"What's your big news, Ralph?" asked Linda, wondering whether it had anything to do with flying. "You must have had some reason for taking me away from Harry."
"You're reason enough yourself, my angel," he replied. "You look divine tonight."
"Thanks, Ralph. But that's not quite fair to Harry, is it?"
"All's fair in love and war… But lest you think too meanly of me, I did have another reason. One that will knock you cold: Kit is taking up flying!"
"Kitty! No! Never!"
Linda could not imagine anyone less likely to care for aviation than pretty, petite Kitty Clavering, who never had an idea in her head beyond her parties, her pearls, and her boy friends. Besides, she was so timid. Why, she was even nervous about taking her car into traffic, and almost always used the chauffeur.
"Of course there's a reason," explained Ralph.
"You mean Lieutenant Hulbert?"
"Naturally."
"But what has that to do with me, Ralph? I'm not supposed to teach her, or anything like that, am I?" Linda had often thought it would be a simple matter to teach Louise, who was naturally air-minded, but Kitty Clavering would be difficult. And she'd simply die if Kitty ever sat at the controls of her Arrow!
"No, of course not. Dad has a big idea – you know how he longs to get me into business? Well, he jumped at the chance of launching Kit. She's to start a Flying Club. You know about them?"
"Yes. They're run something like Country Clubs, aren't they? Only flying is the sport, instead of golf and tennis."
"Exactly. Dad's financing it, and Kit is to take charge. Sell thousand dollar bonds, get members, arrange about instruction. And she's supposed to run it like a business, and pay interest to Dad."
"Well, of all things!" cried Linda. Nevertheless, the idea was delightful. Just as flying was ten times better than any other sport, so a flying club would be that much nicer than a country club.
"Of course I don't need to tell you that Lieutenant Hulbert is in on this," continued Ralph. "He and Kitty are working hand in hand. He's even hoping to be the instructor for a while, if he can get a short leave from the army."
"So that he can be near Kitty," concluded Linda. "But suppose Kitty drops him as she did Maurice, then what will happen to the poor people who have invested their money in the club?"
"She can't drop it. There'll be a board of managers to see to that. Besides, Dad'll be back of it. Nobody need worry much, as long as he's behind it."
"That's true," admitted Linda.
"Of course I'll be at college, but I think I can persuade Dad into giving me a plane of my own, so that I can fly home every week-end. Doesn't it sound thrilling?"
"It surely does. We'll have to get together and talk the whole thing over soon."
"I'll tell the world! I'm going to get the bunch over here tomorrow afternoon. Can you come? It's my last day home."
The music had stopped, but Ralph showed no signs of letting Linda go back to her escort.
"And will you promise me tomorrow night, Linda?" he begged. "In case I don't get another dance with you tonight?"
"I don't know," she replied, thoughtfully. "I'm sort of expecting Daddy home this week-end, and I must see him."
"But you can see your father any time!"
"That's just what I can't do! Why Ralph, I see you lots oftener than Daddy. I haven't laid eyes on him since Field Day at Green Falls – three weeks ago!"
"You may not see me for three weeks!"
"And then again, I may… Here come Lou and Harry… No, Ralph, I can't promise. If I come tomorrow afternoon, that's all I can say."
"Oh, all right," returned the young man sulkily. He never could get used to Linda's independence – when he – and everybody else – regarded himself as the biggest catch in Spring City. He'd invite Louise, for spite.
"Lou, will you go riding with me tomorrow night, and paint the town red, because it's my last night home?" he asked.
"O.K.," replied Louise enthusiastically. "But why be so stingy about yourself? Let's make it a crowd!" She turned to Linda.
"I prefer your society alone," interrupted Ralph, peevishly, and with a wink at her chum, Louise accepted his invitation to dance.
Linda and Harry started the next dance together, but scarcely had they gone around the floor when Lieutenant Hulbert cut in. Linda was both proud and delighted; he was an older man, probably twenty-four or five, and she found him most interesting. She made him talk about the army and about flying, and finally of the club. She was keenly disappointed when Joe Elliston cut in and took her away.
She did not dance with the Lieutenant again, although she stayed until midnight. Then she told Harry she wanted to go home.
"But your aunt isn't even thinking of leaving so early, and she's as strict as they come. Besides, I hear that the breakfast we're going to get will put the supper to shame!" Harry was just as anxious as Ralph to have a good time before college opened.
"I know, Harry, and I don't want to be a poor sport. But I'm really awfully tired. I flew to Philadelphia yesterday, and back again today." She didn't say why; Linda Carlton was not a girl to boast of her good deeds. "Besides, tomorrow is a big day for me. If Daddy comes home, we have some momentous questions to talk over – which will decide my whole future."
"Flying?"
"Yes… So, Harry, please take me home, and then you can easily come back again and stay for breakfast."
The young man did as he was requested, but he did not go back. Somehow, the party no longer interested him.
So while her friends still danced far into the night, Linda Carlton slept soundly, that she might retain that radiant health upon which the doctor had complimented her the day before.
Chapter III
The Flying Club
When Linda came down to breakfast the following morning, she found her father already at the table. He had a way of arriving early in the morning, for he preferred traveling in a sleeper.
"Daddy!" she cried, happily. "Just the person I want to see!"
"Well, that's nice," he said, kissing her affectionately. "I wouldn't want it otherwise. Now sit down and tell me all about your latest experiences while you eat your breakfast."
"No, first you must tell me how you are! Are you all well again after that terrible accident?"
"Much better, but not quite all well," he replied. "I have to stay away from horses, I guess, for the rest of my life. I'm selling the ranch."
"Daddy!" There was the deepest sympathy in her voice; she knew how her father loved his out-door life, almost as much as she loved flying.
"Well, it wasn't paying anyhow. But sit down, dear, and tell me about yourself. I know you were at a party last night – the servants told me, for I haven't seen your Aunt Emily yet."
"Everything's just fine with me," Linda told him, as she sat down beside him and took a bunch of grapes. "It isn't the past I want to talk about, Daddy – it's the future."
"Of course, of course," murmured her father. "It's always the future with you… Well, what's on your mind now?"
"I want to go to a ground school. I want to be a commercial pilot – maybe even a 'transport pilot,' the highest of all, you know. And a licensed mechanic." She tried to keep her voice calm, but her blue eyes were shining with excitement.
"What for?" inquired her father, smiling at the idea of a girl with ambitions like these.
"So that I can earn my living in aviation. I want to go in for it seriously, Daddy. Not just play!"
"You're afraid I won't be able to support you, later