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JANE, STEWARDESS OF THE AIR LINES
JANE
STEWARDESS OF THE AIR LINES
By
Ruthe S. Wheeler
THE GOLDSMITH PUBLISHING COMPANY
CHICAGO
Copyright, 1934
The Goldsmith Publishing Company
PRINTED IN THE U.S.A.
CONTENTS
CHAPTER PAGE
I Graduation Night 11
II Opportunity Knocks 18
III Adventure Ahead 28
IV An Emergency Case 36
V With Flying Colors 45
VI Westward Flight 56
VII Crash Landing 66
VIII Winning Their Wings 77
IX At Mrs. Murphy's 84
X Jane's First Call 97
XI An Unexpected Delay 105
XII Alarming News 113
XIII The Black Plane 121
XIV Page One News 132
XV "Hello Heroine" 141
XVI Through the Fog 151
XVII An Ultimatum to Mattie 159
XVIII Sue Plays Detective 168
XIX Needed--One Pilot 174
XX Down in Flames 184
XXI Too Much Action 193
XXII Promotion for Jane 205
XXIII White Madness 220
XXIV Dangerous Passengers 229
XXV On Desperate Wings 237
Jane, Stewardess of the Air Lines
Chapter One
Graduation Night
Jane Cameron looked breathlessly around the room where seventeen senior
nurses of the Good Samaritan hospital at University City sat primly
awaiting their diplomas. It was graduation night and Jane was among the
seventeen who had completed all of the requirements for a certificate
in nurses' training.
Delayed half an hour by an emergency case on third floor surgery, Jane
had just slipped into the room and taken the remaining chair on the end
of the line.
Dr. Albert Anthony, trim, energetic young head of the staff, was
speaking. Beside him was the little white stack of diplomas, all of
them rolled and tied with blue and white ribbon. Doctor Anthony's sharp
voice was informing the student nurses that they were about to embark
on careers of their own. Jane smiled a bit grimly.
She wondered just what career was ahead of her. The girl next in line
turned and a fleeting suggestion of a smile hovered about her lips. She
was Sue Hawley, friend and companion of Jane through the long, arduous
months of training.
"Here's hoping he'll tell us where we can get jobs," whispered Sue, the
words so close-clipped that it was almost impossible to detect her lips
moving.
Jane nodded. That was the one big problem facing most of the girls who
were graduating from nurses' training at Good Samaritan. As for
herself, she had no idea what she would be doing after the following
noon when she stepped through the doors of the great hospital.
Doctor Anthony finished his speech and the nurses applauded politely.
He picked up the diplomas and called the roll of graduates. As her name
was called, each girl stepped forward, her stiffly starched skirts
swishing, and received the tube of paper.
Queer shivers chased themselves up and down Jane's back. For three
years she had been working toward this moment and now that it was at
hand she suddenly felt cheated. Perhaps it was because she was grasping
so desperately for something to do after she left the hospital.
Sue's name was called and she stepped forward and received her diploma.
Jane was the last and she walked slowly toward the rostrum. A mist
clouded her eyes and her hand shook as she accepted the diploma. It
meant cutting loose from the old routine, leaving the firmly
established and venturing out alone.
Jane wouldn't have admitted, even to Sue, that she was _scared_, for
she was far too proud.
Then the program was over. Parents hastened up to congratulate their
daughters and Jane and Sue drifted away from the others. Their homes
were in a neighboring state and it had been too far for their own
fathers and mothers to make the trip.
Sue looked down at her diploma. She was slender, blond, with sparkling
blue eyes and peach-bloom complexion.
"Wonder if I'll ever have this framed?" she sighed. "Right now I've
just exactly $2 and I'm not going to send an SOS home for money unless
I get down to my last penny."
"I've a little more," confessed Jane, tucking a wisp of wavy, brown
hair back under her prim little cap. "To be exact, there's $4.23 in my
purse and I don't want to ask the folks at home for anything if I can
help it."
Jane was a bit taller than Sue and her brown eyes matched the color of
her hair. They had stuck by each other through all of the tribulations
of nurses' training; now, though both hesitated to mention it, each
feared that graduation would terminate their close companionship.
Miss Hardy, the supervisor of nurses, broke away from another group and
joined them.
"Drop in at my office before you go to the dorm for the night," she
said. Before she could explain what she wanted, an intern stepped into
the room and called her away on an emergency case.
Rules had been lifted for graduation night and a kindly theater
manager, realizing how little spending money most of the girls had,
sent up passes for his show.
Jane and Sue slipped out of the assembly room, diplomas in hand.
Hurrying to the dormitory on fourth floor back, they changed from their
uniforms into street clothes and a few minutes later were on their way
down town, the towering bulk of Good Samaritan with its scores of
shaded lights behind them.
The show proved entertaining and they passed a pleasant two hours at
the theater. On their way home, Sue slackened her pace in front of a
drug store and looked longingly at the gleaming soda fountain inside.
"Feel the urge of a chocolate soda?" asked Jane, who knew her friend's
weakness.
"It's practically irresistible," confessed Sue.
"Then let's celebrate. The treat's on me for I'm at least two dollars
richer than you."
The sodas were delicious and the newly graduated nurses sipped them in
luxurious leisure.
"My, but it's going to seem good not to have to jump every time a bell
clangs," said Sue.
"I don't know about that. I'm so used to bells I'm afraid I'll miss
them just a little bit," Jane said.
"What do you suppose Miss Hardy wants?"
"Maybe it's about a job."
"Don't worry. If there was anything like that in sight, she'd give it
to one of her pets. We'd never have a chance," said Sue bitterly.
Jane and Sue had steadfastly refused to court the favor of the
supervisor of nurses and as a result many unnecessary little tasks had
been heaped on their shoulders. It had been just enough to arouse their
determination, and they had finished near the top of the class despite
the apparent prejudice of the supervisor.
It was nearly midnight when Jane and Sue pushed open the double doors
of Good Samaritan. Only the night lights illumined the halls and the
strained quiet which pervades a hospital at night had settled down over
the building.
The elevator boy had left his post half an hour before and they walked
the four flights of stairs to fourth floor back where the nurses lived.
Most of the girls were in the dormitory and the hall was almost
deserted as they neared the office of the supervisor. The door was
closed and they knocked discreetly. An irritated, tired voice bade them
enter. Jane opened the door.
Miss Hardy's cold, blue eyes held little welcome for her visitors as
she peered up at them through steel-rimmed spectacles.
"You asked us to stop here before we went to bed," Sue reminded her.
"Oh, yes. So I did. It's a pity you couldn't have come in a little
earlier."
"It isn't often that we have a night off and passes to see a show,"
replied Jane tartly.
Miss Hardy made no comment, but shuffled through a pile of papers at
one corner of her desk. She selected a letter and scanned it rapidly.
"Either one of you girls decided what you'll do when you leave
tomorrow?" she asked.
"I haven't been able to learn of a single job," said Jane, "and Sue has
been no more successful."
"Then here is something that might interest you."
Miss Hardy tossed the letter across the desk. Jane looked at the
letterhead and her eyes blurred. It bore the name of the personnel
manager of the Federated Airways.
Chapter Two
Opportunity Knocks
The pulses of the young nurses quickened as they read the letter and
they hardly heard Miss Hardy saying, "Of course, I haven't had time to
fully investigate this company and it seems a little foolhardy for any
young woman of common sense to seek such work."
That was typical of Miss Hardy. She was so conservative that anything
new seemed foolish.
Jane read the letter rapidly and Sue, looking over her shoulder, kept
pace with her. It was from Hubert Speidel, personnel manager of
Federated Airways.
"My dear Miss Hardy," the letter began. "For some time Federated
Airways has been considering a plan to improve its service to
passengers and to provide even further for their welfare and comfort
while they are guests aboard our transport planes. We have come to the
conclusion that the addition of a stewardess to our flying crews is
essential and at present we are contacting young women who might be
interested in this work. Our first requirement is that the prospective
stewardess be a graduate nurse. Hence, this letter is directed to you.
"I have consulted a number of eminent physicians and they have highly
recommended the nurses' training school of Good Samaritan hospital for
the high calibre of young women who are graduated. I will appreciate
your contacting any of the girls who might be interested in joining our
air line as stewardesses. On your recommendation, we will provide
passage for them to come to Chicago where they will undergo the
necessary examinations. Girls who weigh more than 120 pounds or who are
more than five feet four inches tall can not be used."
Sue looked expectantly at Jane when they finished the letter.
"Well, what do you think of that?" she asked.
"I think it's a great opportunity," replied Jane. "It's a real chance
to get into a new field for girls. Air travel is developing rapidly and
perhaps we can grow with it."
Jane handed the letter back to Miss Hardy.
"It seems to me like a very dangerous type of work," the supervisor of
nurses said.
"I don't think it would be any more dangerous than the everyday things
we do. I've noticed advertisements of the Federated Airways. Their
planes have flown thirty-five million miles without a fatal injury to a
passenger. If I can go that far without getting hurt very seriously,
I'll consider myself lucky."
"You've always been lucky," retorted Miss Hardy, as a seldom-seen smile
flickered over her face.
"I guess both of you have thought me pretty much of a tyrant," she went
on, removing the spectacles and smoothing back her straight,
grey-streaked hair. "I'll admit I've been unnecessarily harsh with you
on occasions, but it was all a part of my system. Some day you'll thank
me for it for you are the best young nurses Good Samaritan has turned
out in many a year."
"But, Miss Hardy," protested Sue, "we thought you had a grudge against
us. Usually we had all of the mean little things to do."
"I know, but I was just testing the kind of spirit you had. You came
through fighting a hundred per cent and even now, when I spoke
discouragingly of this possible work with the air line, you showed your
determination. I am convinced that this is a real opportunity and I
should have been greatly disappointed if you had not shown a keen
interest in its possibilities."
Miss Hardy's eyes were twinkling and Jane and Sue were astonished.
Behind the hard, outer shell of the martinet they had known beamed now
a very warm and friendly personality. For the first time in three years
they felt they really knew Miss Hardy and each was a little ashamed of
the harsh things they had said about the supervisor.
"Are you both interested in going to Chicago and personally applying
for positions with the Federated system?" asked the supervisor.
Jane and Sue replied in unison and Miss Hardy picked up the telephone
directory and after ascertaining the number of the local field of the
Federated line, dialed the airport.
The night operations manager answered and Miss Hardy informed him that
she had two graduate nurses who needed transportation to Chicago for an
interview with the personnel officer.
"When do you think we'll go in?" Sue whispered to the supervisor.
"That will depend on when there is space," replied Miss Hardy. "I
expect that since you will be traveling on passes it will be a day or
two."
Sue thought of the small sum in cash she had and wondered just how she
would subsist in Chicago if she failed to get the job as stewardess.
Miss Hardy jotted several notations on the pad beside her phone,
thanked the operations manager, and looked up at the girls.
"The first plane eastbound for Chicago with room for you will be
through at three o'clock this morning. That will get you there shortly
after seven. Can you get ready by that time?"
"We can be ready in half an hour," gasped Jane.
"I thought you could. That's why I told the operations manager to
arrange for your passage on the three o'clock plane."
"I'll have to finish packing," said Sue.
Miss Hardy looked at the clock.
"It's midnight now. If I were you I'd go to the dorm and go to bed.
Sleep until two o'clock. I'll come in and call you in plenty of time to
get dressed and get to the airport. Don't pack anything except what
you'll need for a night or two. If you secure the positions with
Federated Airways, you can write to me and I'll have your things sent
in."
"That's kind of you. Thanks so much," said Jane.
"I'm just making up, a bit, for the grind I put you through in the last
three years. Now get along to bed and don't wake the rest of the girls
by talking. A couple of hours of sleep will be the best for both of
you. I'll call you in plenty of time."
Jane and Sue left the supervisor's office and hurried down the hall.
"What do you think of it?" asked Sue.
"First of all, I think Miss Hardy's an old dear, and as for the chance
to become a stewardess, my vote is unanimous."
"So is mine, but I've never been up in a plane before. I'm going to be
just a little nervous."
"I've never been up, either," confessed Jane, "but it certainly won't
be any worse than riding in an express elevator. Why, the pit just
drops out of my stomach every time I get in one of those things."
They entered the dormitory and went quickly to their own beds. They
undressed in the dark and hung their clothes in the lockers which stood
at the head of each bed.
Jane slipped between the cool, crisp sheets and closed her eyes. But
sleep did not come readily. She was too tense, too excited at the
events of the last few minutes.
Earlier in the evening she had been wondering, a little desperately,
just what she would do. Now there was a fair chance that she would
become one of the pioneers in this new profession for girls. And Sue
was going with her. That was what made Jane supremely happy. It would
have been tragic to disrupt the bonds of friendship that had grown so
close through the trying days of their training.
Then there was Miss Hardy. What a revelation she had been. Jane smiled
as she recalled the friendly look in Miss Hardy's eyes. After all, the
supervisor had been doing the best thing for them even though many of
the tasks she had placed on their shoulders during training had been
extremely disagreeable.
Jane wondered what her father and mother would say if she got the job
in Chicago. It might take more than a little diplomacy to win them over
to her side.
In the next bed, Sue was breathing regularly and deeply and a little
later Jane's tensed nerves relaxed and she slept. It seemed as though
she had been asleep for only a minute when Miss Hardy shook her gently
and whispered, "It's two o'clock and I have lunch ready in my office."
Sue was already dressing, and Jane hurried into her clothes.
Jane had a pretty brown suit with beret to match while Sue wore a
two-piece dress of heavy blue crepe. She had a spring coat of similar
material and a close-fitting toque, also of blue crepe.
They tip-toed to the door of the dormitory and looked back for just a
moment. This had been their home for three long years and there was
just a touch of heartache as they stepped into the hall and Sue pulled
the door shut.
Miss Hardy was waiting for them in her office. Spread on top of her
desk was an appetizing lunch which the supervisor had prepared in the
tiny kitchen which adjoined her office. There was a large plate of
sandwiches and cups of hot chocolate.
"You shouldn't have gone to all this trouble," protested Jane.
"It wasn't any trouble. I wanted to do it for I want you to have
pleasant memories of Good Samaritan."
"We're going to take away a very pleasant memory of you," promised Sue,
as she finished a sandwich.
"I have written my own recommendation and a letter of introduction for
you and I am also enclosing Mr. Speidel's letter," said Miss Hardy.
"This should insure your seeing him tomorrow morning in Chicago. I'll
be anxious to know the outcome."
"We'll telegraph," promised Sue. Then, remembering how little actual
cash she had, she added, "That is, we'll try to telegraph you."
Miss Hardy smiled for she knew how little money most of the girls had
when they left training school.
They finished the lunch just as the horn of a taxicab squalled in the
street below.
"There's your cab. It's a fifteen-minute ride to the airport. You'll
have to hurry."
Miss Hardy handed the letter of recommendation to Jane, who folded it
and placed it in her purse. They hurried downstairs, the girls carrying
the small week-end bags with them.
Miss Hardy walked to the cab with them. Farewells were brief.
"I know you'll both make good," said Miss Hardy. Then she turned and
hurried back inside the sheltering walls of Good Samaritan.
The cab lurched ahead, gaining speed rapidly as the driver headed for
the airport.
Jane and Sue settled back on the worn leather cushions. In another half
hour they would be aboard an eastbound transport plane, speeding toward
Chicago. Their hospital days were definitely behind them and new
careers, holding the promise of great adventure, were ahead.
Chapter Three
Adventure Ahead
The cab sped through the sleeping city. The business district was soon
left behind and the paved road bordered the Wapsipinicon river, which
skirted the south edge of University City. The road swung across the
river and ahead of them gleamed the red, green and white lights which
marked the boundary of the airport of Federated Airways.
The taxi slowed and drew to a halt in front of the administration
building. The driver helped Jane and Sue from the cab. Jane opened her
purse to pay the fare from her slender funds, but the driver waved the
money away.
"Miss Hardy at the hospital said to charge it to her account," he said,
and Jane and Sue were given another glimpse of the warm heart which
beat beneath the grim exterior of the supervisor of nurses.
The driver led them into the waiting room and left their bags there.
Jane looked around. It was her first visit to the administration
building, although she had been at the field a number of times.
The waiting room was furnished with modernistic wicker pieces. Soft tan
drapes were at the windows and a rug of tan and black squares covered
the floor. At a large table in the center was a neat stack of magazines
while at a buffet along one wall was a silver tea service.
The ticket office opened to the right and Jane stepped up to the
window. The night manager looked up from his desk.
"We are the nurses from Good Samaritan that Miss Hardy phoned about.
We're to go out on the eastbound plane for Chicago," she explained.
The night manager swung around to his ticket rack and made out the
passes for their transportation to Chicago. He was efficient but
pleasant.
"You'll have to sign permits releasing the system from liability in
case of accident. Of course this isn't required from regular
passengers, but you are traveling free."
Both Jane and Sue signed the papers he placed before them.
"I'm making out round trip passes," he said. "In case you don't get the
jobs, you'll be able to get back here."
Jane wasn't sure there was much consolation in that for there was
probably more chance of getting a job in Chicago than in University
City.
The night manager stepped into the dispatcher's office to inquire the
position of the eastbound plane.
"Your ship will be here in about nine minutes. How about baggage?"
"We have small pieces," replied Sue.
The baggage was weighed, checked and placed on a small cart to be
wheeled into the hangar when the plane arrived.
The dispatcher stuck his head out of the operations room.
"Charlie Fischer wants the flood light," he said.
Jane wondered who Charlie Fischer was and just why he wanted the flood
light, but to the field manager that message appeared important for he
hurried into the hangar. A moment later a flood of blue light
illuminated the field and the drone of engines could be heard.
Lights flashed on in the hangar and Jane and Sue left the waiting room.
Two stars appeared to be descending out of the west and the hulk of a
great tri-motor biplane drifted into the brilliant light of the field.
The plane settled gently and rolled smoothly along the crushed-rock
runway. Its motors boomed as the pilot swung it into the hangar.
Jane and Sue looked at the big ship apprehensively. It didn't seem
possible that the three motors could lift the great plane off the
ground and hurl it through the air at two miles a minute.
The ground crew wheeled the portable steps up to the cabin and the
pilot and co-pilot came down. They were young, clean-cut chaps.
The pilot hastened into the operations room to obtain the latest
reports on the weather between University City and Chicago while the
co-pilot supervised the refueling.
Jane saw the baggage cart wheeled alongside the plane and their bags
disappeared into the forward hold. Then the night manager was at their
side.
"You have seats eight and nine, which places you together on the right
side of the ship. This way, please."
The girls followed him across the concrete floor and into the spacious
cabin. Lights inside were turned low for several of the passengers were
dozing.
Jane was amazed at the roomy interior. Along the right side was a
double row of comfortable reclining chairs, very much like those in a
railroad coach. There was a single row along the left side, with the
aisle running the length of the cabin. Overhead were baggage racks for
parcels and wearing apparel and there were individual lights for each
chair.
A shaded light in the bulkhead ahead revealed two dials, one marked air
speed and the other altitude. A door led forward to the baggage and
pilot's compartment while a door at the rear opened onto a tiny pantry
and a lavatory.
Jane counted the seats. There was room for fourteen in the cabin and
counting themselves, twelve passengers were now aboard.
Chairs eight and nine were almost at the rear of the cabin and Jane and
Sue settled into the seats. The night manager handed them each a small,
sealed envelope.
"Here's your traveling packet of gum and cotton. Better put the cotton
in your ears. The noise is a little bad the first few minutes. If you
think the altitude will affect your ears, chew gum while you're going
up. Will you want a blanket so you can sleep?"
"I should say not," replied Sue. "I'm going to see everything there is
to see."
The pilots re-entered the plane and walked up the aisle to disappear
through the forward door. The cabin door was closed and made fast and
the three motors came to life with a thundering roar. The big ship
vibrated strongly as one motor after the other was tested until the
chief pilot was sure they were ready for the four-hour flight to
Chicago.
The huge biplane moved slowly as the pilot taxied it out of the hangar.
Then the tail was flipped around and the plane headed down the long
runway.
The night was shattered with the powerful beat of the engines and blue
tongues of flame licked around the exhausts of the wing motors.
Sue, who was next to the window, reached over and gripped Jane's hand.
Both girls had stuffed cotton in their ears and both were chewing
energetically on the gum.
With rapidly increasing speed the plane rolled down the smooth runway.
The ground flashed by at an amazing speed and before either Jane or Sue
realized it, the transport was winging its way over the edge of the
field.
The flood light below came on, outlining the entire airport with its
penetrating brilliance. The pilot banked the great biplane gently and
headed away into the east.
The roar of the motors filled the cabin but, by leaning close, Jane and
Sue were able to talk.
"Scared?" asked Jane.
"Not now, but my heart was in my mouth when we started. How about you?"
"I guess I felt the same way, but now it seems as though flying was the
most ordinary thing in the world."
The lights of University City faded and the transport bored east into
the night. Jane watched the dials on the bulkhead. The indicator for
air speed pointed to 110 miles an hour while the altimeter showed they
were now 1,200 feet above ground.
In a pocket at the rear of the chair ahead was a folding map which
showed the route of Federated Airways from Chicago to the west coast
and Jane and Sue scanned this with intense interest. Each city and
emergency landing field was marked, with a brief description printed on
the map.
Chapter Four
An Emergency Case
Dawn came as the tri-motor sped over the level farm lands of Iowa.
Passengers who had been dozing roused themselves to watch the sun shoot
over the horizon.
The night mists were dispelled and the fresh greenness of the corn belt
in spring was unfolded below them. Wisps of smoke rose from the
chimneys of farmhouses as breakfast was prepared and Jane and Sue,
looking down, saw farmers about their chores in the farmyards.
There was a brief pause at Bellevue for refueling and then the big ship
sped away on the last leg of the flight to Chicago. In another hour and
a half Jane and Sue would be in the Windy City.
An elderly man two seats ahead and on the aisle had caught Jane's
attention and she watched him closely. His face was pale and he
appeared slightly ill. Perhaps the motion of the plane was unsettling,
she thought. The flight would be over in a short time.
Jane's attention went back to the panorama below and for several
minutes she paid no attention to the man ahead. When she looked at him
again, she felt genuine alarm and she leaned close to Sue to speak.
"Unless I'm badly mistaken, the man two seats ahead is mighty sick."
Sue looked ahead and her eyes widened.
"He's pale as a ghost. Can't we do something?" Jane nodded and rose
from her chair. It wasn't any of her business, really, but there might
be something she could do. She stepped forward and leaned down.
"You look ill," she said. "I'm a trained nurse. Is there anything I can
do?"
The stricken man managed to smile and his eyes spoke his thanks. Jane
bent low so he could speak directly into her ear.
"Appendicitis, I fear. I've had it before, but never an attack as
severe as this. How long before we'll be in Chicago?"
"Not long," replied Jane. "I'll see if I can't find something to make
you more comfortable."
Jane hastened back to Sue.
"It's appendicitis," she said. "Let's see if we can find anything in
the pantry to make into a compress or fix up an ice bottle. That may
help check the inflammation until we get to Chicago."
While the other passengers looked on a little startled, the girls went
back to the pantry.
"Here's a bottle of cold water," said Sue.
"I've found some towels. We'll make some cold compresses."
Some one tapped her on the shoulder just then and she turned around to
look into the stern face of the co-pilot.
"Passengers are not allowed here," he said. "You'll have to go back to
your seats."
Sue started to make a sharp reply, but Jane silenced her.
"The man in No. 4 is suffering from an attack of appendicitis," she
explained. "We're trained nurses and thought we might find something
here we could use to relieve the pain until we get to Chicago."
The grim expression on the co-pilot's face vanished.
"Why didn't you say so?"
"You didn't give us a chance," retorted Sue.
"Do you think his condition is serious?" the flyer asked Jane.
"He's pretty sick right now and he's not a young man by any means. If
you can send word ahead some way to have an ambulance waiting at the
field, that will help."
"I'll get a radio off at once. Is there anything I can do?"
"No, we'll do everything possible," Jane told him.
"The other passengers seem to be a little alarmed," said Sue. "I'm
going to tell them just what's up."
"Good idea. I'll have the compresses ready when you come back."
Sue went along the cabin and stopped to tell each passenger just what
was the matter with the elderly man in No. 4. Everyone was sympathetic,
but there was nothing they could do to help.
The girls made the stricken man as comfortable as possible and changed
the cold packs frequently. It seemed to Jane as though the engines were
droning along at a higher pitch and a glance at the air-speed indicator
revealed that they were traveling 135 miles an hour.
They passed over Aurora and Jane knew they would soon be in Chicago.
The co-pilot came back.
"How's he getting along?" he asked Jane.
"He's much more comfortable. Did you get a message through?"
"An ambulance is waiting at the field right now. Gosh, but I'm glad you
girls were along. You ought to apply for jobs with the company. They're
going to put on a bunch of girls as stewardesses."
"That's just exactly why we're on this plane."
"Then this bit of first aid won't hurt you in getting a job," grinned
the co-pilot.
He ducked back into the forward compartment and a few minutes later the
plane swung over the municipal airport, Chicago headquarters of the
Federated Airways.
Word had been flashed around the field that the incoming plane was
bringing in a sick man, and the ship was given the right of way over
all other planes.
Jane and Sue were too much interested in their patient to feel the
slightest discomfort as the plane landed and rolled along the concrete
ramp.
Sue hurried the other passengers out and an ambulance backed up to the
plane.
"I'm deeply grateful," whispered their patient, as he was lifted from
the plane to the ambulance.
A white-garbed intern waved to the driver and with its siren clearing
a path, the ambulance sped away.
Jane smiled at her companion.
"I wonder who he was? I forgot to ask his name."
"I was too busy to think about that," confessed Sue. "Perhaps we'll see
him again if we are fortunate enough to secure positions on the air
line."
The chief pilot of their plane paused beside them.
"That was fine, level-headed work," he said. "You girls did exactly the
right thing. I'm mighty glad the line is going to add a trained nurse
as stewardess on all of the passenger runs. The co-pilot said you were
going to apply."
"We hope to see Mr. Speidel, the personnel director, today," said Jane.
The chief pilot glanced at his wrist watch.
"It's just seven-thirty. Mr. Speidel won't be here for another hour.
Tell you what. Let's have breakfast together here at the field and then
I'll see that you have an interview with Mr. Speidel as soon as he
reaches the field. Believe me, I'm grateful for what you girls did on
the flight in."
Jane hesitated a second, but Sue accepted enthusiastically.
"That's fine. I've got to see that the ship is berthed properly. I'll
meet you in the waiting room."
The lanky flyer hurried away and Jane and Sue went into the waiting
room.
"Do you think we ought to have accepted the invitation?" asked Jane.
"Yes. If we get on as stewardesses, we'll have to know all of the
pilots fairly well. Besides, think what a free breakfast means to our
slender purses."
Jane smiled. "You would think of that."
A few minutes later the pilot of their ship rejoined them.
"Say, I forgot to introduce myself," he chuckled. "I'm Charlie
Fischer."
"And I'm Jane Cameron and my friend is Sue Hawley."
"Now that everything's in order and we know who's who, let's eat."
The flyer led the way into the modernistic restaurant which adjoined
the waiting room and they sat down at gleaming black and silver tables.
"The sky's the limit," advised their new friend and Jane and Sue added
bacon to their usual breakfast of toast and fruit.
"Do you know very much about the plans for using stewardesses?" asked
Jane.
"Only the talk that's heard along the system. With passenger traffic
getting heavier all of the time, some step must be taken to have a
member of the crew in the cabin where the needs of the passengers can
be looked after. I think selecting trained nurses is a mighty good
idea."
"Have any girls been hired?" Sue wanted to know.
"Not yet. I think today is the first on which Mr. Speidel is to have
interviews with candidates."
"Is he nice?" persisted Sue.
"He's not half bad and I'm certainly going to give both of you the best
possible recommendation. Have either of you flown much before?"
"This was our first trip," said Jane.
Charlie Fischer whistled softly. "Well, you certainly are a cool pair.
I hope you're assigned to my crew."
They finished breakfast and the chief pilot walked with them to the
nearby administration building.
The field was roaring with activity. Planes were at the ramp being
loaded with mail and express, ready for swift dashes to almost every
point of the compass. Passengers were saying hasty farewells to
friends, and porters, laden with baggage, hurried from taxis to the
planes. It was a fascinating picture and Jane knew that she would
thoroughly enjoy being a part of it.
Chapter Five
With Flying Colors
Charlie Fischer took Jane and Sue up to the second floor of the
administration building. They entered a broad hall with chairs ranged
along each wall and in every chair was a girl.
Jane's heart sank for she knew instantly that every one of them was
there to apply for the position of stewardess. Sue looked at her and
somehow managed a brave smile.
"There's going to be plenty of competition," she whispered.
Charlie Fischer glanced at the double row of girls waiting to be called
into the office of the personnel director.
"Wait here," he told Jane and Sue. "I'll see if we can't manage to slip
through ahead of the rest."
Jane and Sue sat down in the last two chairs along the hall and Jane
looked at their competitors. The girls were all about her own age, most
of them very attractive to look upon. They were trim and capable and
had the calm bearing which their training had instilled.
A secretary came down the hall, taking the names and addresses of each
girl. Finally she reached Jane and Sue and they gave their names.
"What is your Chicago address?" she asked.
"We just arrived," explained Jane, "and hope to see Mr. Speidel this
morning."
"I'm afraid you won't be able to see him today. There are all those
girls ahead of you," the secretary advised.
Jane's spirits ebbed but she went on determinedly.
"I have a letter here from the supervisor of nurses at Good Samaritan
hospital at University City," she said. "Mr. Speidel wrote to her
asking that she recommend several girls for this work."
"Yes, I know. Mr. Speidel wrote to a number of supervisors. Almost
every girl here has her recommendation from a supervisor, but I'm
afraid you'll have to wait your turn."
The secretary returned to her desk at the head of the hall and several
minutes later the first two girls at the head of the line were called
into the office of the personnel director.
"Looks like our flying friend has forgotten all about us," said Sue
when half an hour had elapsed and there was no sign of Charlie Fischer.
Jane nodded a bit dismally.
Slowly the girls were called into the office and Jane knew that there
was little chance she and Sue would have an interview that day.
It was nearly an hour later when Charlie Fischer reappeared and instead
of coming out of the personnel director's office, he came up the stairs
which led to the ramp. In his hand was a typed report.
"Think I'd forgotten all about you?"
"We had almost given up hope," conceded Jane.
"I had quite an argument with Mr. Speidel about seeing you girls out of
turn. He's a stickler for detail and fair play and is afraid that if
you are taken in ahead of the others they may feel he is playing
favorites."
Jane nodded. She could understand that and she didn't want to start
work, if they secured the positions, under a handicap of resentment by
the other girls.
"I didn't argue long enough to make him mad," said the flyer, "but
skipped out the back way and went down to get a complete report on our
flight in. I also checked the hospital to find out about your patient.
He's getting along fine, thanks to the emergency treatment you were
able to give him. Now I'm going to hand these reports in and we'll see
what happens."
The lanky flyer hurried down the hall and went into the personnel
director's office. In less than five minutes he opened the door and
beckoned for Jane and Sue to join him.
The young nurses smoothed their dresses and gave their hair a final pat
as they hurried down the hall.
The office of the personnel director was large and, like the entire
administration building of Federated Airways, was furnished in a
modernistic style. One whole wall was of glass, giving a wonderful view
of the entire field.
The personnel director looked up from the typed report he had been
scanning. He was short and stocky, with dark, close-cropped hair and a
heavy face, but his eyes were pleasant and he greeted them warmly.
"I've just finished reading the complete report of the fine piece of
work you did coming in on trip No. 6 this morning. Charlie tells me
neither of you had flown before."
"It was our first trip," admitted Jane.
"Then I must say you were remarkably cool-headed under the
circumstances. Do you have a letter from your supervisor?"
Jane handed him the envelope from Miss Hardy and he read the letter of
commendation thoroughly.
"Your supervisor thinks rather highly of you," smiled Mr. Speidel when
he finished. "Do you really think you'd like flying?"
He shot the question at them unexpectedly.
"There's danger, there's a lot of responsibility, and there's a great
deal of work at times," he went on. "You may be trapped in almost any
kind of weather--rain, snow, hail, sleet, fog. You must be calm and
resourceful and courageous. We demand a great deal of loyalty."
"We've thought the whole thing over," said Sue, "and decided we'd like
the work. Now, after the trip in from University City, we are certain
we are making no mistake."
"How about you, Miss Cameron?"
"I am sure I would like it," said Jane.
"Very well. We'll put you down on the tentatively accepted list. Final
acceptance will depend on your ability to qualify under our physical
requirements. You'll find the office of Dr. Emma Perkins at the other
end of the hall. Give her this card and she'll put you through the
routine. If you pass, return here at three o'clock." When they emerged
from the office of the personnel director, a little breathless and
flushed, it was nearly lunch time.
"I'd like to treat you to lunch," said Charlie Fischer, "but I've got
to get down town."
"Thanks a lot for all you've done," said Jane. "We'll do our best to
pass the rest of the examinations."
"You'll come out all right," prophesied their new friend.
Jane and Sue went down to the restaurant on the main floor where they
ate a leisurely lunch. Outside planes were landing and taking off and a
constant crowd swirled along the ramp and through the waiting room.
Already the tempo of the whole thing had gotten deep into their blood.
"I'll be terribly disappointed if we don't pass the physical tests,"
confessed Sue.
"Don't worry about that. We're in perfect health."
At one o'clock they reported at the office of Dr. Perkins and were
taken into the examination room at once. Doctor Perkins, small and
business-like, put them through the regular routine.
"Humph," she said as she checked the results. "If all girls were as
healthy as you two, there would be little for doctors to do."
"Then you mean we've passed all right?" asked Sue anxiously.
"Your physical report will be 96 per cent, which is unusually high.
Take your cards back to Mr. Speidel's office."
When Sue and Jane returned to the other end of the hall the line of
girls had thinned. They presented their health cards to the secretary
and were admitted almost at once to the office.
"It looks like I'm about to sign two more stewardesses," he smiled as
he took their cards. His eyes widened as he read the final report.
"Why, this is rather remarkable. Doctor Perkins is pretty much of a
stickler for detail. A 96 mark from her is about 99 from any other
examiner."
The personnel officer took two blanks from a pile at one corner of his
desk.
"Now we'll get down to the serious business of enrolling you for the
stewardess service," he said.
"You mean we've really got the jobs?" asked Jane.
"You certainly have. Your pay starts today with a salary of $125 a
month and uniforms furnished by the system. Does that sound
attractive?"
"It's more than attractive," smiled Sue.
In less than ten minutes they were formally enrolled as members of the
Federated Airways' stewardess service.
"We've signed a dozen girls, including you two, and are sending them
all west to Cheyenne tonight aboard a special plane. Uniforms are being
made here. Take a company taxi and go to the Barclay Tailors on North
Michigan Avenue. They are outfitting all of the girls. Be back at the
field at five o'clock. Miss Comstock, who is chief of the stewardess
service, will be here. Report to her at this office."
"Thank you very much, Mr. Speidel," said Jane.
"We'll do our best," promised Sue.
They were in a cab and speeding toward the loop before they relaxed,
for the strain of the last few hours had been terrific for both girls.
Sue's eyes filled with tears and Jane felt her own throat choke up.
With their funds so low, securing the positions with the Federated
Airways had been essential and now that it was no longer a dream, it
was hard to believe.
"Would you mind pinching me to see if I am awake?" said Sue, dabbing at
her eyes with a handkerchief.
"We're awake all right," said Jane as the cab struck a bad bump and
threw them to the ceiling. The meter was clicking up an astonishing
taxi bill and Sue stared at it questioningly.
"Maybe we'd better get out and take a street car down town," she
suggested.
"Don't be silly. This is a Federated Airways cab. It won't cost us a
cent and the driver will come around and take us back to the field when
we're ready."
"How do you know?" Sue asked suspiciously.
"Because I took the time and had the good sense to inquire at the
ticket office. When I told them we were new stewardesses they gave me a
card entitling us to round-trip transportation to the loop in a company
cab."
"I didn't see you do that," protested Sue.
"No, you were too busy watching the plane coming in from the west."
At the tailors they were measured for trim serge suits of a
smoke-green. Berets of the same material and color were furnished.
The fitting required an hour and the tailors promised to have the suits
in Cheyenne within the week.
"What do you think of the uniforms?" Jane asked as they left the
tailors.
"I love them. They're so trim and business-like, yet feminine at the
same time. What a contrast to a nurse's uniform."
Jane was willing to admit that the neat, serge suits would be much more
comfortable than the primly starched outfits they had been accustomed
to wearing.
They had to wait a few minutes until the cab arrived and then they were
whirled rapidly toward the field on the outskirts of the city.
When they reached the airport, Jane went straight to the waiting room
and sat down at a writing table.
"Going to write home?" asked Sue.
"First of all I'm writing to Miss Hardy back at Good Samaritan. After
all, it was because of her interest that we managed to get these
positions. Then I'll dash off a letter home. There's half an hour
before we report to the chief stewardess."
"I wonder if the folks will object?" mused Sue as she sat down at the
other side of the desk and picked up a pen.
"I'm going to tell mine that Miss Hardy felt it an excellent
opportunity. They have great faith in her and I'm sure they'll not
protest."
Chapter Six
Westward Flight
It was shortly before five o'clock when Jane and Sue reported to Miss
Comstock at the office of the personnel director. By five o'clock all
of the girls who had been signed for the stewardess service were in the
office and Miss Comstock spoke to them briefly.
"When we arrive in Cheyenne," she explained, "you will go through a two
weeks' training course which I will conduct. The purpose of this is to
thoroughly familiarize you with your duties and to acquaint you with
the special geographical features of the line for, as stewardesses, you
must not only care for your passengers but be qualified to answer their
questions. I can assure you that they will ask a great many. While in
training at Cheyenne, you will make trips over the routes to which you
will be assigned. Since the stewardess service is to become effective
June 10th, you understand that we have much to do for I am counting on
you girls making a fine record on the line."
As Miss Comstock finished speaking, a huge tri-motor rolled up on the
ramp and Charlie Fischer stuck his head out to look for his passengers.
"Our plane is waiting. We'll have a late lunch in Omaha," said Miss
Comstock. "I suggest that on the way down you girls introduce
yourselves to one another."
With the chief stewardess leading the way, the girls trooped
downstairs. Just ahead of Jane and Sue were two girls about their own
age.
They turned around and introduced themselves. The taller one was Grace
Huston while the shorter one, a red-head, was Alice Blair.
"We took our training here in the county hospital," said Grace. "Are
you from Chicago?"
"No," replied Jane. "We flew in from University City this morning. We
graduated just last night from the training school at Good Samaritan
there."
"Well, that's certainly fast work," smiled Alice. "In less than
twenty-four hours you're starting on a new career."
"Twenty-four hours ago we didn't have any idea what we would be doing,"
confessed Sue.
"I'm excited about this position," said Grace. "Think of the thrill of
flying day and night through all kinds of weather!"
"I've thought all about it," replied her companion, "and it may be too
thrilling once in a while, but it's a job and a good paying one. How do
you like the uniforms?"
"They're fascinating," said Jane. "I can hardly wait until they are
delivered at Cheyenne."
"Which reminds me," put in Alice, "that I'd like to know what Cheyenne
is like."
Her question went unanswered for they had reached the tri-motor and
Miss Comstock hurried her charges inside. Jane and Sue were fortunate
to find a double seat and Grace and Alice sat directly behind them. The
last of the girls' baggage was placed aboard and the cabin door closed
and locked. The big ship trembled as Charlie Fischer opened the
throttle. Then it rolled smoothly down the ramp.
Other planes were being wheeled from their hangars and made ready for
the overnight runs. The great airport was almost at the height of its
daily rush.
Jane, next to the window, saw the dispatcher in his tower signal their
pilot to go ahead.
The motors roared lustily and the plane shot down the long runway,
lifted smoothly into the air, and started westward, boring into the
setting sun in a slow climb.
Chicago faded behind them as they sped over the fertile farm land of
Illinois.
Jane relaxed in the comfortable chair and closed her eyes. The nervous
strain of the last few hours had been terrific and she welcomed the
opportunity to rest and relax. Sue, likewise tired by the day, closed
her eyes and both girls dozed.
They were over the Mississippi at dusk with the lights of Clinton,
Iowa, visible to their right. Then the plane sped on above the rich
acres of Iowa. Below them the headlights of automobiles dotted the
highways and an occasional cluster of lights marked a village. Then a
field blazed into blue-white incandescence and the beat of the motors
slowed.
Miss Comstock came down the aisle and Sue asked her their location.
"We're landing at Iowa City to refuel. We'll stay there about ten
minutes. You can get out and walk about the hangar if you like."
There were only a few people at the airport when the tri-motor rolled
into the hangar and the girls stepped out of the cabin.
"I'm getting hungry and Omaha is a long distance ahead," said Grace
Huston.
"There's a restaurant just a block away, by that old hangar," pointed
out Alice. "We could get a chocolate bar there. That should keep off
the wolf until Omaha."