear?" inquired her Aunt -Emily, as she ate her iced fruit-cup. "Because I want part of your -time." - -"Certainly, Aunt Emily. But tell me, have you decided you would like to -go up in the Pursuit?" - -"No, no--nothing like that. I want to live a little while longer, -dear--Green Falls is so pleasant! But, seriously," she added, "I do -want you to do something for me. I want you to try on your costume for -the Midsummer Ball. I had to order it without asking you, dear, for of -course you were too busy learning to fly, and it hadn't come when we -left Spring City. But I think it is very charming--and I hope you will -like it." - -"I'm sure I shall. But, Aunt Emily, I could have worn my flyer's suit, -and saved you all that trouble." - -"You're going to get tired enough of that suit, attractive though -it is. Besides, everybody would know you. And I like you to look -especially pretty--in fluffy, feminine things. I have chosen the -costume of Queen Mab for you." - -"Oh, that will be adorable!" cried Linda, her eyes sparkling with -pleasure, for she too loved dainty things. - -"And may I see you when you are trying it on?" put in Mr. Carlton "Your -mother once wore something like that in a fairy play--and she was very -beautiful. I'd like to see whether you remind me of her." - -"Certainly, Daddy. I'll put it on right after lunch. And then I'll do -whatever you want. Take you up for a ride, if you would like it." - -"I think you're too tired for that," he replied. "No--I'll wait till -the next time I come. Besides, the mechanics ought to have a chance to -go over your motor before you fly it again. Don't forget the promises -you made to me." - -"I won't forget, Daddy. I'll telephone over to the airport this -afternoon." - -"By the way, daughter, have you ever tried jumping with a parachute? -Did they make you do that at school?" - -At his question, Miss Carlton suddenly stopped eating and gazed at the -girl in terror. Surely Linda would not do such a hazardous thing as -that! - -"Yes, Daddy," replied Linda, blushing, for she did not want to say -anything about her jump with Ted Mackay. "Lieutenant Kingsberry himself -was with me. Mr. Taylor didn't want to let me try it--I don't think -he has much use for girls who want to fly--so I went straight to the -Lieutenant. He went up with me himself." - -"Wasn't it a dreadful experience?" asked her aunt, with a shudder. - -"No--not terrible at all. I felt a little queer before the parachute -opened, but after that it was delightful. Just softly floating down -from the skies. I loved it." - -"Well, I'm glad you did it," remarked her father. "Because now you -won't be afraid if you ever have to." - -"I am hoping I won't have to--with my Pursuit. Not that I'd be afraid, -but because it would be the end of my plane. Think of just leaving it -alone, to crash!" - -"It would be too bad, of course--but I could buy you another plane. We -couldn't buy another daughter, could we, Emily?" he asked his sister. - -"Don't talk about it!" begged Miss Carlton, miserably. - -"All right," agreed Linda. "Suppose Daddy tells me what he would like -to do this afternoon--after I try on the costume." - -"Sure you don't want to be with your young friends?" he inquired. - -"I'll have all the rest of the summer for them." - -"Then let's go for a little drive in your roadster. Out to some pretty -road. And come back in time to go swimming with your crowd." - -"I'd love that, Daddy!" she exclaimed. Then, turning to her aunt, "But -is my car here, Aunt Emily? Did Thomas bring it up all right?" - -It was strange indeed, that she had forgotten to ask about it. Always -before she had driven it herself, while Thomas, the chauffeur took -charge of her aunt's limousine. This time he had hired a friend to -drive the other, and brought hers himself. - -"Yes, he drove it up yesterday," replied her aunt. - -The hours that followed would have been very pleasant for Linda, had -she not felt underneath her cheeriness, a growing anxiety about Ted -Mackay. After their little outing, she and her father put on their -bathing-suits and joined the group at the lake. In the diving, the -racing, the polo game, Mr. Carlton proved a match for the young people; -indeed he was the ringleader in suggesting tricks to the more daring -members of the crowd. Even Louise, who had always stood somewhat in awe -of him because he was sterner than her own parents, had to admit that -he was a good sport. - -Ralph, who had not counted upon seeing Linda until evening, was -delighted to find her at the lake, and tried immediately to date her as -his partner for the canoe trip of the evening. But Linda shyly refused, -telling him that her aunt was one of the chaperons, and the only -partner she was willing to have. She shrank from the thought of talking -to Ralph about Ted, or the robbery; she decided not to see him alone. - -Early after supper Mr. Carlton departed in a taxi, and Linda and her -aunt drove over to Louise's bungalow to join the group for the canoe -trip. There were a dozen young people besides themselves, and Mr. and -Mrs. Haydock, too. Six canoes had been chartered. - -"Canoeing will seem kind of tame after flying, I guess," remarked Dot -Crowley, as the young people walked over to the lake. "By the way, how -soon will you take me for a fly?" - -"Anybody might take you for a fly," remarked Maurice Stetson. "You buzz -around so!" - -Linda smiled, but she answered Dot's question immediately. Maybe the -latter was as keen about airplanes as she was herself! You never could -tell. - -"In a few days," she said. "For the time being I want to hold myself -and my plane in readiness to chase that thief--if we ever get the -chance!" - -"You still worrying about those pearls?" inquired Maurice, lightly. - -"Naturally," answered Linda. - -"Well, I command you to forget it. Kitty'll soon get over it. Anybody -as beautiful as Kit is, doesn't need pearls. Besides, when she marries -me, I'll buy her a bigger string!" - -"You mean _if_, not _when_, don't you?" countered Kitty. But she was -evidently in high spirits again, thanks perhaps to the young man who -made no secret of this adoration. - -There wasn't much opportunity for conversation, however. Jim Valier had -brought his mandolin, and from the moment when the canoes pushed off -until they were tied at the opposite side of the lake, where the young -people made a fire and toasted marshmallows, everybody sang. Linda -naturally joined in with the music, but only with her lips. Her heart -was still heavy with the misfortune the preceding day had brought. - -On the way home she made up her mind to telephone the hospital the -following morning. At least she could inquire about Ted--and maybe--oh, -how she hoped it would be possible--she could speak with him, and -hear from his own lips the explanation of his connection with the -unfortunate robbery. - - - - -CHAPTER XII - -_The Search for the Thief_ - - -For the first time in her life, Linda Carlton was thankful that -her father was not at home. He would object to her calling Ted at -the hospital, but now it was impossible to ask his permission. -Nevertheless, she was trembling when she took off the receiver and gave -the hospital's number. - -"Mr. Mackay left last night," the attendant told her, "to go to his -home. He was very much better." - -"Oh!" exclaimed Linda, hopefully. That was good news indeed. But she -wanted to learn more. - -"Would it be possible for me to talk to his nurse?" she inquired. "I -really have something important to ask." - -The attendant hesitated; it was not their custom to call nurses from -their duties to answer inquiries about their patients. But Linda's -voice was so eager that the man decided for once to waive the rule. - -"If you will hold the line a minute," he said, "I will see whether she -is busy. You don't know which nurse it was?" - -"No. Probably one of the ward nurses." - -Linda was forced to wait several minutes, but in the end she was -rewarded. A cheerful girl's voice informed her that its owner had taken -charge of Ted Mackay while he was at the hospital. - -"But are you a friend or an enemy of Mr. Mackay, Miss----?" she -inquired, cautiously. "Carlton is my name," answered Linda. "And I am a -friend." - -"I'm glad to hear that. Mr. Mackay is such a nice boy that it is a -shame he has to have enemies.... Now, what can I do for you?" - -"Tell me what you know of his story," replied Linda. "You see I only -know that he was shot and that his enemies are trying to connect him -with a thief who stole a valuable necklace. I know it can't be true. It -just can't!" She was talking rapidly, excitedly. "I knew if I could see -him he could explain everything. But he's gone!" - -"Yes, he went home last night. To his mother's. But I can tell you -the facts, for he told me the whole story. He was piloting another -plane--for his company--and spotted a wreck. It proved to be this -thief, who evidently wasn't hurt by the crash, and so shot Mr. Mackay -and made off in his new plane. It seems perfectly simple to me. I don't -see how anybody could possibly accuse Mr. Mackay, when he was actually -wounded himself." - -"How does his company feel about it?" asked Linda. - -"Same as we do. He is to go back to his job in a day or two, as soon as -he feels rested." - -"Thank goodness!" cried Linda. "Then everything is O.K. Oh, you can't -know how thankful I am! And so grateful to you!" - -"You're entirely welcome," concluded the young nurse, pleased to have -been of some help. - -Linda began to sing as she replaced the receiver, and she went out -on the porch in search of her aunt. She just had to tell somebody -about Ted's innocence, and the weight which had been taken from her -heart at the nurse's reassuring words. Miss Carlton had not heard any -particulars about the story; indeed she scarcely knew who Ted Mackay -was. So, omitting the parachute jump, Linda began at the beginning and -related everything she knew about him, since that day last April when -she had met him at the Red Cross Fair, and he had promised to take her -up in an airplane. - -"And you don't think he's wicked, just because his father is, do you, -Aunt Emily?" she asked, anxiously. - -"No, of course not, dear. It wouldn't be fair to jump to any such -conclusion as that. Every human being has a right to be judged on his -own merits--not his parents'." - -"That's what I think," agreed Linda. "But Daddy says----" - -"Hello, everybody!" interrupted a gay young voice from the hedge in -front of the bungalow, and, turning about, Linda saw Ralph Clavering -striding up the path. - -"Hello!" she answered, trying to make her voice cordial. Such a -handsome boy, so charming--why did he have to be so unfair to Ted? Poor -Ted, who had never had one-tenth of Ralph's advantages! - -"I've got news!" he cried, as he took the steps two at a time, and -swung into a chair. - -"About the necklace?" demanded Miss Carlton, immediately. - -"Yes. From our detectives. They have spotted a gas-station that sold -a can of gasoline to a red-headed fellow who said he wanted it for an -airplane." - -"Really, Ralph!" exclaimed Linda, scornfully. "You don't call that -news, do you? There must be plenty of red-haired pilots in our part of -the country." - -"I know. But that isn't all. This agent carried the gas over in his car -to a field where the plane was waiting, and he says there was another -chap in it who answered the description of our thief." - -"Was the plane a Waco?" questioned Linda, keenly. - -"The fellow wasn't sure, but when Greer described it, he thought it -was." - -"And is that all?" Miss Carlton's tone showed disappointment. - -"'Is that all?'" repeated Ralph, in amazement. "Why, that's plenty!" - -"I don't see how that will help you to catch your thief," remarked the -woman. - -"But it will! Greer has telephoned the hospital, and located Mackay -today. If he really has gone home, as he said, and hasn't run away, -he'll be put through a third degree that'll make him tell where the -thief is hiding. Because he must be hiding. He couldn't go very far on -the gas in that plane, and all the airports and gasoline stations have -been warned to watch out for him." - -Linda's eyes were blazing with anger. How could Ralph be so prejudiced, -so cruel? - -"But Ted doesn't know any more about that thief than we do!" she -protested, vehemently. "I talked with his nurse this morning--and she -knew all about it. Ted met that thief by accident!" - -"By accident is right," remarked Ralph, with a scornful smile. "But -never mind, Linda--don't you worry about it any more. Let's talk about -the masque ball tonight. You're going with me, aren't you?" - -"I certainly am not!" announced the girl, haughtily. "I wouldn't go -with anybody who could be so unfair----". - -"Children!" interrupted Miss Carlton, distressed at their inclination -to quarrel. She had been so happy about the friendship between Ralph -and Linda--it was eminently right! When her niece did decide to get -married--though she hoped such an event was still far off--she couldn't -imagine any young man who would suit her so well as Ralph Clavering. -Such family! Such social position! And plenty of money! For Miss -Carlton was always afraid that sometime her brother might lose his. -He was so careless about it, he spent it so recklessly upon both his -sister and his daughter. And, though the older woman had enough of her -own securely invested in bonds to take care of her old age, she feared -for Linda. Educated as she had been at that expensive private school, -she was in no way trained to earn a living. She did not dream that -Linda would be only too delighted to go into aviation as if she were a -boy on her own responsibility--like Ted Mackay! - -"If I admit I'm jealous of Redhead, and say I'm sorry," conceded Ralph, -"will you forgive me and go to the dance with me tonight?" - -His beautiful dark eyes were pleading, and for a moment Linda almost -weakened, thinking of all their experiences together, and especially -that moment when they both had thought they were so happy, in regaining -the box that supposedly held the necklace. But she remembered Ted, and -the cruel gruelling he would be subjected to very soon, because of -Ralph's suspicions, and she closed her lips tightly. - -"Not unless you promise to call off your detectives from Ted Mackay," -she pronounced, firmly. - -"But I can't do that--couldn't now, even if I wanted to. It's too late." - -"Then I'm not going to the party with you." - -"But Linda, dear," put in Miss Carlton, going towards the screen door -in her embarrassment at being a witness to the quarrel, "it's too late -to arrange to go with anybody else. All the other girls already have -their partners!" - -"I'll go with you, Auntie!" replied the girl, complacently. "Lots of -girls go with their parents." - -"Very well," agreed her aunt, disappearing into the living-room, with -the unpleasant thought that it was only the unpopular girls who were -forced into such a situation. - -As soon as she had gone, Ralph came over to Linda's chair. But he was -afraid to touch even her hand--she looked so aloof and determined. - -"Linda--after all we've been to each other----" he began. - -She stood up, holding her head high. - -"I think you'll have to excuse me, Ralph," she said. "I'm very busy." - -"All right," he returned, sullenly. "Have it your own way, then! I'll -get Louise to go with me." - -"Very well. Good-by." Her tone was icy; she did not even offer to shake -hands with him. - -Ralph turned and hurried down the steps, angry at himself for pleading -so hard, angrier at her for being so cold. No girl ever thought of -treating him--Ralph Clavering--like that before! The very idea! Most -young ladies would be only too delighted at his invitation! And all for -the sake of a penniless, dishonest, red-headed pilot! For Ralph had not -yet learned that there were some things which he could not buy with his -father's millions. - -So he strode to the nearest telephone booth, and called Louise Haydock -who, although she was flattered by the invitation, did not immediately -accept. She had already promised Harriman Smith, and she so informed -Ralph. - -"Well, there isn't any law that says a girl can't go with two men, is -there?" he demanded. "If she happens to be popular enough! Can't we all -three go together?" - -"Why aren't you going with Linda?" inquired Louise, shrewdly. - -"We've quarreled," he admitted. - -"Then make it up!" she advised. "Pull yourself together, Ralph--and -apologize." - -"I tried to, but it was no good. No, we're off!" - -"Then Linda hasn't any partner?" - -"She says she's going with her aunt," muttered Ralph. - -"Oh, that won't do!" exclaimed Louise. "Wait, Ralph, I'll fix -everything. I'll get Harry to take Linda--he's crazy about her -anyhow--and then I'll go with you." - -"O.K., Lou. You're the little sport!" - -"And fixer," added the girl, to herself, as she bade Ralph good-by, and -called first Harry and then Miss Carlton. - -Louise's suggestion seemed like an act of Providence to the older -woman; it would have been mortifying indeed to her to have Linda appear -at the ball without a masculine escort, as if the girl were a mere -wallflower. Harriman Smith had been most agreeable about the whole -arrangement; anything Louise decided suited him, he told her. And -Linda, too, was delighted with the news. - -She came out of her bedroom while her aunt was talking on the -telephone, dressed in her flyer's suit. - -"Where are you going dear?" inquired Miss Carlton, in anxious surprise. - -"I'm going scouting," explained Linda. "I think I'll fly around--pretty -low--and look for wrecks. I have a hunch that that thief has smashed -his plane by now. He was such a poor pilot, you know I told you." - -"Well, be careful," cautioned her aunt. "But so long as you fly low, I -won't worry." - -Linda smiled to herself. If Aunt Emily only realized how infinitely -more dangerous it was to fly low than high! - -She found her Pursuit in perfect condition, and had it taken to the -runway, where she taxied off without the least difficulty. She climbed -to about fifteen hundred feet, and flew over past the hospital and the -field where the Waco had been smashed. Then she carefully came lower, -using her glasses to watch the ground as she flew. - -The country was open--there were no buildings and few trees, so she -felt safe in keeping within sight of the ground. She was flying along -confidently, when suddenly a long pole seemed almost on top of her. -Swerving sharply upward, she just avoided striking some wires that the -pole was supporting. - -"Oh!" she gasped. "What a lucky break! Suppose I hadn't had a foolproof -plane!" For she knew that her Arrow had been designed especially for -amateurs like herself. - -"Crazy of me to fly so near to the ground!" she exclaimed, in -self-contempt. "After all the warnings I've had! I deserve a crash!" -And she continued to climb upward to safety. - -As she flew onward, steadying her thoughts, she decided that it was -senseless to try to hunt the thief with a plane. If she wanted to look -for him it would be much more reasonable to use her car--or to hike. So -she abandoned that project entirely. - -But as she continued her flight towards Green Falls, it suddenly -occurred to her that she might help Ted in another way. She could -establish his alibi for him--by means of his company! That red-haired -man that the agent claimed he saw with the thief couldn't have -been Ted, and she would take means of proving it. Then, if Ralph's -detectives insisted upon throwing him into prison, there would be a way -to have him released. - -So she flew back to the airport, confident that her morning had not -been entirely wasted, and, to her aunt's relief, she arrived home in -time for lunch. - - - - -CHAPTER XIII - -_The Masque Ball_ - - -The gay young set at Green Falls to which Linda belonged had planned -nothing for that afternoon except the regular swim, for the ball would -be late, and the donning of their costumes would take a good deal of -time. Linda, however, even passed up the swim in favor of a nap, for -she was very tired. Besides, she had no desire to meet Ralph at the -lake or anywhere else. - -Like all the social affairs at this charming resort, the masque -ball--the greatest event of the season, with the possible exception -of the field day at the close--began early. Dinner at the Carltons -was over by half-past seven, and, after assuring herself that Linda's -costume was to her satisfaction, Miss Carlton left the bungalow. She -was a patroness, of course, and she wanted to get to the Casino early, -to pass final judgment upon the decorations and the music. - -Harriman Smith arrived at half-past eight, in a taxi, for as one of -the poorer members of the crowd, he did not possess a car of his own. -Linda, in the filmy dress of the fairy queen, with a crown of golden -stars about her hair, welcomed him into the bungalow. - -"Linda!" exclaimed the young man, in positive awe. "I never saw anyone -so beautiful in my whole life!" - -She smiled shyly, pleased at the compliment. But of course as yet he -had not seen the other girls in their costumes! - -"It's the dress," she explained modestly. "If there's any credit, it -should go to Aunt Emily. She selected it.... I like your costume, too, -Harry. You're Robin Hood, aren't you?" - -"Yes--I'm glad you can recognize me, anyway.... But Linda, seriously, I -just know you'll take the prize for the most beautiful woman!" - -"I didn't know there was a prize." - -"Of course there is. And for the most handsome man. And the best -dancers--and the funniest.... Probably some more I don't remember.... -But I guess you never think much about prizes." - -"I do about some prizes," she admitted. "Cups for endurance flights, -and high altitudes--and things like that!" - -"Naturally--trust you to be up on anything connected with airplanes. I -suppose you'll be winning some of them yourself sometime. But when it -comes to social events----" - -"Well, you're often the same way, Harry," she teased. "Look at the -parties you passed up last winter, just because of your engineering -course!" - -The boy smiled, not at all displeased by the observation, for he was -a youth who took his studies seriously. Unlike Maurice Stetson and -Ralph Clavering, who seemed interested only in the fraternities and the -sports at college, he went there with the idea of working. And he liked -Linda all the better for recognizing his ambition and understanding it. - -"But we oughtn't to stand here talking, forgetting all about your -taxi," Linda reminded her companion. "Why don't you dismiss it, and -take my car?" - -"A queen mustn't drive!" he protested. "And you wouldn't like me to run -your car----" - -"I don't mind you, Harry. You're never careless. It's people like -Maurice that I can't bear to see handle it." - -"I don't blame you one bit," he said, and realizing that she would -really prefer to go in her own roadster, he did as she suggested. - -All the way to the Casino they both carefully avoided any mention of -Kitty Clavering's loss, or, in fact, of anything distasteful--even -the quarrel with Ralph and the change of plans which had thrown them -together as partners. Linda asked him how the different members of the -crowd had paired off, and Harry told her as much as he had happened to -learn at the lake that afternoon. Kit and Maurice were of course going -together, and Dot Crowley and Jim Valier--the smallest and the tallest -members of their set. Sara Wheeler had promised Jackson Stiles, and -Harry seemed to recall that Sue Emery was accompanying Joe Sinclair. He -did not mention Louise and Ralph. - -It was just a little before nine when they reached the Casino, gayly -lighted with Japanese lanterns, and decorated with flowers and -streamers. The wide French windows of the dance hall were all thrown -open, and the huge verandas were as beautifully lighted as the inside -of the Casino. Strains of music floated out from the orchestra, which -was already in place. Upstairs there would be bridge tables for the -older members of the party and the supper would be served on the -roof-garden. - -As the couple entered the wide doors of the Casino, a surging of -pride swept through the young man because of the girl at his side. In -spite of her mask, people must recognize Linda Carlton, so stately, so -lovely, so charming! With what wisdom her aunt had chosen that costume! -The girl was every inch a queen. - -In the dressing-room there was naturally a great deal of excitement, -for the girls were all trying to identify each other. Linda spotted -Louise immediately--dressed as an Egyptian Princess. Her costume was -unusual, daring; she stood out among all the others as a sunflower -might among a bunch of spring blossoms. And of course she wore huge, -odd, earrings. - -"Linda, you're sweet!" she cried, starting forward to kiss her chum, -and stopping just in time as she remembered the make-up on her lips, -and the amount of time she had consumed putting it there. - -"Sh!" warned Linda. "Don't give me away!" - -"I won't, darling. But everybody will know you anyhow. Come on--you -couldn't possibly improve yourself! And we must hurry. I hear them -lining up now for the grand march." - -A laughing, happy group, the girls made their way back to the ballroom -where their partners claimed them. It amused Linda--and yet it hurt -her a little, too--to see Ralph Clavering lead Louise away without even -seeming to notice her. But Harry Smith was right there too, as if to -protect his partner from any unpleasantness. - -The music of the grand march rolled out triumphantly, and the couples -fell into step, circling the big room, and walking past the committee -on the raised platform, whose members were to pass judgment on the -costumes for the awarding of the prizes. As Linda walked demurely at -Harry's side, past this intent, solemn body of men and women, she never -lifted her eyes. She was all the more amazed when, a couple of minutes -later, she heard a childish voice cry out above the music. - -"Does 'ou fink me cute?" and, turning about, Linda recognized Dot -Crowley, dressed as a little school-girl, and actually calling -attention to herself. Of course everybody laughed; you just had -to smile at Dot. And her long-legged partner, Jim Valier, dressed -appropriately as Uncle Sam, looked so out-of-place at her side. - -The costumes were really marvelous; if Linda had not come for any -other reason than to see them, it would have been worth while. There -were several hundred people at the ball the proceeds of which were -given entirely to charity, and though there were naturally many -repetitions--numerous George and Martha Washingtons, Pierrots and -Pierrettes, clowns and gypsies, there were also many unusual ones. -But although she did not realize it, there was no one in that whole -assembly so charmingly beautiful as Linda Carlton. - -The grand march consumed almost an hour, after which the judges -withdrew to make their decisions, and then the dancing began. - -The floor was perfect and the music excellent; Linda fell into step -with her partner and gave herself up to the enjoyment the pastime -always afforded her. Whenever she had a good partner like Harry--or -Ralph--she always experienced a marvelous sensation of floating along -to the strains of the music, a sensation that somehow reminded her -of flying. And then they passed Ralph and Louise, and Linda wondered -whether the former would ask her to dance. - -After that she danced with all the boys she knew, in turn--all except -Ralph. Even when Harry managed a dance with Louise, while Linda was -dancing with a stag, Ralph did not cut in. But this did not spoil her -good time, for she felt that she had been in the right, championing -Ted, even though her father was on the other side. - -Ralph's avoidance of her niece had not escaped Miss Carlton's eyes, -and she sighed. Why was there always some drawback to rich people, she -wondered? But perhaps Ralph would get over his childishness when he -grew older. And in the meantime Linda did not lack for attention. - -Just before the party went up to the roof for supper, the prizes were -awarded. Linda Carlton won first prize for the women--and, ludicrous -as it was, Ralph Clavering, as King Arthur, was selected first among -the men. They walked across the floor together, Linda giving him a shy -smile. To Louise and Harry, and Miss Carlton, who knew about the tiff, -the coincidence was very amusing. - -Two other guests whom Linda did not know were awarded the prizes for -the funniest costumes, and, to their own amazement, Louise and Ralph -were called out as the couple who had given the best exhibition of -dancing. There was no shyness as these two stepped forward. Ralph, -looking roguish, held out his arms and whistled a tune, and as Louise -slipped into them, they waltzed across the floor. - -The supper was gorgeous in every detail: the food was excellent, -the service perfect. Linda felt that she had never been to quite so -magnificent a party before. - -"You do like all this, don't you, Linda?" asked her partner, as they -finished their ice-cream, molded in fancy forms, like small dolls -or figurines, in pastel colors. "You really like parties? Because I -sometimes wonder----" - -"I love them," replied the girl, her eyes shining. "That is, when they -come once or twice a summer, like this. But I would get awfully tired -of them if I had nothing else." - -"But next winter," he reminded her, "when you are a débutante----" - -"I'm going to try not to be," she interrupted. "If I can slide out of -it, without hurting Aunt Emily's feelings. I want to go to a ground -school, and study aviation seriously." - -"You mean make it your life work?" he asked, respectfully. - -"Yes--seriously." - -But it was no time to talk; the music had started again, and everybody -wanted to make good use of the last, best hour of the party. - -And so for all that evening, Linda Carlton was the care-free, popular -girl that her Aunt Emily loved her to be. - - - - -CHAPTER XIV - -_The Flying Trip_ - - -About eight o'clock the following morning while her friends were still -sleeping, Linda Carlton, clad in a bathing-suit and a beach robe, -dashed down to the lake. She thought an early morning swim before -anyone was up would clear her brain and give her a chance to think over -her plans and come to a decision. If possible, she meant to get in -touch with Ted's company before the detectives arrived at his home to -arrest him. - -She had thought, naturally, that she would find the lake deserted, -for everybody ought to be tired out after last night's party. She was -therefore amazed and a little annoyed to see some one else already in -swimming. - -"I'll go in the other direction," she decided, but before she was even -in the water she heard a familiar voice calling her. - -"Linda!" cried Louise Haydock, waving her arms, and starting to swim -rapidly towards her. "Ho--Linda!" - -"Lou!" - -"Yes--me!" shouted the other girl. "But did you say 'Who' or 'You'?" - -"I said 'Lou'!" replied Linda, laughing good-naturedly. It was a relief -to find the other bather was her chum. - -They were within talking distance now, and Louise hurried to the shore. -They sat down together and gossiped about the party, Louise laughing -over Ralph's childishness in trying to keep up the quarrel with Linda. - -"To tell you the truth, Linda," she added, "I'm bored with him. As -a matter of fact, I'm fed up with most of the boys. Harry's all -right, but he has so little time. All the others are so pleased with -themselves. They think we can't get along without them!" - -"Well, can we?" teased Linda. - -"Why not? Except for dances----" - -Linda dug her toes into the sand and smiled. - -"That's the trouble with us. There's always some 'except.' We ought to -make up our minds to stay away from dancing, if we really want them to -get over their superiority complex." - -"It would be pretty dull in the evenings--we'd have to find something -else to take its place...." Louise paused to watch an airplane that -was flying overhead. "Linda!" she cried, abruptly, "I have it! Let's -go off on a trip--just the two of us--in your plane! Be gone a week or -two!" - -Linda grabbed her chum's hands in delight. What a marvelous idea! The -freedom! The adventure of it! And she could link it up with her own -errand to Kansas City. - -"Oh, I'd adore that, Lou!" she exclaimed. "Would you really trust -yourself to me? Honestly? You wouldn't be afraid?" - -Louise put her arm about the other girl and hugged her tightly. - -"Of course I would! I have an awful lot of confidence in you. And I'd -love it!" - -Linda's brow darkened suddenly. For as always, she had to think of -others besides herself. - -"What's the matter?" demanded Louise, watching her companion's face. - -"I am thinking of Aunt Emily--and your mother," answered Linda. -"Wondering whether they'd give their consent--and if they did, would -they worry themselves to death?" - -"Mother would be all right--I can manage her, and Dad too," said -Louise confidently. "And, after all, think of the flying that girls do -now-a-days. A little picnic like this is tame, compared to flying from -England to Australia." - -"Yes, I know--but Aunt Emily's so scary about planes." - -"Well, I tell you what we could do--we could map out our whole trip -beforehand, and decide where we would land each night. We could -probably get the names of the hotels where we would stay. And each -evening after supper, we could telephone the people at home." - -"That's an idea!" agreed Linda, enthusiastically. - -"You wouldn't want to camp out, anyway, would you? They would be sure -to object to that--just two girls alone." - -"No; we'd have to buy a lot of equipment, and I'd hate to load down the -plane. But I'm afraid Aunt Emily would even object to our staying alone -at hotels. You know how particular she is." - -Louise was silent a moment, thinking it was too pleasant an idea to -give up at once. She'd have to devise a way out of their difficulty. - -"I'll tell you," she announced, finally. "We can plan to stop with -people we know each night--or at a hotel where some friend is staying. -We surely can round up some relatives and friends!" - -"That's it!" cried Linda, joyfully. "That ought to be easy! And we can -send telegrams ahead. But the places will have to have some sort of -airports." - -"Oh, most every town has some kind of landing place," said Louise. "I -don't think that need worry us." - -"There's another thing," added Linda, slowly. "I'd want to start today. -Because I must go to Kansas City as fast as I can." And she explained -to Louise her plan about establishing Ted's alibi. - -Louise leaped into the air in her excitement and approval. - -"That's great! You know me, Linda--I always hate to wait about -anything. We can pack our suit-cases and send our wires in an hour if -we hustle. Hurry up! Hop in for a dip, and come right back!" - -Ten minutes later they dashed breathless and wet into the dining-room -of the Carlton bungalow, where Miss Carlton was eating a leisurely -breakfast. In their excitement over their idea they could scarcely -explain it. But at last the older woman understood; she heard them out, -and gave her rather reluctant consent. - -"If you don't make the trip too long," she added. - -"A week?" - -"Isn't four days enough? Then we would have to arrange only two -stopping places--the same one coming back. And I am sure I could do -that very easily." - -The girls agreed, delighted even with a compromise. Nothing they had -ever done promised to be half so thrilling. - -They would fly southwest, making their first stop Kansas City, where -Ted's firm was located. Searching through her address-book, Miss -Carlton remembered that she had a cousin living in a hotel in that city -and she wired her immediately to reserve a room for the girls for that -night, and to chaperon their visit. - -"And then we'll fly to Sunny Hills--as our destination!" cried Louise, -with happy inspiration. "It's in Colorado--where my Aunt Margaret and -Uncle John live! Oh, we'll have no end of fun there!" - -"You're sure they won't mind?" asked Linda. - -"They'll be tickled to death. They have a huge place--sort of a -farm--and six children. Of course they're not children now--several of -them are married--but they always keep open house. We used to go there -a lot when I was a kid." - -"All right--you send that wire," agreed Linda, as she hastily -swallowed some food, "and I'll get ready and go down to my plane, and -see that it's O.K." - -"How about some lunch?" suggested her Aunt Emily. - -"Oh, yes, please--if you don't mind!" - -In an incredibly short time the girls were dressed, their suit-cases -packed, the wires sent, and the lunch in readiness. About half-past -ten, without saying a word of good-by to anyone except Miss Carlton and -Louise's parents, they took off. - -The sky was clear and blue, without even a cloud to threaten them with -fog or storm. It was Louise's first ride in a plane, yet she was not a -bit afraid. She said she had never been so thrilled before. - -"I'm getting the craze, Linda!" she shouted, above the noise of the -motor. "If I only had a suit like yours!" - -She was wearing her riding-breeches and a tan sweater-blouse, with a -close-fitting hat of the same color--a costume, which though neat and -appropriate, had none of the style and charm of her companion's. - -"But you can't wear earrings!" teased Linda, pulling at Louise's ears -to make sure that the other girl heard and understood what she was -saying. - -"In the suit-case!" returned Louise, laughing and pointing towards the -article she named. - -But neither of the girls wanted to try to talk. They were content to -rise higher and higher into the air, to feel the glorious sensation of -smooth flying, knowing that everything was just right. Both of them -began to sing. - -On, on they went, over fields and towns, watching their map and their -instruments, dipping now and then to catch a glimpse of the landscape -below, climbing back to the heights for safety. As the clock on their -plane neared twelve, they realized they were hungry, because breakfast -had been such a sketchy affair for them both. Louise untied the box, -and they ate joyously. Their first meal in the air! - -It was still early when they arrived at Kansas City, and Linda flew a -straight, swift course to the large grounds that were occupied by the -company for which Ted Mackay worked. Without the slightest mishap or -difficulty Linda brought her plane to a perfect landing in the large -area set aside for that purpose. - -A nice-looking young man in a flyer's uniform came to them in welcome. -His face showed no surprise; it was evidently an every-day occurrence -to meet feminine pilots. - -"I would like to speak to the sales-manager," said Linda, after she had -answered his greeting, and made sure that this was the right place. "I -want to make some inquiries about Ted Mackay." - -"All right," agreed the young man. "I'll take you to Mr. Jordan -immediately." - -But when they were introduced, Linda felt suddenly shy. What right -had she, she asked herself, to pry into Ted's affairs? She wasn't a -relative--or even a friend, if she adhered to her father's command. So -it was Louise who came to the rescue, as she always did in emergencies, -and proceeded to take charge of the interview. - -"You see," she explained, "the people who had that valuable necklace -stolen are pretty much perturbed over the whole affair--and naturally -they hired detectives. Well, Mr. Jordan--you know what detectives are! -They bungle everything." - -"Yes?" remarked the man, looking smilingly from one girl to the other, -thinking that they, too, were rather excited. - -"And just because they found Mr. Mackay by the stolen plane, and -because they located a gasoline agent who swears that he sold gas to a -red-haired man for that same plane earlier in the day, they're sure Mr. -Mackay is a thief." - -"And they're going to his home--to arrest him!" put in Linda, now more -at ease. - -"But they can't prove anything," Mr. Jordan assured them, calmly. - -"Oh, but they say they'll put third degree on him, or whatever it is, -and force him to a confession. And--and--think of his poor mother!" - -"But what do you girls want me to do?" he asked. "I don't see how I can -stop them!" - -"We just want you to establish his alibi," explained Louise. "Write -down everything Mr. Mackay did from early morning till the time he -started off in that new plane." - -"O.K.!" exclaimed Mr. Jordan, a light breaking over his face. "That's -easy! We had a salesmen's meeting at the Winton Hotel, and lunched -together. I can swear Mackay was there--and so can half a dozen others. -We came back here about three o'clock, and Mackay was looking over -the plane and studying his maps for about half an hour. Then he took -off--for Buffalo." - -"That's just what we want!" cried Linda, and Louise added, "wonderful!" -and squeezed the elderly man's hand. He smiled at her as if she were -his daughter. - -"And will you dictate that to a stenographer, and send a copy to Ted by -air-mail?" urged Linda. - -"Certainly," he agreed. - -"And now," added Linda, "will one of your mechanics look over my plane -and put it away till tomorrow? We want to get our suit-cases, and taxi -to my cousin's hotel." - -So, half an hour later, when the girls were making themselves known -to the elderly couple who were expecting them, they spoke joyously of -the perfect success of their first day's adventure, but they did not -mention their mission on Ted Mackay's behalf. - - - - -CHAPTER XV - -_Sunny Hills_ - - -The girls' visit with the elderly couple at the hotel at Kansas City -was restful, but uneventful. As soon as they arrived, Linda telephoned -to her aunt over long distance, and made a satisfactory report. Dinner -and the movies occupied their evening. - -Early the next morning they bade their host and hostess a temporary -farewell--for they were scheduled to return in a couple of days--and -took a taxi to the airplane company where their Arrow was being kept. - -"It's a little cloudy, girls," observed Mr. Jordan as he came over to -meet them. "But I don't think it will actually storm before night. Are -you going far?" - -"To a place called 'Sunny Hills'," replied Louise, producing her map. -"In Colorado." - -The man studied it for a few minutes, and then pointed out their best -course. - -"And your plane's O.K.," he added. "She certainly is a neat little -boat." - -"I'm fond of her myself!" replied Linda, her eyes shining as they -always did when she spoke of her most precious possession. - -"And have you had any word from Mr. Mackay?" asked Louise. - -"Yes. He's coming back today," answered Mr. Jordan. "I sent a plane for -him, with the letter you suggested. The pilot wired last night that he -arrived safely, and both men would be back on the job tomorrow." - -"He didn't say anything about the detectives?" - -"Not a word." - -"Then everything must be all right!" breathed Linda, with a sigh of -relief. - -"Well, good-by," concluded Mr. Jordan, as the girls stepped into their -plane. "And fly carefully. That's rather lonely country you're passing -over." - -"But the skies are safe!" returned Linda, as she started her motor. - -It was indeed a more desolate stretch of land than any they had flown -over before. The girls noticed this as they sped on, the miles piling -up in rapid succession. - -This time they carried no lunch, for they had hesitated to ask at the -hotel, and as the hours passed, they grew very hungry. Moreover, the -sky was so cloudy that the sun was totally obscured, and they had to -be guided entirely by instruments. Two or three times they seemed to -get off their course, and it was almost five o'clock when they finally -landed at an airport and inquired their way to Sunny Hills. - -"It's about five miles north," they were told. "But wouldn't you rather -leave your plane and taxi over?" their informer suggested. - -"No, thanks," replied Linda. "Because we want to have our plane there, -to use it if we need it, and to show to our friends. But we would love -to have something to eat, if you can tell us where there is a stand for -refreshments." - -While the man was leading them to a sandwich booth, a mechanic came up -and filled the plane with gas, and at Linda's request, looked it over -hastily. Fifteen minutes later the girls took off again, having been -assured that there was a field for landing at Sunny Hills, because, it -seemed, the owner--or possibly the owner's son--had a plane. - -As they descended over the field in back of the huge country house -that was the home of the Stillmans the girls observed numerous people -running out of the doors and from the porches to be on hand to welcome -them. By the time they had landed, Louise counted seventeen. - -"Hello, everybody!" she shouted, as the noise of the motor died. "Get -our wire?" - -"Surest thing!" answered a man of about thirty, tall and heavily-built, -and smiling. - -An elderly woman was pressing through the throng, holding out her arms -to Louise. - -"Aunt Margaret!" cried the girl, rapturously. "I'm so glad to see you! -And I want to introduce my chum--Linda Carlton." - -"I am more than delighted to meet you, my dear," said Mrs. Stillman, -pressing Linda's hand--"I am _proud_ to meet you!" - -"Thank you," murmured the girl, her eyelids fluttering in -embarrassment, for she felt that as yet she had done nothing to merit -praise. - -"And now I'll tell you everybody's name," continued the older woman. -"Though I know you can't possibly remember them." - -She proceeded to introduce her friends and her children--the latter all -younger than Roger, the man who had first spoken to them, and evidently -her oldest son. There were four small children among the group, two of -them grandchildren of Mrs. Stillman. - -"I want you girls to use my hangar," offered Roger, immediately. "My -plane's away getting repaired. So shall I put yours away for you?" - -"Oh, thanks!" replied Linda, gratefully. "It's so nice to find another -pilot--to do the honors, and the work!" - -As the happy, noisy group walked with the two girls back to the house, -they asked all sorts of questions at once, about the trip, the plane, -the relatives back home. Louise and Linda answered as fast as they -could, but finally gave up, laughing in their confusion. - -"Now everybody stop talking!" commanded Mrs. Stillman, and though her -tone was jovial, Linda could see at once that she meant what she said, -and that she was used to being obeyed. - -"Our brave flyers must be awfully tired, and this is no way to treat -them, before they have even had a drink of water. Elsie," she nodded to -a girl about Linda's age, "I want you to take the girls to their room, -and I'll send up their suit-cases and some iced tea. And then they are -going to have peace until dinner-time!" - -"Oh, Aunt Margaret, we're not so tired," protested Louise. Still, the -thought of a cool shower, iced tea, and a few minutes for a nap was -very pleasant. - -Elsie and Louise, who had been great friends when they were younger, -spending several long, happy summers together, were both delighted -at the chance of renewing their friendship. Linda, too, found Elsie -charming, and the three girls were soon chatting merrily over their -iced tea. - -"I want you to tell me the news of your family first," said Louise. -"And begin in order, so Linda can get them straightened out. I -mean--which ones are married, and which have children, and all that -sort of thing." - -"Yes, do," urged Linda. "I only know Roger--because he is a pilot--and -you, by name." - -A knock at the door interrupted them, and when Elsie answered it, two -young men brought in the girls' suit-cases. - -"The twins," explained their sister. "Dan and David. It really isn't -hard to tell them apart, if you look closely." - -"I remember!" cried Louise. "Your hair is curlier, isn't it, Dan? And -David has a broken finger." - -"Righto," agreed the latter, holding up his finger for inspection, and -keeping his eyes on Linda. He had fallen for her charms already. - -"You're excused," said Elsie, tersely. - -"With many thanks," added Linda, graciously. - -"Now begin over again," urged Louise, when the boys had gone. She began -to open the suit-cases and to pull out the negligees, so that they -could be perfectly comfortable. - -"Well," continued Elsie, settling back in the pretty cretonne-covered -chair that matched all the furnishings of the lovely, yet simple -bedroom, "you know Aunt Margaret, of course. Those other two elderly -women are friends--no need for you to learn their names. - -"Of us, Roger is the oldest--he's thirty-one--and he isn't married. -He's had dozens of girls, but I think he loves being a bachelor. -He goes in for all kinds of racing--motorboat, automobile, and now -airplane. And he adores young girls. You want to watch your step, -Linda, for we're always expecting him to marry all of a sudden -sometime. To somebody a whole lot younger!" - -Linda smiled, and Louise shook her head knowingly. - -"Linda's wise," she remarked. - -"And Anita's the next oldest," went on Elsie. "I guess you didn't -recognize her, did you, Louise? The stout woman, with those two -children clinging to her." - -"No, I didn't!" exclaimed her cousin. "But remember, it's been ten -years since our family were here. I do recall her now--she was a High -School graduate that summer. And so thin!" - -"Well, she's fat now, and so is her husband. You'll see him -tonight--they're spending the summer here. They have two kids.... The -twins come next--they're twenty-three, and then my other married sister -Jennie. You remember Jen?" - -"Naturally!" - -"And I'm the baby!" concluded Elsie, cheerfully. - -"But does that account for that whole crowd?" asked Linda. "Lou said -she counted seventeen." - -"Oh, the others were gardeners, and gardeners' children, and servants. -There are twelve of us at dinner every night, with father and Anita's -husband. And you girls will make fourteen." - -"I always thought it would be wonderful to have a big family," sighed -Linda. "My aunt and I live all alone, except once in a while when my -father comes home." - -"All the more reason why you should spend a couple of weeks with us!" -urged Elsie, cordially. - -"We'd love to, but we can't," answered Louise. "But we'll promise to -come oftener, now that Linda has her Arrow." - -"And that reminds me," put in Linda, "that we must call our folks." - -Elsie handed her a telephone, which was on a little table beside the -bed, and made her excuses and left them alone. It was almost time to -dress for dinner. - -Before the girls had answered the summons of the gong, the rain, which -had been threatening all day long, came in torrents. But it did not -dampen the spirits of the happy group that was gathered about the long -table. - -David Stillman, a starry-eyed young man with a serious expression, had -managed to persuade his mother to let him sit next to Linda on her -left, while Roger, the eldest, had naturally preëmpted the place on her -right. The younger man, it seemed, believed her to be the ideal girl he -had always dreamed of. He tried almost immediately to make her promise -to play tennis with him, to go canoeing and swimming. Roger, on the -other hand, saw two days' fun ahead of him, playing with the girls and -the plane, and he made up his mind not to give his younger brother a -chance. - -Sizing up Linda immediately as a girl seriously interested in aviation, -he began to talk on that subject, shutting out poor David completely. -He told her about his plane, and the trips he had made, and the races -he had won. - -"But you are a new pilot, aren't you?" he asked her. - -"Yes, why?" she asked. "Did I do anything wrong?" - -"No, indeed! You fly like an old-timer. But what I mean is, you haven't -gone in for any competitions yet, have you? Air-derbys, endurance -flights--height records?" - -"No, I haven't had time." - -"But you will?" - -"I don't know. I want to do something. But just what...." - -"You have a wonderful opportunity," continued Roger. "Because you have -ambition, and time, and youth--and enough money to back you." He paused -to eat a generous slice of roast-beef. Unlike David, who was staring -moodily at his plate and playing with his food, Roger ate with enormous -appetite. "You see, the trouble with most of us is, that we haven't the -time and the money. And the very rich are seldom ambitious." - -"I am hoping to do something next year," Linda announced, slowly. "But -not until I study some more." - -"Wise girl!" was his comment. "I wish my kid brother--Dan--were of the -same opinion. I can hardly keep him out of my plane--and he hasn't even -a license. He's a perfect pest." - -"Won't you please talk to me?" entreated a voice on the other side, and -turning her head, Linda realized for the first time how she had been -neglecting David. - -"I'll give you all the rest of the dinner-time!" she said, laughingly. -But the conversation at once became so general that she did not have a -chance to keep her promise. - -After dinner the rain abated, but nobody went out except Dan, who said -he was always looking for adventure. But in such a crowd, they did -not miss him; the young people danced and sang and played pool and -ping-pong in the game-room. - -They were just finishing some lemonade and cake which Mrs. Stillman had -brought out for their refreshment, when a telegram arrived for Linda. -Her mind flew instantly to Ted Mackay, wondering whether he had been -arrested in spite of all her efforts to help him. - -But the news proved worse than anything she had expected. It was from -her aunt. - -"Your father seriously hurt. Fly to ranch at once." - -Helplessly, she handed the telegram to Mrs. Stillman, who read it aloud -to the others. Heroically, Linda managed to keep from crying. - -"Thank Heaven for the Pursuit!" cried Louise, who had her arms about -her chum. "We'll get there in no time." - -"Let me go with you," suggested Roger. - -"No--thank you," stammered Linda, clinging to Louise. "I need Lou--more -than anybody." - -"Well, then, I'll map out your course for you," offered the young man. -"It's strange country to you?" - -"Yes. I've never been to this ranch before. Dad had another one that -I used to visit, when I was a child." And she gave Roger the exact -location. - -Ten minutes later, with their arms still entwined, Linda and Louise -went up to their room, having exacted a promise from Mrs. Stillman to -waken them at five o'clock the following morning. - - - - -CHAPTER XVI - -_The Accident_ - - -At seven o'clock the following morning, after eating the hearty -breakfast upon which Mrs. Stillman insisted, the girls entered the -Pursuit, and taxied off, waving farewell to Elsie, Roger, and their -hostess. Of the large family, only these three--and the cook--had -risen in time to say good-by. Even David had overslept; but his eldest -brother was on hand to help the girls get their start. - -Fortunately, the rain was over, and both Linda and Roger believed that, -barring mishaps, the flyers should reach their destination early in the -afternoon. With this hope, both girls kept their spirits high; they -refused to worry about Linda's father until they saw for themselves. -For Miss Carlton was likely to look upon the dark side of things, and -it was probable too that the help at the ranch were frightened by the -accident to their employer. - -Tears of gratitude came to Linda's eyes when she saw the enormous lunch -which Mrs. Stillman had been able to provide at such short notice, and -she did not know how to thank the kind woman or her son. So she merely -smiled gratefully, and waved good-by. - -Louise kept the map of their course in her lap, and for two hours they -flew on, making no attempt to talk, but every once in a while pressing -each other's hand in sympathy and affection. - -As the sun was growing hotter and higher in the sky, Linda was -beginning to wonder whether they were not somewhat off their course. -She examined the map. - -"We ought to be nearing that town!" she shouted, pointing to a spot -which Roger indicated by a large dot on the map. "And I don't believe -that we are." - -"Fly lower!" suggested Louise. "Let's see!" - -Cautiously the young pilot descended, but though both girls looked -eagerly, there were no roofs or other evidences of a town. An almost -continuous expanse of shrubbery seemed to cover the ground, and Linda -did not care to land. - -So she went higher again, and pointed her plane south, trusting that -they were right. - -For two hours more they continued to fly without seeing any of the -landmarks for which they were so eagerly watching. Afterwards Linda -remarked that she believed they had been going in a circle. - -The sun was almost directly overhead now, and both girls were feeling -hungry, for their breakfast, though substantial, had been an early one. -They were just considering opening their box to eat, when Linda noticed -a queer noise in the motor. - -"Something's wrong, Lou!" she shouted, trying to smile as if she were -not worried. "We'll have to land." - -"Here?" gasped Louise, in horror. - -"Yes. Watch the ground! We must find a good place." - -Louise was gazing about at the sky and the horizon, when, turning -around, she happened to glance at her companion's face. A set look had -come into Linda's eyes, her lips were rigid. Uneven, yet deafening, -was the threatening sound of the motor. Suddenly it let off a terrific -explosion. - -"Will we be killed?" screamed Louise, hoarsely. - -Linda did not try to answer. She needed every ounce of brain power, of -energy for the test that was ahead of her. She was working frantically -with the joystick. So Louise too, kept quiet, and looked over the side -of the plane--and prayed. - -At first it seemed they were dropping terrifically; but gradually, -frightened though she was, she could feel that some safety device was -taking hold. The speed was lessening. Down, down they went, but more -gradually now. - -And then they were close enough to the ground to see it. A woods of -stumpy trees stretched under them, but over to the right was a field. -Would Linda be able to guide the plane there, or must they be dashed -against the tree-tops, to meet a sickening death? - -How would it feel to be dead, Louise wondered. And oh, her poor mother -and father! Even in those few seconds, it seemed as if her whole life -flashed before her, and although she was really a very sweet girl, she -believed herself a monster of ingratitude. Not a bit like Linda--who -was always thinking of her Aunt Emily and her father! - -Linda, on the other hand, had no time for any such thoughts. She was -working as she had never worked before, guiding her stricken plane. -And--miracle of miracles--they were passing the tree-tops! They were -over a field of weeds. - -"Thank God!" cried Louise, reverently. - -"Wait!" whispered Linda, not sure yet that they were safe. - -The landing was not easy. The plane came down and hit the ground and -bounced up again. Suppose it should pancake? Linda held her breath, -suffering greater agony than Louise, who knew less of the dangers. But -in a moment the valiant little Arrow came to a stop, in the shrubbery. - -In a rapture of relief and thanksgiving, Louise grasped Linda and -kissed her, while the tears ran down the young pilot's face. For a -moment the girls sat thus in silent embrace, each too filled with -emotion to speak. - -"Come, let's get out, Lou," said Linda, finally, and shakily they both -stepped from the plane. - -"I wonder where we are," remarked Louise, trying to make her voice -sound natural. - -"We'll get out our maps and study the situation. But first let's eat. -I'm simply famished. It must be noon at least." - -They found upon consulting Louise's wrist-watch that it was ten minutes -of one. - -Resolutely deciding to be cheerful, they opened the hamper which -Louise's Aunt Margaret had packed. What a delicious lunch! - -There was a whole roast chicken, and tiny dainty lettuce -sandwiches--at least a dozen of them. Pears and cherries, and lemonade -in a thermos bottle. And a beautiful little layer cake evidently baked -just especially for them, though how the cook had managed it, they -had no idea. They spread out the paper cloth and attacked the food -ravenously. - -"It looks pretty desolate around here," remarked Louise, as she nibbled -at a chicken leg. "I don't see a house in sight." - -"Or a road either, for that matter," returned Linda. "I wish we could -get to a telephone--and send a call for assistance." - -They ate silently for a while. How good the food tasted! In spite of -their distress and worry, both girls enjoyed that lunch. - -"Have you any idea what is wrong with the plane?" asked Louise, as she -broke off a piece of chocolate cake. "It was all right yesterday." - -"Yes. That mechanic at the airport gave it a hasty examination. Funny -he didn't notice anything so serious as this.... Louise, do you suppose -that Roger could have done anything to it?" - -"No," answered Louise, thoughtfully. "No; I think Roger knows what he's -about. But I have an idea, Linda." - -"What?" - -"Do you remember hearing a plane very close to the house when we were -playing ping-pong last night?" - -"Yes. I thought it was the air-mail." - -"So did I. But I believe now it was the Pursuit--with Dan piloting!" - -"Dan Stillman?" - -"Yes. He's a regular daredevil. And you know Roger won't let him fly -his plane." - -A pained look came into Linda's eyes, as if she herself had been -mistreated. - -"Oh, Lou, that seems awful," she said. "He wouldn't do a thing like -that, would he?" - -"He must have. Remember, he went out right after supper. And he's so -conceited. He wouldn't think he could hurt it. But I'll tell you how -to find out--look at the gas. You remember you had her filled at that -airport." - -Holding their cake in their hands, both girls dashed excitedly back -to the plane and looked at the dial which indicated how much gasoline -was left. And, sure enough, the supply was running low! Too low to be -accounted for by the flying they had done that morning. In fact, it was -almost gone. - -"You're right!" cried Linda. "Oh, Lou, now we're in a worse pickle than -ever. We'll never get to Daddy!" The tears ran down her cheeks. - -"Don't!" urged her chum, putting her arms around the other girl. -"Don't give up yet! We'll find somebody--on some road--who will send a -mechanic to us. And we'll be at the ranch before night!" - -"I hope so!" replied Linda, bravely trying to keep up her courage. - -They went back to the spot where their lunch was spread--luckily there -was plenty left for supper, in case they needed it--and packed the -remainder again. Then, arm in arm, they set out in quest of a road. -They walked in an easterly direction; that much they knew from the sun. - -What they saw appeared to be a flat country, without even any fences or -signs of cultivation. Gazing off in the distance, they could faintly -distinguish the outline of a house--but it might be five miles away, or -it might be fifteen. Or it might not be a house at all; perhaps just -some abandoned building or mill. - -For half an hour they walked aimlessly onward, till they finally -reached a dirt road. - -"This is encouraging," said Louise, hopefully. "Let's drop down and -wait here till something passes. We don't want to get too far from the -plane--if we get out of sight, we might not be able to find our way -back." - -They sat down on some moss by a small tree and consulted the time. It -was half-past two. - -Everything was extremely still. No noise of motor or traffic anywhere. -No voices. So strange after the places they were used to, for even -Green Falls was noisy. And the birds were quiet, too--or perhaps there -weren't many, for there were no big trees. - -Linda yawned. "I'm so sleepy." - -"Take a nap," suggested Louise. "You deserve one!" - -"Hardly fair," returned the other. "Aren't you sleepy too?" - -"Not so sleepy as you are. Go ahead! I'll wake you if anything comes -along." - -"And suppose nothing does?" - -"Then I'll wake you anyway at three o'clock. We'll have to strike out -in some other direction." - -So Linda curled up and went to sleep, and Louise, yawning, wondered how -she could possibly manage to keep awake. The whole atmosphere was so -drowsy--and there was nothing to do. - -"If only there were a place to swim," she thought, regretfully. "Cold -water would make me a different girl!" - -But there wasn't any water at all, as far as she knew; indeed, she and -Linda didn't dare wash in the small supply they carried with them. For -they might need it for drinking. - -She never knew how it happened, but soon she too was peacefully asleep. -For two whole hours both girls slept the dreamless sleep of fatigue. -Then, at a quarter of five they were suddenly awakened by the rattle of -an old, tumble-down cart, pulled by a haggard horse. The girls sat up -with a start, and looked at each other and laughed. - -Jumping to her feet in an instant, Louise ran hastily towards the -driver. He was staring at them with great curiosity. - -"We have been in an airplane accident, and we want to get to a -telephone--" began Louise. - -But the man only shook his head and grinned. - -"Nicht versteh'," he replied, helplessly. - -"He's a foreigner," said Louise, turning back to where Linda was -standing. "A German, who doesn't understand English." - -"I can speak German," said Linda. "At least, I had some, Freshman year. -Let me try him!" - -But already he was driving away. - -"Wo ghen Sie?" called Linda. "Warte!" - -He stopped driving, evidently amazed at her words, and pointed to the -road ahead of him. - -Encouraged by this display of intelligence, Louise jumped up on the -cart, and waved her arms in the direction of the airplane, in the field -half a mile away. - -"We want _help_!" she cried. Then, turning to Linda, "What's the German -word for help?" - -"I don't know," answered the other girl. "But I think he understands. -If he does meet anybody, I think he'd send them to us." - -So Louise climbed down again, and waved good-by to the man as he -continued on with his cart, and, faintly encouraged, the girls went -back to the plane to eat their supper. - - - - -CHAPTER XVII - -_The Lost Necklace_ - - -Many thoughts raced through Linda's mind, as she and Louise sat beside -the airplane, nibbling at their frugal supper. For this time, they had -decided to eat sparingly; nobody knew how long they might have to stay -there, without any more food. - -But all of Linda's thoughts were regrets. Regret that her father had -met with an accident, regret that Dan Stillman had borrowed her Arrow, -regret that she was unable to locate the trouble herself and repair it. - -Louise, with her usual practical cheerfulness, interrupted these gloomy -meditations. - -"We have three good hours of daylight left, Linda," she announced, -glancing at her watch. "To try another direction. There must be a real -road around here somewhere--where automobiles go. Texas isn't the end -of the world." - -"If we're actually in Texas!" returned Linda. "It may be Oklahoma, for -all we know." - -"But Oklahoma has roads, too. Come on, finish your cake! We must -hurry." - -Taking their coats along, for the night gave promise of being cooler, -the girls set off in the opposite direction from the one they had -taken that afternoon. This time they had to go right through the -shrubbery--the dangerous shrubbery which had threatened disaster to -their landing. - -"This is awful!" exclaimed Louise, pausing to pull a brier from her -sweater. "There can't be any road here." - -"On the contrary, I think we'll be more likely to find one, once we get -through this. The very fact that we can't see beyond is hopeful." - -"That's true," admitted Louise, starting on again. - -They walked for some time, carefully picking their way through the -undergrowth, thankful that they were wearing breeches. At last they -came to a more open space, and stopped to look about them. - -"No road!" exclaimed Louise, in disappointment. - -"But that looks like a stream over there, Lou--between those two -banks!" cried Linda. - -"Oh, if it only is! Then we could have a swim!" - -"If we ought to take the time." - -"I think we might as well, Linda, because it's going to get too dark -for us to take a chance getting lost tonight. Let's have our swim and -go back to the plane to sleep. Then tomorrow morning we'll start to -hike--if we have to go all the way to the ranch on foot!" - -"We won't have to do that, because we have plenty of money," Linda -reminded her. "Once we get back to civilization, our dollars will be -some good. And, even if we have to leave the Pursuit, and never see her -again, it would be worth it to get to Daddy!" - -Having come to this decision, the girls hurried rapidly towards the -stream, and then, taking off their flyers' suits carefully, under cover -of their coats, in case there should be some human being around, they -both plunged in. - -The water felt cold, and oh, so refreshing! They swam happily for some -minutes, forgetful of all their worries, in the joy of the invigorating -pastime. - -When they had gone some distance, Linda suddenly realized how swift the -current was, out in the middle of the creek. Already they were several -hundred yards downstream. - -"Lou!" she called. "We must be careful of this current!" - -Her chum did not answer, and Linda suddenly experienced another -sickening moment of dread. Suppose Louise were unconscious! She turned -around, but she could not see the other girl. - -However, the creek turned sharply at this point, and Linda reassured -herself with the hope that Louise was beyond the bend. She swam in to -where it was shallow enough for her to stand up, and cupped her hands -and called. - -"Lou! Oh, Lou!" - -"Yes!" came the instant reply. "Around the bend." - -Linda hurried around the cliff which separated her chum from sight, and -there, to her amazement, she beheld a shattered airplane. The wings and -the propeller were gone--had evidently been floated out on the stream -and swept away on the current, and the plane itself was smashed to -pieces. Louise was standing beside it, holding a man's coat in her hand. - -"Ye gods!" cried Linda, shocked by the horror of such a wreck. "How -terrible!" - -But Louise was searching the pockets of the coat madly, excitedly, as -if she had no thought for the man who had been killed. - -"Look, Linda!" she cried triumphantly. "I had an inspiration it might -be your thief! I've got it!" - -"What?" demanded the other. - -"The necklace!" - -Both girls held their breath while Louise steadied her nervous fingers -and opened the box--a cheap pasteboard affair, totally unlike the -original one in which Kitty Clavering's pearls had been sold. To -Linda's unbelieving eyes, she held up the costly jewels. - -Louise dropped down on the ground, absolutely overcome with emotion, -and Linda sat beside her, examining the necklace for herself, as if she -could not believe her eyes. But there was no doubt about it; it was the -real thing this time. - -"That man didn't know much about flying," remarked Linda, finally. "I -suppose, though, he realized that his only chance of escape lay in -getting over the border.... But Lou, if his coat is here, why isn't he?" - -"He probably took off his coat before anything happened. But his body -may be somewhere in the wreckage. I--I'd just as soon not see it, -wouldn't you, Linda?" - -"Of course not," replied the other, with a shudder of repulsion. "Come -on, Lou, let's go. But don't let's try to swim with that necklace. I'd -rather walk." - -"So would I." - -Both girls scrambled to their feet, and started back towards their -coats. Suddenly Linda stopped, horrified by what she saw. Over in a -little cove, away from the main stream, were not one, but two bodies, -half floating, half caught on the shore by the weeds and underbrush. - -"It's the thief, all right," she managed to say. "And I wonder who the -other man was." - -Louise squinted her eyes; she had no desire to go any closer, and in -the fading light it was hard to see clearly. - -"He looks--as--if--he had red hair," she announced, slowly. "That would -explain about the gasoline agent, who tried to put the blame on Ted -Mackay." - -"Of course!" cried Linda. "Isn't it all horrible? As if any necklace -could be worth this! I wonder when it happened." - -"Probably last night, during the storm. That would be too much for an -inexperienced flyer." - -"Of course." - -The girls picked up their clothing and dressed hurriedly, reaching the -plane just as it was beginning to get dark. - -"Let's make a fire," suggested Linda, "and tell each other stories till -we get sleepy. We mustn't try to go to sleep too early on this hard -ground, especially after having had naps." - -"Are you scared at all, Linda?" asked Louise. - -"No. What of? Ghosts--or tramps?" - -"Both." - -"Well, I'm not afraid of tramps or robbers because I have my -pistol--Daddy made me promise to take it with me on all my flights--and -I'm just not going to let myself be worried about ghosts. After all, -those two dead men deserved their fate, didn't they? And I mean to -forget them. Now, tell me a story!" - -"What about?" - -"Some nice new novel you've read that I haven't." - -So Louise began the story of "Father Means Well"--a very amusing book -she had just finished, and the girls kept their camp-fire going until -eleven o'clock. Then, when both were certain that they were sleepy, -they spread out Louise's raincoat on the ground, and, crawling close -together, put Linda's on top of them. Almost instantly they were -asleep, forgetful of accidents and thieves, not to waken until the sun -was brightly shining again. - - - - -CHAPTER XVIII - -_In Pursuit of the "Pursuit"_ - - -From the moment that Ted Mackay had been shot by the thief who stole -Kitty Clavering's necklace, everything had gone wrong for him. Not only -had he been wounded and forced to lose time from work, but the new -plane, which was worth thousands of dollars to his company, had been -stolen. And, in view of the fact that the robber was not a licensed -pilot, it was very unlikely that the plane would stand the test, even -if it were ever recovered. - -Then, added to his other troubles, Ted had been accused of being in -league with the thief! Ralph Clavering believed he was guilty, and so -did Mr. Carlton. But what worried him most was whether Linda thought so -too. - -The little nurse at the hospital had been a great comfort, believing in -Ted as she did, implicitly, from the first. But when he had gone home, -he said nothing to his mother of the suspicions aroused against him. -The good woman had enough to worry about, with the unhappy life she -led, and the constant menace of his father's returning in trouble or -in need of money. But Ted's conscience was clear; all the detective's -in the world could not make him a criminal when he knew that he was -innocent. - -He wasn't surprised, however, when two men arrived at his home the day -after he had reached it. Two plainclothes men, with warrants for his -arrest. - -His first anxiety was of course for his mother. If she should believe -that he was following in his father's footsteps! Why, at her age, and -after all she had been through, the shock might kill her! Her one -comfort in life had always been that her three children were fine, -honest citizens, that her teaching and training had been rewarded. - -Fortunately when the detectives arrived, she was out in the back yard, -working in her little garden. But what could Ted do? To argue with -these men would only arouse her attention, bring her hurrying to the -front porch to see what was the matter. For she seemed to live in daily -fear of trouble between her husband and the law. - -"But you have no evidence to arrest me," Ted objected, quietly, in -answer to the man's brusque statement. - -"You are wrong there! We have evidence. The gasoline agent, who sold -you gas for the plane. The description fits you perfectly--a great big -fellow, with red hair. Besides, you were caught in the very place where -the other thief escaped." - -"But I had nothing to do with it! I can prove it!" - -"How?" - -"By other men in the company----" - -"Are they here?" interrupted the detective, with a hard, sneering look. - -"No--but----" - -"Then you will come with us until such time as you prove your -innocence. One of us will go inside with you while you get whatever -things you want." - -Ted looked about him helplessly. Oh, how could he keep the news from -his mother? It would break her heart! - -And his career! What would this sort of thing do to that? Did it -mean that, just as he was hoping to make his mark in the world, and -rendering valuable assistance to his family, all must stop? With a -gesture of utter despair he gazed up into the skies, where he heard the -noise of an airplane, coming nearer and lower. - -For a moment the other men forgot their duties, and likewise looked -up into the air. For the plane was certainly flying very low indeed, -actually circling over their heads. And its roar was insistent; it -would not be ignored. - -At last it became plain to Ted that the pilot wanted to land. So the -young man held up his arm and pointed to field on the right of his -house. - -Wondering what its business could be, and interested in the plane as -everybody is, although it is a common sight, the detectives waited to -find out what would happen. - -What they actually saw was certainly worth looking at. The pilot was an -experienced flyer, and his landing, in the small area of this field, -was as neat as anything they had ever witnessed. Both men watched with -admiration and awe. - -When the motor had been turned off, and the pilot stepped from the -plane, Ted recognized him instantly. Sam Hunter--the best salesman, the -most experienced flyer of their company! - -"Sam!" he exclaimed with genuine pleasure, for although Ted had been -with his firm only a short time, this man was an old friend. - -"Ted! Old boy! How are you?" cried the other, clasping his hand in a -hearty handshake. "How's the shoulder?" - -"Pretty good," replied Ted. "I'm ready to go back to work, if I take -it a little easy. But--" he paused and glanced at the two men beside -him--"these fellows don't want to let me." - -"Doctors?" inquired Sam, though Ted's manner of referring to them -seemed queer--almost rude. He hadn't introduced them--a courtesy due -them if they were doctors, or men in any way worthy of respect. - -"They're detectives," explained Ted. "Sorry I can't introduce you, Sam, -but they did not favor me with their names. They've come here with a -warrant for my arrest." - -"By heck!" ejaculated Sam. "Then the little lady was right! The pretty -aviatrix who was so worried about you! And I'm just in time!" - -"I don't know what you mean." - -Sam put his hand into his pocket, and produced the paper which Mr. -Jordan had dictated and three of the men had signed. He handed it to -the detectives, both of whom read it at once. - -"All right," said one of them, briefly, as he handed it back to Sam. -"Good-by." - -Without another word they turned and fled to their automobile and -immediately drove away. - -Ted stood gazing at Sam in amazement, unable to understand what his -friend had done, how he had been able to accomplish what seemed like a -miracle. In a few words the latter told him of Linda's visit, and her -insistence upon the written alibi. - -He finished his explanation and Ted had just time to warn Sam not to -mention the matter to his mother, when the latter appeared, dressed in -a clean linen, beaming at both the boys. - -"Are you willing to have me take Ted back again?" asked Sam, after he -had been introduced. "Because we need him, if he's well enough to go." - -"I'll be sorry to lose him, of course," she answered with a motherly -smile. "But I always want Ted to do his duty. And I think he'll be all -right if he is careful. But first let me give you an early supper, so -that you can do most of your flying by daylight." - -Sam accepted the invitation with pleasure, and as the boys sat down at -five o'clock to that splendid home-cooked meal, it seemed to Ted that -he was perfectly happy again. He knew now that his company believed in -his innocence; best of all, he had the reassurance that Linda Carlton -shared that opinion! - -It was good to be in a plane again, he thought, as they took off, half -an hour later. Good to be up in the skies, with Sam--who was a friend -indeed! - -The whole trip was pleasant, and Mr. Jordan's greeting was just as -cordial as Sam's. When the former heard what a life-saver his message -had been, he was more impressed than ever with the cleverness of the -two girls who had visited him. - -"And if you'd like to see them and thank them yourself," he continued, -"I'll arrange for you to combine it with a visit to our Denver field. -The girls are out there in Colorado, they said--'Sunny Hills', I -believe the name of the village is." - -"Thank you, sir!" cried Ted, in delight and gratitude. "I don't deserve -that--after letting that other plane get away from me!" - -"Not your fault a bit!" protested the older man. "We've got insurance. -Still--if you could happen to sell one on your trip, it would be a big -help to us." - -"I'll do my best, Mr. Jordan. Now--when do I start?" - -"Tomorrow morning. At dawn, if you like." - -So it happened that when Linda and Louise were taking off for their -trip to Texas, that was halted so sadly, Ted Mackay, at the very same -hour, was flying to Denver. - -He reached his destination without mishap, and went back to Sunny Hills -that night. He had some difficulty in finding the place, stopping as -the girls had, at the airport to inquire, and reaching the Stillman -estate about ten o'clock that night. - -Thinking naturally that the airplane was Linda's, and that the girls -were back again for some reason, Roger and his brothers went out to -welcome them. - -Ted explained quickly that he was a friend of Miss Carlton--it was the -first time he had ever made such a statement, and there was pride in -his tone--and that, as he had just been to Denver, he wanted to stop -over here and see her for a few minutes. - -"Shucks! That's too bad!" exclaimed Roger with regret. "Miss Carlton -left this morning for her father's ranch in Texas." - -Ted's smile faded; the ranch was the one place where he could not visit -Linda. - -"But you must come in and make yourself at home. Stay all night--you -won't want to fly any more tonight. Why!" he cried, noticing Ted's -bandage, "you've been hurt!" - -"Last week," replied the other. "It's almost well now. But--really, -Mr. Stillman, though I thank you, I have no right to impose on your -hospitality!" - -"It's a pleasure, I'm sure. Besides, I want to look at your plane by -daylight. I'm in the market for a new airplane. My old one's being -repaired now, but it's so hopelessly out of date I thought I'd try to -trade it in." - -Instantly Ted became the business man, the salesman, and while he -accepted Roger's invitation to put his plane into the other's hangar, -he told of all its merits. - -So interested were they that they talked for an hour before they went -into the house. Then Roger was all apologies, for he knew Ted had had -no supper. - -He hunted his mother, who was sitting disconsolately at the telephone. - -"I'm worried about the girls," she told them. "They didn't phone from -the ranch, as they promised, and I have just finished calling it, by -long distance. They haven't arrived." - -"But they had plenty of time!" insisted Roger. "They started at seven -o'clock this morning!" - -"Something must have happened," said Mrs. Stillman, anxiously. -"Airplanes are so dangerous!" - -"I think I know why--if anything did happen," explained Roger, slowly. -"It isn't airplanes that are so dangerous as inexperienced pilots. I -found out that Dan had Linda's plane out last night, alone." - -"Dan?" Mrs. Stillman was horrified. "But he never flew alone in his -life!" - -"No, because I saw to it that he didn't. But he admitted that he -borrowed the Arrow last night." - -"This is serious," put in Ted. "We ought to do something--right away!" - -"What can we do? I made the girls a map, but they may be off their -course. I have no plane--and your time's not your own, Mr. Mackay." - -"But I'll have to do something!" cried Ted, excitedly. "Even if I lose -my job on account of it! It may be a question of life or death!" - -"I'll tell you what I'll do," decided Roger. "I'll buy that plane of -yours. I want it anyhow. And tomorrow morning at dawn we'll go on a -search.... Now, mother, can you give Mr. Mackay something to eat--and a -room?" - -Gratefully the young man accepted the hospitable offers of his new -friends and, pleased with the sale he had put through, he fell -instantly asleep, not to awaken until Roger both knocked at his door -and threw pillows at him the next morning. - -He dressed and they left in short order, after a hearty breakfast, -however, and armed with a lunch perhaps not so dainty as that provided -for the girls, but at least as satisfying. Roger reconstructed the map, -like the one he had made for Linda, and they flew straight for the -nearest airport. - -Unfortunately, however, they got no information there, no news of a -wreck, or of two girls flying in a biplane. But their time was not -wasted, for they took the opportunity to question one of the flyers who -seemed familiar with the territory around him. They asked particularly -about the more lonely, desolate parts of the near-by country, where an -airplane accident would not quickly be discovered. - -"There's a stretch about ten miles south of here," the man informed -them, indicating a spot on Roger's rough map. "Not a farm or a village, -as far as I know, except one old shack where a German lives. He hid -there during the War, because he didn't want to be sent home, and he -has continued to live on there ever since. He has a sort of garden, I -believe--just enough to keep him alive--with the fish he catches. And a -few apple trees. Once in a while he drives in here with his apples. I -could tell you pretty near where he lives, because I was stranded there -once myself. You could drop down and ask him if he heard any planes." - -Eagerly the two young men marked the spot and set off once more in -their plane, flying in the direction indicated. Before nine o'clock -they came to the shack, which was the building that Linda and Louise -had spied at a distance. They found the man frying fish on a fire in -front of his tumble-down house. - -Their landing had been of sufficient distance to avoid frightening -him, but near enough for him to hear them. They hurried towards him, -Roger almost shouting the question about the girls, before he actually -reached him. - -But, like Linda and Louise, when they tried to talk to this man, Roger -received a shrug of his shoulders in reply, and a muttered, "Nicht -versteh." - -Unlike the girls, however, Roger commanded a good knowledge of German, -and he translated the question with ease into the foreign language. - -To both flyers' unbounded delight, they were rewarded with the -information that they so longed to hear. The girls were safe--and not -far away! - - - - -CHAPTER XIX - -_Rescued_ - - -When the girls awakened at practically the same time--for Louise, in -stirring, moved against Linda--they were horrified to see that it was -half past eight by their wrist watches. - -"Two hours wasted!" groaned Louise. "And it's going to be hot today! -Oh, Linda, why didn't we wake up at six?" - -"Next time I'll bring an alarm clock," laughed her companion. "Come on, -let's straighten ourselves up. I--I--believe I'd rather not swim!" - -"No, indeed!" agreed Louise, recalling the horror they had witnessed -the night before. "We'll use what water we have--we can't carry much on -our hike anyway.... Now, let's see what we have for breakfast." - -"There's some fruit left, and a little bit of chicken. With water to -drink we'll have a fine meal." - -They sat down beside the plane to eat, and both girls seemed to enjoy -their breakfast, meager as it was. For each had resolutely made up her -mind to be cheerful. - -"Are the pearls safe?" asked Linda, as she gathered up the chicken -bones. - -"In my pocket!" replied Louise, taking them out for examination. "How -about your pistol?" - -"O.K.... Lou! Look! A plane!" - -Both girls jumped instantly to their feet and waved their arms and -their coats in the air as signals of distress. If only the pilot would -look down and see them! - -He was flying low enough to make this perfectly possible, but a moment -later his ascent sent a sickening disappointment into their hearts. He -was going away without even seeing them! Useless to yell; no one could -possibly hear above the deafening noise. To be so near to a rescue, and -then to have it fail them in the end! - -It was Linda, with her knowledge of flying, who was the first to -realize that the aviator wasn't really going away, that he was only -retreating farther into the field to make a safe landing, clear of them -and their plane. In her ecstasy she hugged Louise tightly. - -"He's coming down, Lou! To rescue us!" - -"How do you know?" demanded the other, incredulously. "He seems to be -going farther away to me!" - -"No, he isn't! It's only to land clear of us. Lou, it must be Roger!" - -"Roger? Why? How!" - -"Because he would investigate, when we failed to telephone!" - -"But suppose it's another bandit--like--you know! Get your revolver!" - -"It's right here. But don't worry, Lou. Look! He's on the ground!" - -The pilot brought the beautiful new cabin monoplane expertly to a stop -and shut off the engine. To the girls' amazement two men, not one, -stepped out. Both of them were old friends! - -"Roger! Ted!" cried both the girls at once, in their delight in -recognizing them. They felt as if they had been rescued from a desert -island. - -"You're both safe? Unhurt?" cried Roger, excitedly. - -"Thank God!" murmured Ted, reverently. - -"Yes--safe, but stranded," replied Louise. "We've only seen one person -since noon yesterday--and he couldn't speak English!" - -"Nevertheless, he's the one you owe the rescue to!" replied Roger. - -"You saw him?" demanded Linda, incredulously. "But you must have been -out hunting for us, first, Roger. Oh, I think you're just wonderful!" - -"No--the credit goes to Mr. Mackay," returned Roger, modestly. "And -the German fellow, with his apple-cart." And he proceeded to relate in -detail everything that had led to their pursuit and discovery. - -"Your shoulder is all right, Ted?" inquired Linda, after she heard that -he was back at his job. - -"Yes, fine, thank you. And I can never thank you enough for what you -did for me, Linda! I'll tell you all about it later." - -"Oh, that was nothing!" protested the girl lightly. Then, turning -anxiously to Roger, "Have you any news of my father?" - -"He is alive, but that is all my mother could learn last night from -the housekeeper over the telephone. But don't worry--you'll be there -yourself in a few hours!" - -"How?" she asked, glancing helplessly at her plane. "There's something -wrong with my motor. It may take a long time to fix--and--if I go by -train--Daddy might--" she stopped; she just couldn't say "die." - -"You're flying in my new plane!" Roger informed her. "Which I have just -purchased from Mr. Mackay. We'll leave right away, or as soon as he -examines yours, so he can tell me what to send out to him here. We'll -stop somewhere and phone for help." - -"Roger, would you really do that?" cried Linda, in relief. "That would -be wonderful!" - -"A pleasure!" he said. "Now--tell us what happened to you." - -"I really don't know, except that the motor acted awfully queer. But I -was lucky enough to make a safe landing." - -"It was just dreadful," put in Louise. "I was absolutely certain we -were going to be killed. Linda was wonderful." - -"She's a fine little pilot," said Ted, admiringly. "Shows she can keep -her head in an emergency--and that's one of the most important things -for an aviator.... Now, let's have a look at the plane." - -They all went with him while he examined it. - -"I'm afraid I can't fix it without some new parts, and some special -tools," he said, making notes as he spoke. "But it's nothing that -can't be repaired quickly. If you'll telephone our Denver field, Mr. -Stillman, and read this note to the mechanic, they'll send a man out. -And as soon as it's fixed, I'll pilot it to you at the ranch, Linda.... -Be sure to give me the directions.... Now, have you girls had anything -to eat?" - -"Oh, yes, we had supper last night," answered Louise, "left over from -our picnic lunch, and we even saved some fruit and some chicken for -breakfast." - -"Then you people might as well start," urged Ted. "No use wasting time." - -"One thing more," added Louise, while Linda busied herself writing the -directions for Ted, "we almost forgot! We found a wrecked plane last -night--two men dead--and recovered the necklace!" - -"What?" demanded Ted, in consternation. - -Roger, however, did not know what they were talking about, and no one -had time to explain. - -"The wreck's over by a stream--about half a mile beyond those bushes," -Louise informed Ted. "You can explore it while you're waiting." - -"And maybe salvage some of it!" added Ted, hopefully. - -Five minutes later the other three took off in the new plane, Louise -somehow sitting on Linda's lap. It wasn't very comfortable, but it -would not be for far. They would descend at the nearest landing place, -Roger getting in touch with Denver, while Louise called Miss Carlton, -Mrs. Stillman, and her parents, and then summoned a taxicab, to take -her to a railroad station. - -The rest of the trip was smooth and uneventful. Once only did they make -a stop after Louise left--that time to get some lunch at a hotel in -Fort Worth. In another hour they reached the ranch and landed right on -Mr. Carlton's field, for Linda knew from former directions just where -the best spot would be. - -"Come in with me, Roger," she invited, trying to keep her voice steady. - -They approached the house, an old-fashioned, rambling affair, and -knocked at the screen door. A middle-aged woman, neatly dressed, came -through the hall. - -"How do you do, Mrs. Cates," said Linda. "I am Mr. Carlton's daughter, -and this is Mr. Stillman, who has brought me in his plane." - -"Good afternoon," replied the older woman. "Come right in, my dear. -I've been expecting you." - -Linda had been watching her face, to try to ascertain from her -expression whether the news of her father was bad. - -"How--how--is Daddy?" she asked, with trembling lips, as she and Roger -followed Mrs. Cates into the big room where her father evidently spent -most of his indoor hours. A huge fireplace occupied most of one wall, -and there were many book-shelves. A table, a few chairs, and an old -couch were all the other furnishings, so that the great room looked -almost empty and desolate without its master. - -"He is still alive--but unconscious," sighed Mrs. Cates, shaking her -head mournfully. Her expression was one of resignation; she felt sure -that Mr. Carlton could not get better. - -"Unconscious!" repeated Linda. "Has he been so, long?" - -"Ever since his fall. He was riding a new horse--that he never should -have bought--and was thrown down a steep bank. His leg is broken, but -worse than that, he suffered severe internal injuries. Dr. Winston is -afraid there ain't much hope." - -The words were the cruelest Linda had ever heard; she burst out crying, -and hid her face on Mrs. Cates' motherly shoulder. Roger Stillman -remained standing, embarrassed. He did not know what to do. - -He coughed slightly, and Linda looked up, ashamed of herself for -breaking down. - -"Is there anything at all, Linda, that I can do for you?" he asked. "Or -for you, Mrs. Cates?" - -"I'm afraid not, thank you, Roger," replied the girl. "But don't you -want something to eat before you start back?" - -"No, thanks. I ought to be home early this evening, and I'll get supper -then. I'm not a bit hungry now." And with a sympathetic handshake, he -left her. - -"Would you like to go to your room, my dear--or do you want to see your -father first?" asked the housekeeper. "I have him here on the ground -floor." - -"I want to see Daddy!" replied Linda, wiping the tears from her eyes. - -The older woman led her across the hall to a room where the door was -open, and she caught sight of her father, lying almost lifeless upon -the bed. Impulsively Linda rushed in to him. It just didn't seem -possible that he wouldn't recognize her, and hold out his arms to -receive her! - -But he continued to lie death-like upon the bed, his head motionless -upon the pillow. His eyes were closed. - -"Daddy! Daddy darling!" she cried, in a voice that shook with pain. -Dropping to her knees, she knelt beside his bed, and covered his limp -hand with kisses. - -But there was no response whatever to her greeting! - -For some time she stayed there, praying that he would get better. Mrs. -Cates had left them alone, but in half an hour she came back. - -"Come, my dear, you must get some rest. Take off your clothing, and -wash your face and hands and lie down for a while. Then perhaps you -will be able to eat some supper." - -Obediently Linda did as she was told, for she realized that the -housekeeper was only trying to be kind. And, after a short nap, she had -to admit that she felt better. - -"Any change, Mrs. Cates?" was her first question, when she sat down to -supper with the woman and her husband. The rest of the help ate in the -kitchen, but Mrs. Cates realized that this was no time for the girl to -be alone. - -"No. Not a bit." - -"Oughtn't there to be a trained nurse?" - -"Dr. Winston didn't think so. I'm doing what needs to be done." - -"When will the doctor be back?" - -"Tonight, after supper." - -Somehow Linda felt dissatisfied, as if enough were not being done. -Another doctor should have been called in--a surgeon, perhaps. And -surely a trained nurse. - -She spoke of these things to Dr. Winston when he came over about eight -o'clock that evening. But he shook his head. - -"I'm afraid nothing can save your father, my child," he said. "There's -only one chance in a thousand he might get well, if we operated. And -there's only one surgeon in the United States who ever had any success -with that sort of operation." - -"But if there is _one_!" cried Linda, eagerly jumping to the tiny hope -his words suggested. "We must get that surgeon! Who is he? Where is -he?" She was talking rapidly, excitedly, almost incoherently. - -"He is a Dr. Lineaweaver. A marvelous man. But I happen to know he is -away on his vacation now." - -"Where does he go?" - -"That I don't know." - -"But you know where he lives?" - -"Yes. St. Louis." - -"Then won't you please call his home and find out where he is, and I'll -go for him as soon as I get my plane back." - -The doctor shook his head sorrowfully. - -"I'm afraid it's too late, my child. I--I--doubt if your father will -live through the night. And you couldn't fly at night--even if your -plane were here." - -"I can--and will! And I think I hear my plane now--yes, I'm sure that's -it. Get me the address--quick--and you put in the call while I run out -and see my plane! And try to get a trained nurse immediately. I'll be -back before dawn--unless the surgeon's in Europe or Canada!" - -And, dashing in to give her father one kiss, she hurried out to find -faithful Ted Mackay, alighting from her beloved Arrow. - - - - -CHAPTER XX - -_The Race against Death_ - - -"Ted!" - -"Linda!" - -"You can't know how thankful I am to see you!" cried the girl. -"It--it--may mean that I can save my father's life!" And she told him -of her plans. - -"If I could only go with you!" sighed the young man. "I hate to think -of you flying alone at night!" - -"But you do believe I'm capable, don't you, Ted?" Linda's eyes searched -his for the truth; she was not asking for flattery, she really wanted -his opinion. - -"Yes indeed I do!" Ted answered, with assurance. "But it's always safer -for two pilots to go together. However, the Pursuit is in fine shape -now--and filled up with gas.... Linda, I have something to tell you." - -"Yes?" - -"About the wreck--and--those thieves.... The other dead man was my -father." - -"Your father! Ted!" Every bit of color left the girl's face. What a -dreadful, ghastly thing to happen to anybody, and especially to a fine -boy like Ted! To come upon his father, dead, in that abrupt fashion, -and to know, worst of all, that he had died in disgrace! - -Finding no words to express her sympathy, she pressed his hand tightly -in silence. - -"So you see how much I have to do--why I can't go with you," he -continued. "I have reported the wreck to my company, and made -arrangements about my father's body. But I must go right home to my -mother." - -"But how do you explain it all, Ted?" Linda asked. - -"I think my father was paying one of his regular visits to the Spring -City Flying School--he came there once in so often to get money from -me--and he was disappointed to find I had gone. Whether he knew that -other man before, I don't know, but it would seem probable that he did. -Together they must have cooked up the scheme to follow your plane and -get the necklace.... That is why it is really fortunate the man got the -necklace by a ruse. You see he was armed with a gun--as I later found -out, and if he had had to fight for the jewels, I'm sure he wouldn't -have hesitated to fire on you!" - -"And I suppose your father's being involved would explain why you were -suspected," added Linda. "You look like him, I believe." - -"Yes. To my regret." - -"But perhaps it's better as it is," concluded Linda. "Don't you feel -so, Ted?" - -"Yes, I do. It--will be so much easier for my mother.... But Linda, we -mustn't stand here talking. Every minute is precious to you." - -"No. I can't go till Dr. Winston comes out with the surgeon's address. -He's putting in a long distance call. However, I will go in and change -into my flyer's suit, if you don't mind," she added. - -Five minutes later she reappeared with the information that Dr. -Lineaweaver was in Louisiana--at a small seaport town which Ted -instantly located on a map that he gave to Linda. - -"I won't even start off with you," the young man said, "because that -would mean an extra stop for you. Now--are you sure you are all -right--and that you can stay awake?" - -"Yes, I'm sure," replied the girl, forcing a smile. "Mrs. Cates has -just given me a thermos bottle full of coffee, and a sandwich, to help -me!" - -A moment later she climbed into the cockpit and started the motor. -The Pursuit, whose engine purred with the smooth even whir of one in -perfect order, gained speed until it rose into the air. It was Linda's -first flight at night. - -Darkness was all around her, but overhead the stars shone brightly, and -the moon came from behind a cloud to light her way. Strange, lonely, -mysterious, it seemed to her, as she flew through the night, but -nevertheless thrilling. Gradually a sense of peace settled over her, -as if a Divine Providence was surely guiding her, and she experienced -the firm conviction that everything was right, that she was going to be -successful in her mission to save her father's life. - -For the first time she realized how much her confidence had to do -with Ted Mackay. Because he had repaired and inspected the motor, she -felt certain there would be no accident, and a successful flight was -a good omen for the operation. Moreover, she had great faith in Dr. -Lineaweaver. If he would only promise to come! - -The hours passed, the moon set, the night grew darker. But the solitary -girl flew on, swift and straight to her course, steadfast in her -undertaking. About two o'clock she arrived at the little seaport, found -a landing place back of the one big hotel, and went inside. - -Fortunately a night clerk was on duty, and he rose immediately to -greet her. The flyer's costume identified her so that he had no need to -ask what a girl of her age was doing alone at this early hour of the -morning. - -"Can you tell me where Dr. Lineaweaver, the surgeon, can be located?" -she inquired. "I want him immediately--it is a question of my father's -life." - -Her voice was steady now; there was no danger of tears. She seemed -almost mature as she spoke the words. - -"Yes," replied the clerk. "He is staying at Dr. Grayson's bungalow--a -couple of blocks away. They come over here for their meals." - -"Could you get him on the telephone for me?" - -"Certainly. I'll let you talk with him." - -Although the clerk put in the call immediately, there was no answer for -several minutes. A fishing trip had tired both doctors, and they were -sleeping soundly. At last, however, there came a reply, and Linda took -the telephone. - -In a few words the unhappy girl apologized for the call at that hour, -and during the surgeon's holiday, and briefly told her story. Eagerly -she pleaded with him to dress and come immediately, informing him that -she had her plane waiting. - -"You mean you flew from Texas alone--at this hour of the night!" -exclaimed the surgeon. - -"Yes. But you needn't be afraid, Doctor, to go with me. I'm quite -experienced. Oh please, please, say yes!" - -"I'll be at the hotel in ten minutes," replied the great man. "And -meanwhile, you get something to eat." - -Linda sank gratefully into a chair, thinking that the hardest part of -her task was over--the winning of Dr. Lineaweaver's consent to break -into his vacation and go back with her. Now, if her father only lived -until they returned, all would surely be well! - -Still keeping herself in control, she ate her sandwich and drank her -coffee, while she waited for the doctor to come. True to his word, he -appeared in exactly ten minutes. - -The flight back to the ranch was much pleasanter than the one to the -seaport. No longer was Linda alone; it was a comfort to have the great -surgeon with her, to know that he would do all in his power to save her -father. The darkness gradually faded, giving place to a faint gray, and -finally to a beautiful, inspiring sunrise. A dawn that perhaps meant -new life to her father! - -It did not take Dr. Lineaweaver long to realize that Linda was an -accomplished pilot, and he settled back into his seat in full enjoyment -of the ride. His surprise at her youth--she was much younger than he -had supposed from the telephone conversation--gradually gave way to -admiration of her skill and her poise. He had no fear for his own -safety; he was confident that she would make the journey without a -mishap. - -About seven o'clock she brought the Pursuit to a stop on the field that -belonged to her father's ranch. Cates was already there to greet them. - -"Is my father still alive?" she demanded, with the first indication of -any strain in her voice. - -"Yes," came the reassuring reply. "He is just the same." - -"And did you succeed in getting a nurse?" - -"Yes. Dr. Winston's here too.... Now, the Mrs. said to bring you both -in for a hot breakfast." - -Linda was so excited that she did not see how she could possibly eat, -but when she realized that the surgeon must take time for something, -she finally agreed. But first she tiptoed in for a look at her father, -and gave him a kiss that was really a prayer. A white-clad nurse -smiled at her, and she believed hopefully that all was well. - -The inaction, the weary, tense waiting of the next two hours was -more difficult for Linda than her flight to Louisiana, alone in the -darkness. She had nothing to do. Sleep was out of the question, yet she -was terribly tired. But she could not sit still; aimlessly she followed -Mrs. Cates around, begging for work. At last the good woman, realizing -that the girl could not rest, set her to washing dishes and preparing -vegetables for the noon-day meal. - -But finally the operation was over, and Linda's heart stood still as -she heard Dr. Winston coming out of her father's room. Suppose it had -all been in vain! She covered her face with her hands, she dared not -trust herself to look into his eyes, that would tell her, before he -could utter the words, whether her father had lived. - -And then came the glorious news that set her heart to singing as if the -whole world had been recreated in joy and happiness: - -"Your father is doing nicely, Miss Carlton.... Dr. Lineaweaver believes -that he will get well." - -Now the tears came in floods, tears of thankfulness and gladness, and -she hugged Mrs. Cates in her ecstasy. - -"It was a wonderful operation," continued Dr. Winston. "Dr. Lineaweaver -is the greatest surgeon I have ever had the honor to watch." - -"Thank God! Thank God!" murmured Mrs. Cates, reverently.... "And now, -honey, you must go and get some sleep!" - -"Not till I've thanked Dr. Lineaweaver!" protested Linda, and she ran -off like a happy child, unmindful of the terrible strain she had just -been through. - - - - -CHAPTER XXI - -_Honors for Linda_ - - -When Linda was permitted, the following day, to go in to see her -father, she found him conscious, but she knew from his expression that -he was suffering severe pain. However, he managed a feeble smile as she -entered, that sent a surge of joy to her heart. - -"Daddy!" she exclaimed, her voice choked with thankfulness, "you are -going to get well!" - -He gave an almost imperceptible nod. - -"Yes, dear, thanks to you," he managed to murmur. - -"You mean thanks to the Pursuit--and to Dr. Lineaweaver," she -corrected. She wanted to add Ted Mackay's name to the list, but she -felt it would not be wise. - -Her father smiled; it was like Linda to disclaim any credit for herself. - -"I phoned Aunt Emily last night," she added, "and she is coming out in -a couple of days." - -"Well, don't let her make a fuss over me," was his unexpected reply. - -Linda squeezed his hand jubilantly; he was talking like himself again! - -She did not stay with him long--the nurse thought fifteen minutes was -enough--but she was satisfied. Now that she felt sure he was getting -better, time no longer hung heavy on her hands. There was so much to -do at the ranch--so many activities that she enjoyed. Hiking, fishing, -riding horseback, even helping Cates with the kitchen garden or driving -the battered Ford into Fort Worth on errands. - -Her aunt arrived a few days later, bringing a trunk as usual. -Linda laughed at the idea of carrying so many clothes to a -ranch--she practically lived in her old riding-breeches and khaki -shirt-waists--but Miss Carlton could not be comfortable unless she was -perfectly dressed. - -"Linda, my darling!" exclaimed the older woman, as they kissed each -other. "Think how near I came to losing you!" - -"Oh, no, Aunt Emily, you mustn't say that! Even though Lou and I were -stranded, there was no danger of our dying. We could have hiked the -whole way home, if it had been necessary." - -"But you _almost_ had a serious accident!" - -"Well, we didn't. And since my plane saved Daddy's life, you're -converted to them now, aren't you?" pleaded the girl. - -"I do think they're useful," admitted the other. "And I really believe -that you are an exceptionally fine pilot, my dear." - -"It's awfully sweet of you to say that, Aunt Emily.... But don't let's -talk about it any more. Come in and see Daddy. He's expecting you." - -Miss Carlton was amazed and delighted to find that her brother's -progress had been so rapid, and she began to talk immediately about -taking him back to Green Falls with her, in a week or so. He could -bring his nurse with him, perhaps charter a private car. - -"Must we go back so soon, Aunt Emily?" asked Linda. "I love it here!" - -"It's too wild for me," replied Miss Carlton. "And too lonely. Besides, -we have to be on hand for Field Day. It's the biggest event of the -summer at Green Falls." - -"All right," agreed Linda pleasantly. "Whatever you say." - -"By the way, did you tell your father about finding the necklace? When -Louise came home with it, I thought Kitty Clavering'd go crazy! Such a -queer circumstance, too--you girls finding it the way you did!" - -"No, I didn't tell Daddy yet," replied Linda, blushing. She had been -afraid to bring Ted's name, or his father's, into the conversation with -her father, when he was still so ill. - -"You see, Daddy," she explained, turning to him, as he lay there -quietly on his bed, "Lou and I were taking a trip in the Pursuit, -and something went wrong with the motor, forcing us to land in a -desolate spot. After our picnic supper, while Lou and I went swimming, -we--we--came upon a wrecked plane, and--and--two dead men. The two -thieves!" She paused, but suddenly remembered that her aunt did not -know that one of the men was Ted's father, for that fact had been -ascertained after Louise left. "And we got the necklace!" - -"Whew!" exclaimed Mr. Carlton, in amazement at their luck, and horror -at the experience. "Pretty sickening for you two girls! But, by the -way, did the other fellow have red hair?" - -"Yes, he did. Though Lou and I only saw him from a distance. We didn't -want to go too near, for luckily the necklace was in the man's coat -beside the wreck, and the bodies were some distance away." - -Seeing that the subject was unpleasant to Linda, Mr. Carlton never -mentioned it to her again during her entire visit. - -Three weeks passed happily, and her father was sitting up in his chair, -when her aunt's restlessness became so apparent that Linda was willing -to go back to Green Falls. - -"You see I'm on the committee for Field Day, my dear," explained Miss -Carlton, apologetically. "Besides, I hope you can take part in the -events." - -"How could I, Aunt Emily? I'm not in practice for golf or tennis, or -any of the contests. I'm afraid I'd be a joke." - -"I thought perhaps you might enter the airplane competitions," -suggested her aunt, to Linda's consternation. - -"Do you really mean it, Aunt Emily?" cried the girl, in delight. "Why, -I'd adore that!" - -"Well, we'll see what the program calls for. If it isn't anything too -dangerous, like parachute jumping.... And another thing--it is very -important for you to be on hand, because Louise is planning a surprise -that you don't want to miss." - -"Is she going to announce her engagement to Ralph Clavering, or -Harriman Smith?" - -"Not that I know of! She isn't engaged to Ralph, is she?" - -"She wasn't when I last saw her. But absence often lends enchantment, -you know!" - -Miss Carlton looked searchingly into her niece's eyes, but she could -see only laughter in them. "Wouldn't you mind a bit, Linda, if Louise -married Ralph?" she inquired. - -"Yes, certainly I'd mind," replied the girl seriously, "I don't think -Ralph--or any other boy we know--is good enough for Lou!" - -"Oh, is that all?" - -"Yes, that's all. Marriage is too serious for either of us--yet.... Now -tell me, Auntie, what you meant by that surprise!" - -"You wait and see! It's something you'll like." - -Linda thought perhaps it was the delightful party that greeted her when -she landed, three days later, at Green Falls. All of the old crowd were -there to welcome her--Louise and Dot Crowley, the two Claverings, Jim -Valier and Harriman Smith, Sara Wheeler, Sue Emery, Maurice Stetson, -and Joe Sinclair. They presented her with a beautiful little silver -airplane, a model for her desk, which served a useful purpose as a -stamp-box. Miss Carlton, who had arrived the day before by train, had -arranged an elaborate dinner for the whole party. - -There was so much to talk about--the championships the young people -were hoping to win, the airplane stunts for which two noted flyers had -been engaged, the contests in flying that anyone with a private pilot's -license might enter. In this last event they were all hoping to star -Linda. - -"Even a race, Linda," said Ralph, who seemed to have forgotten all -about their quarrel. "You'll enter, won't you?" - -"Yes, indeed!" replied the girl, her eyes shining with anticipation. -"Aunt Emily has already given her consent." - -Thinking there had been enough talking and too little dancing, Kitty -Clavering suggested that they turn on the radio. She was wearing her -pearl necklace, and rushing over every few minutes to kiss Linda or -Louise, in appreciation of their having recovered it. - -"This is to be our last party, for almost a week," she said. "Ralph -says we all have to go in training--though I'd never win anything if -I trained for years. But I can't do much, with all the rest of you -practicing tennis and golf and swimming every minute, and going to bed -at ten o'clock! So let's make this party good!" - -The evening passed happily, and no one but Kitty seemed to resent the -fact that they gave up social activities and late hours for a few -days. They all worked seriously at their own particular sports, and -Linda practiced loops and speeding with her plane. - -Labor Day dawned, hot but clear--splendid weather for the out-door -event of the season. The Casino and the grounds around it were gayly -decorated for the fête; a band supplied music whenever there was a -lull, and refreshment-booths everywhere offered an opportunity for the -guests to eat outside, if they did not prefer the more formal luncheon -and dinner served at the restaurant. - -Golf tournaments, swimming races and diving contests were on the -program for the morning, and the finals in tennis were to be played -off soon after lunch. Then came archery and quoits, drills by the Boy -Scouts and a pageant by the Girl Scouts. The last thing before supper -was the exhibition of flying. - -Linda had decided not to go to the grounds in the morning, for she -wanted to have a mechanic inspect her plane, to ascertain that -everything was just right before her participation in the most -spectacular event of the day. She arrived soon after luncheon in the -Pursuit, leaving it at the runway behind the grounds, and strolling -over to the tennis matches, watched Ralph capture the men's singles' -cup, and Dot Crowley take the women's. - -She found the archery contest interesting, and almost wished she had -entered, for her father had taught her the art of the bow. However, on -the whole she was satisfied to concentrate all her energy upon flying. - -The acrobatics came first on the program; two aviators of considerable -repute in their profession had been advertised, although their names -had not yet been divulged. What was Linda's amazement, when she heard -Edward Mackay and Sam Hunter being introduced by the chairman! This had -been her aunt's doing, no doubt, for the latter was on the committee. -Was this the surprise she had so mysteriously mentioned, and if so, -what was Louise's part in it? - -A hush fell over the huge throng as they watched the two flyers ascend -into the air and demonstrate all sorts of stunts for their amusement. -The falling leaf, the Immelman turn, the inside loop, and the much more -difficult outside loop--and a number of others to which even Linda -could not give a name. Then finally, from a height of five thousand -feet, Ted Mackay stepped off in a parachute and came safely to the -ground. - -While she had been watching these skillful yet dangerous performances, -Linda's heart beat fast with excitement, her breath came in little -gasps of fear or relief, as the stunt began fearfully or ended in -safety. But now that her own turn was coming, she was surprisingly calm -and self-possessed. - -With five other amateur flyers, all of whom were young men, she taxied -along the runway and took off into the air, mounting to fifteen hundred -feet, carefully keeping clear of her opponents. The looping began; she -completed one inside loop after another, until she had scored six. -Then she realized that she was too near the ground to take a chance -with another, and it was too late to ascend again. With the wisdom of -an Earhart or a Lindbergh, who never sacrifices safety for the sake of -foolish publicity, she cautiously landed. A few minutes later the other -planes all came down. Only one pilot, a college boy whom she had just -met, scored over her by completing ten loops. - -After a short interval of rest, the signal that was to start the race -was given, and a moment later the gun went off, and six planes ascended -again, this time aiming for speed. - -As the Pursuit soared smoothly upward and then straight ahead, Linda -experienced a great surge of pride--not for herself, but for her -wonderful little plane. It was almost as if it were a living thing, -like a beloved horse. So light, so easy to guide, so sure of its power! -On and on it sped, forging its way ahead, passing now one plane and -then another until it came abreast of the leader. The thrill, the -intoxication of the race took possession of the young aviatrix, and she -urged it on to its fullest speed. - -Now she was passing the one that had looked like the winner from the -first! The shouts of her friends below were inaudible to her, but she -could feel their applause in her heart. In another second the gun went -off with a loud explosion which even the pilots could hear. The race -was over; Linda Carlton, the only feminine entry, had won! - -Her friends, even acquaintances and strangers, almost mobbed her when -she finally landed. And the college boy who had come in second was -nicest of all. He and Ralph, forming a seat with their hands, carried -her high above their shoulders, through the crowd to the Casino where -the prizes were to be awarded. - -Two cups had been provided as a reward for the looping and the racing, -and, amid the applause of hundreds, Linda and her new friend received -them. But that was not all; the chairman held up his arm for silence. - -"I have another privilege!" he shouted, and the people suddenly became -quiet. "Our club, which among other things fosters aviation for useful -purposes, and is always on the lookout for deeds of courage which -result in the saving of life, wishes to make an award for such an -action. We have discovered, entirely unknown to her, that Miss Carlton -made a record flight to bring a noted surgeon to her dying father, in -time to perform the operation that saved his life. I therefore take -great pleasure in awarding this medal to Miss Linda Carlton, of Green -Falls!" - -A deep wave of color surged over the girl's face as she listened to -her own name in connection with the speaker's words. Was it possible -that this great honor should come to her, when she had merely performed -her duty, and been thankful to be able to do it? Her knees shook, her -eyelids fluttered, as she blushingly stepped forward again. But she -caught sight of Louise among the crowd--Lou, who had arranged this as -her surprise--and then she saw her aunt, with Ted beside her, and she -suddenly felt at ease, and smiled. - -It was over at last, the applause and the congratulations, and Linda -was walking with these three back to her plane when she noticed a -wheelchair, pushed by a white-clad nurse. It must be--it was--her -father! - -"Daddy!" she cried, pushing her way through the crowd to him. "You are -here! How wonderful!" - -"It is you who are wonderful, my dear girl!" he returned. "I am prouder -than I have ever been in my life!" - -"Daddy--" she lowered her voice--"you don't mind my being with Ted -Mackay? Because Aunt Emily----" - -"Of course not!" he interrupted. "I know all about the boy's part in -saving you--your aunt told me. I--I--am ready to admit I was wrong. You -will forgive me?" - -"Why, of course!" She smiled joyfully; there was so much to be happy -about now. "And may I have him for a friend?" she asked, timidly. - -"So long as you don't marry him--or anybody else--for a long time!" - -Her reply was reassuring: - -"I won't, Daddy dear! My career as a flyer has only just begun!" - - -THE END - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Linda Carlton, Air Pilot, by Edith Lavell - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK LINDA CARLTON, AIR PILOT *** - -***** This file should be named 44862-8.txt or 44862-8.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/4/8/6/44862/ - -Produced by chenzw and the Online Distributed Proofreading -Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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