style="font-size:15px;"> "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."
