_Kitty's Party_
Linda and Mrs. Beach slept soundly that night, in the cheap but
comfortable beds in the neat little room not far from the hospital. But
both awakened early, the woman because she was longing to see her baby,
the girl because she was anxious to fly back to Spring City.
"Do you think that you have enough money, Mrs. Beach?" asked the
latter, as they left the house together, after paying the landlady.
Linda had insisted upon taking the room for the week, in order that the
child might remain at the hospital as long as was necessary. "Hadn't I
better give you some for your ticket home, and for a telegram to your
husband?"
"Thank you, Miss Carlton, you have done so much already! But if I could
borrow a little?"
"Of course you can," replied the girl, realizing that the other would
prefer that arrangement.
"I don't know how soon I can pay it back, but I'll try hard!" promised
Mrs. Beach.
"Your husband has a farm, hasn't he?" suggested Linda. "Why not drive
in once a week with vegetables? My aunt would be glad to take them from
you."
"The very thing!" agreed the woman, joyfully. It seemed as if all her
cares had vanished as completely as the fog of the previous day.
After a hearty breakfast together, Linda said good-by and went back to
her plane at the airport. She found it in perfect condition, inspected
and filled with gas, ready for her flight homeward. How she would enjoy
it today! How good the clear sunlight would feel, how bracing the air
that held the crispness of autumn! She was glad, too, to be alone,
after yesterday's nerve-racking experience.
Nor was there any reason for hurry this time. She could land at
Pittsburgh, or some other convenient half-way airport, and have a good
lunch. And still arrive home long before dark.
It was just about four o'clock when she finally brought her plane down
in the field behind her house at Spring City. Gathering her things
together, she made her way slowly to the porch, singing as she went
along. Her aunt--her father's sister who had taken care of her ever
since her mother's death--was nervously waiting for her on the steps.
"Linda!" she cried, as soon as the girl was within hearing distance.
"Do hurry up and tell me what you have been doing!"
"Didn't you get my telegram, Aunt Emily?" she asked, kissing the older
woman.
"Yes. But--alone in Philadelphia! I do hope you had a chaperon! You
didn't go with any of the boys?" Miss Carlton was old-fashioned and
strict; she had done everything in her power to bring up her niece in
the most correct manner.
"No, no, Auntie!" She smiled affectionately. "I went with a woman named
Mrs. Beach--to rush her baby to the hospital. And I stayed all night
with her."
"Oh!" exclaimed Miss Carlton, in relief. "I should have been more
worried than I was, except that I didn't find out that you had gone off
in your plane until I got your telegram. And by that time the fog had
lifted.... But come inside and have some tea and sandwiches, and tell
me all about it."
Linda followed her into the house and briefly related her story, not
mentioning the stall at all, for she made it a point never to worry
her aunt unnecessarily, because the latter was so timid about airplanes
that she had never even gone for a ride in the Pursuit.
"Now I must call Dr. Ginsley," the girl concluded, as she finished the
last sandwich on the plate.
"No, dear--I'll call him for you. You must go right upstairs and take a
nap. Don't forget that Kitty's dinner is tonight, and Harry is coming
for you at half-past seven."
Linda smiled; of all the boys she knew, she admired Harriman Smith
most, although he was the poorest financially of her select social
group at Spring City. He belonged to perhaps the finest type of young
men in America today--the class who are working their own way through
college. Handsome, clean-cut, ambitious, bound to make his mark in the
world! And he was head over heels in love with pretty Linda Carlton.
But, unlike Ralph Clavering, another of the girl's admirers, he did not
often speak of his infatuation. It wasn't fair to a girl to talk love,
he believed, until a man had something with which to back it up.
"What will you wear?" inquired Miss Carlton. "Your white chiffon?"
"No," answered Linda, thoughtfully. "I don't think that would be fair
to Kitty. It's Kitty's big party, and of course she'll wear white--with
her pearls, so I think all her friends ought to wear colors, to sort of
set her off, like a queen.... I believe I'll wear my daffodil."
"All right, just as you say. But do run along."
* * * * *
Never in her life had Linda attended such a gorgeous party as this
début of Kitty Clavering. The Claverings were millionaires several
times over, by far the richest people in Spring City, and they gave
this function in a lavish style. The huge house shone with brilliant
lights, the flowers reminded Linda of a flower show; the caterers had
been brought from Chicago, and the music was by Paul Whiteman himself,
with his famous jazz orchestra.
It was all so dazzling, so bewildering, that Linda felt as if she were
lost in some tropical island, among strangers. It was some time before
she recognized anybody she knew, and she clung tightly to Harry's arm.
He pressed her hand gently; it was wonderful to have a chance to
protect Linda Carlton, who usually was so fearless.
"I wish we could find Lou," she remarked, mentioning her chum, her
dearest friend who had gone through school with her, and graduated in
the same class the preceding June. "Lou is so much more at home at this
sort of thing than I am."
They were seated at a little table now--there were tables of every
size in the dining-room and conservatory and library--and a waiter was
serving them with the most delicious food.
Linda ate hers almost in awe, wondering whether this was the sort of
thing her aunt was planning for her. The expense of it! Why, it would
cost as much as a whole year's course at a ground school! And where
would it get you in the end? It would only lead to more parties--more
expense. Linda sighed.
"Why the sigh, Linda?" inquired Harry, sympathetically.
"I guess it wasn't very polite," replied the girl, flushing. "But I'm
afraid my mind is on other things."
"Well, try to bring it back. Here comes our host--with another man. An
army officer!"
"I'm not interested in army officers," she whispered, but when she saw
from the stranger's insignia that he belonged to the Flying Corps, she
changed her mind.
"Hello, Linda," exclaimed Ralph Clavering, Kitty's brother who had
taken a course with Linda at the Spring City Flying School a few months
before. "Been looking all over for you. You too, Harry!... I want to
introduce Lieutenant Hulbert, of the U. S. Air Service."
Ralph went on to explain what a marvelous little flyer Miss Carlton
was, until Linda's eyelids fluttered in embarrassment, and she wished
he would stop talking so that she could hear some of the Lieutenant's
experiences. But the music had started, and Ralph was impatient to
dance.
"We mustn't keep Lieutenant Hulbert," he explained. "He's to have Kit's
first dance."
With a gracious bow the young officer withdrew, and Ralph turned to
Harry.
"Do me a favor, Harry, old man?" he said.
"Did you call him Harriman?" asked Linda. "Why all the dignity?"
"No. 'Harry--old--man!'"
"So long as you don't call me 'the old Harry,'" laughed the other.
"Well, what is it?"
"Lend me your girl friend for this dance. I have something very
important to tell to Linda."
"All right," agreed the other, pleasantly. "At least if you'll find me
another girl."
"Sure I will," said Ralph, and in another minute he came back with
Louise Haydock, Linda's chum.
Louise was just the opposite in type to Linda. Though not exactly
pretty, she was extremely striking-looking; her hair was clipped
close, after the manner of Kay Francis, the actress, and she always
wore earrings and bright colored dresses. Tonight her dress was a new
brilliant shade of green, with trimmings of silver, and silver slippers
to match.
"Hello, darling!" she exclaimed, joyfully. "Who'd ever think I'd find
you! It's almost as impossible to locate anybody here as on the beach
at Atlantic City!"
"I know. And I've been dying to see you!" returned Linda.
"All your own fault. Where have you been these last two days?"
"Why----"
"Please have your visit later," interrupted Ralph, who still preserved
much of the spoiled child in his make-up. "The dance is half over now."
"All right," agreed Linda, with a wink, meaning, "See you later," to
her chum.
Off they started; the floor was perfect, the music excellent, and for
a minute or two they both gave themselves up to the joy of the dance.
But time was precious; Ralph might not have another dance with Linda
all evening. Besides, nobody cut in during the first dance--that was an
unwritten rule with their crowd.
"Who is this Lieutenant?" asked Linda, as they happened to pass him
dancing with Kitty.
"A fine fellow. The kind you girls fall for--uniform, and all that,"
replied Ralph, somewhat enviously. "But don't you fall for him! He
belongs to Kitty!"
"Kitty! But I thought she was practically engaged to Maurice Stetson?"
"That's all off. Stetson made one wisecrack too many, and it cracked
Sis's dream of happiness. He isn't even here tonight."
"I can't say I'll miss him a whole lot."
"I always liked the fellow. But I'm rooming with another chap this
year. You'll probably meet him at Thanksgiving."
"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.