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;
