Henderson daily dispatch., 1939-07-28

CHAPTER FORTY-E1GHT

RO6ER1 hENNED4 swung MS
long legs over the side of his air.
plane as he came to a stop on the
apron of the flying field. In the wet
dusk he could see a girl and man
at the far side of the runway. Now
they came toward him.
He had thought, all day, of the
things he wanted to tell Sarah
Anne when he saw her. Between
flights his mind had gone back to
her. He had made inquiry until he
aScertained that she was at the
college.
He had kept informed about the
welfare of the student body, de-
termined to fly the two girls as
quickly as it was possible.
And now, as she looked up at
him, he could only say: Are you
ready, Sarah Anne?"
And she, smiling into the keen
eyes, so swift and yet so steady,
answered: Eyes, Bob"
He held out his hand and they
turned back to the plane. He had
not asked if she would go with him.
She had forgotten the other pilot.
This was their world. They had
job to do.
When Bob handed her the para
chute and helped her adjust it, he
said, grinning briefly: Its an auto
matte opener"
He had thought of her when he
put it into the, ship. It had been
curious impulse that had prompt
ed him to take precautiOn for
her sake.
She smiled back at him. Quite
naturally he stopped to kiss her, his
arms holding her close. She did not
move away. She put her arms
around his neck. She raised her
face and smiled when he said: II
love you."
She did not remember that once
he had doubted her, nor did she
know that the doubt had been re-
moved. She understood, at last, that
he wanted her, above all doubts and
perplexities.
He helped her into the plane, and
when the engine was warming up
he said: BE mighty careful, won't
you, Sarah Anne, my sweet? It's
dangerous afraid for you
and yet I can't stop you."
"I'll be careful" she promised
softly. No, he couldn't stop her.
Not in this. It was her duty, and
duty was a grave word, brave
word, that no one could deny.
This would be her last jump, she
knew. Here in the dusk, with the
.Widened stream of the river flow
ing across the campus and the fats
below, she would help to save a
life. She saw beacon fires that sent
red banners down the river to
show rescuers where their help was
needed. She saw the lighted panes
in the college building. She noted,
too, that the water was not rising.
That was good. But it would be
hours and hours, maybe days, be-
fore the water would be low
enough for natural transportation.
Bob picked up the speaking tube.
"It's this roof below where the
people are waving. Can you see it,
dearest 2"
Eyes, I see it." It was a small
roof. She would have to be careful
with the shroud ropes.
'"The station has a. rowboat
near. It's the biggest, strongest one
we could find. So if you should hit
the water there'll be help at hand.
The currents too strong to lower
the people into such a helpless
craft, though"
She answered quietly. After all,
the main objective of this para
chute jump was to keep the white
pills safe and dry. People were not
paying now to see a girl come fly
ing through bright air. Even if she
hit the water she must protect the
small vial.
The plane took on ceiling and cir
cled for position. Robert maneuv-
cred carefully. watching to get the
location of the roof. At last he
said: "Time to bail out, honey!
Don't get wet feet!"
He would be there, above, watch
ing, waiting, caring. On the wet
roof a woman was suffering, dying,
perhaps, with pneumonia. The drug
must get to her.
So Sarah Anne went out.
Head first, feet after. on her
back, as Jack had taught her. The
parasol of the parachute opened
and the air caught her. She looked
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