The Waterbury Democrat., 1938-05-20
CHAPTER XVII

John Paul Scott not only charter cd . private plane so that Jackie could fly to Roger, but he took Jack ie to the airport, saw to 1t that she had every comfort, and even offered at the last moment, to go with her.
 See here, Miss Jacqueline," he said in his deliberate, precise way, it does not seem right, a young girl like you, starting of on such . journey alone. shall be glad to accompany you, if you wish me too, my dear. Of course, it would be too much for your dear mother"
 Jackie smiled at the idea of Evelyn, who had never put foot in . plane, undertaking such trip. But she was touched at MT. Scott's suggestion. Why, he wasn't such an impossible person, after all! He was human, understanding, kind, underneath his polished exterior. Perhaps she would not mind hav- ing to call him father" some day.
 Thank you just the same" she said, but wouldn't think of ask ing you to go with me. I know what an extremely busy man you are. I appreciate, oh! much more than ever can tell you, all that you have done for me. And I don't mind going alone. Not the least bit. I shall be quite all right, truly shall"
 T expect you will" MT. Scott said. He shook hands grayely. "Young girls do such remarkable things these days. Young men, too. Take that young man of yours he's got a great deal of courage, so much, my dear, that he is bound to pull through. He'll get places - see that now-With- out any help from mel" There actually was twinkle in MT. Scotts eyes, as he said this; Jackie knew he was recalling the dinner party when he had offered to help Roger, and Rogers indignant re- play that he would not accept charity.
 MT. Scott had scared clear up to tho sky again, in Jackie's estima- ticn. He appreciated Roger, all right. He had paid fine compli- ment to his courage. Jackie sur prised both herself and MT. Scott by turning before she got into the plane, that stood ready to take oil now, to throw him kiss from her fingertips "Goodby,' she called. And thank you again. A million times!'
 MT. Scott so far forgot his dig nity as to run a few steps, bare headed, hat in hand, beside the plane - and to throw Jackie a kiss in return.
 Even when the plane had left the ground, soaring up, up into the clouds, Jackie, looking back, could see him standing. waving his hat frantically, until MT. Scott, and the airport. and the earth itself, became so small as to be almost indistm- guishable, only blurred reality.
 The ship kept steadily climbing higher. passing through a bank Of lovely, whipped-cream clouds, un- til they lay, like foamy ocean of fluffy white spray beneath, sep arating the plane from the world below, shutting it out completely.
 It was the most beautiful sight Jackie ever had seen, riding over the tops of the clouds, watching the tiny dark shadow of the plane cast on them. following along, so that 1t seemed indeed as though the world had been left behind.
 Fear and doubt and anxiety dropped from Jackies heart, as well. They could not exist in such 8 clean, celestial world, bathed in pure sublimity. She knew that Roger would live. He could not die. As MT. Scott had said, Rogers courage was too big - he was bound to pull through.
 Would he be glad when he knew that she had flown to him? Would Roger know that she loved him now, had always loved him? If she had not been such blind little fooll OhI she would prove her love, she would make him sec how big 1t was. She would try to match his wonderful courage, be worthy of him. For now, this Jackie who had grown up, knew that she would be content just to spend all the rest of her life in loving Roger, belonging to him. she no longer wanted to do some thing big and important in itself her old cry and protest. Just lov- ing Roger would be big enough to fill all her days. That was all she wanted from life now.
 The plane was beginning to nose down; the lovely clouds had drifted away. The green earth with its hills and valleys, its tiny villages and