The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-07
CHAPTER VI

CHAPTER VI
 After Roger had loaned Jackie his pocket handkerchief and apolo- gized profusely she explained she only cried when she was angry. Its because I thought your plan would work out 50 easily, the way you said it would" Jackie said, bit tremu- lously. And instead, it's bowling flop. Why, if we're not careful Mother will have us middle aisling to the tune of Lohengrin next month"
 Roger could think of worse things than that. But he, too, was learning his lessons from bitter experience. His face still stung. So he said, T told you I had something important to tell you. If 1t works out, as l hope 1t will, I think we can tailspin your mothers well-intentioned schemes. But, my love, we will have to put on an act if we are going to put over the idea that we are engaged. That's why" he added, throwing her a grin, q got slapped. I was only prac- ticing-get me?"
 "I get you. But you'll get slapped again, if you keep on practicing," Jackie said. And re- member please, I'm not your love! I suppose you're right about the act, though. But remember, too, it'll only be put on in public" ."
 I'll remember" Roger prom ised, rubbing his jaw thought fully.
 T didn't mean to slap you quite so hard" Jackie relented a trifie. She returned his handkerchief. She was thoroughly ashamed of those tears. What on earth was getting soft? Or was it the result of all that her nerves had been put through since this crazy en- gagement business had taken place?
 "What was it you had to tell me?" she asked. Tt will have to be really good this time aren't you going to drive on? If anyone goes by he'll think we're lovers! Parked on the side of the road like this with the lights turned out"
 He'd have another guess com irg,", Roger said. This is more like an amateur boxing match. We'll move on, as soon as I've told you-and this really is good. I think I've met my Santa Claus, Jackie. When I was in Washing ton"
 "Someone who'll back you? Not reallyW The golden fires in Jackie'S eyes fiared anew.
 Right you are. At least, it looks that way. If everything works out" |" Roger smacked his lips in snug sat- isfaction. We may get the whole thing set up in another month. This Santa Claus works fast. There's a new super-charged ship ready for stratosphere tests. It will take an altitude of 50,000 feet, maybe more, And yours truly, my loVe-forgiVe me, I forgot again but your 1ance-by proxy may land the job"
 "Oh, Roger!" Jackie could not say any more. She was so thrilled tor him.
 I'll know next week." he went on. 50 keep your fingers crossed until then. Oh, boy, will that be something! Think of 1t, Jackie, flying in a new unseen world, a world where the stars always shine in the purple shadows, where the sun is only a silver disc; no clouds. no birds No storms or air bumps, either, which is what makes 1t an aViator's dream, with such in crease in speed for long-dlstance hops that one of these days 1t will be possible to cruise at 300 miles an hour during round-trip from New York to Europe, keeping pace with the sun
 It's too magnificent" Jackie said. "Too big almost to comprc- hend. And to be one of the first to help make such dreams come true oh, Roger, why wasn't l born a man!'
 He looked at her. her shining BHto DtdublI LII LIitlIl hilJ obtAi H or sun. You do very well as you are" he said. Like every man since Adam, he did not want his woman to change. He would do the mans work, if she would only have faith in him. You can prac- tically go with me" he promised. TT I get the breaks and get my chance. I'll arrange so you can listen in at the radio-toWer. I'll send you messages all the way up, so you1l almost think you're in tho ship with me"
 "Oh, Roger" It was all Jackie could say again. She slipped an arm through his, squeezed it hard. Her heart was so full she thought it would burst. She would try to be unselfish, be unhappy with him. Since she wasn't man, 1t was almost the neXt-beSt thing to know one like Roger
 Its what I've always wanted to do," Roger said. Tt will be the beginning for lot Of things for me. No more crazy teSt-diVeS, photographic mapping, or teach ing dubs how to fly
 T like that!" She pretended in-