The Waterbury Democrat., 1942-07-24

staring skyward, his feet appa- rently glued to the ground.
 Damn obstinate chap" Russ muttered. But gosh, how girls go for him." And Christie was one of them. Christie who flew any girl he had ever known. But lots of women had been grounded for less than love.
 It had been one of those days for Christie. She had begun her lesson that afternoon in a blue mood. All this time, and Russ had never mentioned a solo. She prob ably never would go up alone Everything she had done today wah wrong, and Russ had been saying so in no ladylke manner He was probably getting ready to wash her up. This was probably her last landing.
 Russ had leaped out of the plane, loosening his safety belt Then his arm shot up straight and rigid, his usual signal to take off. Christies had moved in automatic obedience. Suddenly, her eyes glued to the control stick moving up there in front all by itself.
 Heavens, no by itself at all. She was moving 1t back here in the rear seat, just as she had so many times before when Russ was in front, his broad back hid ing the stick from her. She was alone. She was up here with the ship and the sky. She was soloing.
 Her throat was tight. She had been showed up here without warning. Now, how was she to get down? Oh, yes, she knew. Don't get frightened and cling to the stick, Christie. Easy now, you could never make landing with that taut arm. Loosen up, loosen up inside. A plane feels 1t, If you're not confident. She could almost hear Russ talking. Well, all right, she was feeling steady, easier. I've done 1t, I've soloed," she whispered suddenly exultant.
 Down there, Russ was probably watching for her plane to wobble a little, knowing what trick he had played upon her. Well, she'd show him.
 Everything was so exactly the same. The plane cutting through the keen, cold air. The white clouds, spaced like stepping stones against the blue sky, and below the long hangars of the airport, dwarfted by distance, and looking like oversized blocks.
 / But all this was a forced kind of bravery. She didn't really feel brave inside.
 "I'm going in. I guess I'm scared" Christie said aloud. Her voice sounded funny to her own ears, hoarse and shaky.
 She was landing. Rolling in again. No bumps. Maybe it was good landing. They were gather ing around her = Tommy, Jan, and Bill Blake.
 Believe you could have set it down on a dime" Bill said
 Christie, you're wonderful" Janet cried. She was looking proud and a little envious.
 Glad you made It." Tommy said.
 "Oh it was easy" Christie said. Now that she was on the ground again, all her fears seemed silly and far away.
 She looked about for Russ. And suddenly, her heart seemed to turn over. Bart!
 Janet was laughing. "We brought him out with us. Bye now. I'm go- ing to get away from the fireworks. | If you were Bart's sister, or his wife I'd bet you were going to get one good spanking"
 "Bu I'm not his sister, or his wife" Christie replied in queer voice.
 It was absurd that the sight of Bart could do this to her. All those months of interning, and he still looked as though he had been up in plane every day. Bronzed broad -shouldered, with that quiz zical gleam in his eyes, and that look about his mouth, as though it could turn into a smile if 1t would-hut il wouldn't"
 Hey" Bart said~
 Hey, yourself" Christie replied hoping sine was hiding the rush ot yladness that would have sent her