The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-13
CHAPTER XI

Roger did not get to take off for the west coast quite as soon as he had anticipated. He was obliged to ''hang around, as lie expressed it., until the weather was more favor able.
 T don't want anything to hap pen on the way out - before l get to make my flight" he told Jackie, his blue eyes earnest. I've got to make good on this now. If any thing happened and felt I'd let Beryl down, after having her pick me for the job. I'd never be able to look her in the eye again. She's a wonderful person, Jackie - you've no idea"
 It seemed to Jackie that she had been hearing how wonderful Beryl was often enough lately to arrive at some conception.
 "If aviation ever achieves its ultimate goal, it will be because of people like her." Roger said. People who are willing to give not only thousands of dollars, but their time and almost their very heart itself. People with foresight and vision :"
 "You forget even such wonder full people have to have pilots to fly their ships" Jackie broke in You're the one who's taking the chance, Roger. Sometimes I think people like Mrs. Melrose and know you think she's perfection personified simply like to share in the reflected glory of someone else. I suppose if you break all records on this trial flight, she'll think she did it-and want all the medals
 Roger stopped chewing the end of his toothpick; he glanced across at Jackie; they were having hamburg CTS and coffee at the Airport Inn, waiting for Beryl Melrose to join tharn. This might be their last meeting for some time as, if the weather broke" everything was in readiness for the take-off.
 "Why don't you like Beryl?" Rog- CT asked. "She thinks you're swell, Jackie. She told me so-just the other day" His eyes crinkled at thoir corners. Not still jealous, are you? Now that we're really en- gagged" Jackie had absolutely sold hirn on her idea. Since the night of the announcement party-and that kiss behind the banked flowers Roger believed Jackie intended to marry him on his return.
 Certainly I'm not jealous" Jackie flared. Just the same she did not like the other girl any better than she had from the first. Except that I think I'm the one who should be going with you to the coast. But of course I'm only your fiancee, not a beautiful widow with millions of dollars to buy my way anywhere. It seems to me, Roger she should be satis- fled to stay here and wait the same as I must do." This was an old argument, as Jackie had pre- sented it every time she had an opportunity, during the past weeks. She knew very well that if Roger would tell Mrs. Melrose he thought it better for her to remain behind, instead of accompanying him to the coast, that she would consent. Roger had proved he could sell her on anything.
 After all, it's her ship Roger reminded. Its only natural she should want to go along. If 1t weren't for my arguments against it, Beryl would make the trial flight with me. She's that inter- ested-and plucky."
 T suppose you told her it was much too dangerous for herr Jackie said, with some bitterness She was really getting fed UT with Roger singing steady chant to Beryl Melrose's courage. Jackie if only she had had a million dol lars-and her tranScontinental IT, cense would have had pluck enough to have accompanied Roger, too. In fact it was the sor of thing she dreamed of doing, bu supposed she never would. Som' peoples dreams never did cont true. They had to sit by and SCI other people - like Beryl - ge away with them.
 It's too risky for any woman, Roger said. But that wasn't m. main argument. I want as ligh a load as possible to make tn fastest possible speed. And - thi may sound selfish-but somehow want to feel I've done this al alone"
 1 Jackie could understand that; i was the way she would want 1t, toe