Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, Marion County, 8 September 1936 — Page 23

. with these girls. _ know of the hazards and hardships of the life they seemed

~ eved the three curiously.

(Copyright, 1938, by NEA Service)

| By DECK "MORGAN

CHAPTER ONE

HE three girls sat in the office of Central Airport,

hands folded primly in their laps, waiting to be interviewed. | Each held a newspaper with a photograph of the pretty stewardess who had lost her life in an automobile accident the day before. The news meant, in this highly Lompetitive, present-day world, that a job was open*and, out of the mass of young women who make their own way in the world, these three had appeared dimost instantly. Each of them wanted that job. Ted Graham, veteran pilot of Trans-Pacific Airways, He had gazed at danger so long that, for him. it no longer existed. But it was otherwise What did they know, what could they

80 eager to embrace? : The veteran pilot speculated about this. He had learned to read faces—and to learn from them. Graham

- Was waiting now to see the chief of the personnel division

of Overland Airways. As an old friend and chief pilot of Trans-Pacific Airways, Ted Graham might have walked boldly into the inner office and said, “Hello, Charlie. How's tricks?” Instead he waited his turn. Patience had been the first lesson he had mastered in learning to flv, and be guarded. this secret jealously. The three girls had reached he office first. Ted Graham, therefore, crossed one ‘leg ver the other, leaned back in his chair, and waited. 5 ” » » ” » » N repose, his tanned, leathery face showed quiet resolution. It was a face, too, that showed the marks of peril and danger. Some might have called-it hard, but friends knew there was a smile that, when it broke through, showing a flash of white teeth, was unfailingly captivating. The pale_blue eyes that had seen so much danger, had gazed over such distances, betrayed a genuine nature. A brisk young man came out of the personnel chief's office and signaled to one of the girls. Looking at the card in-his hand, he said, “Right this way, Miss Dunn.” ~The girl addressed stood up and walked toward the door.. First of all, Ted Graham noticed her splendid carriage. She walked almost like a fashion model and her greenish eyes flashed with animation and spirit. Graham, in imagination, could see her driving a car, swimming, can-

~ tering down a bridle path or dancing with obvious enjoy-

ment. Then he noted that she had reddish hair, waving

back softly from her face. Her chin was well formed, de- |

cidedly pretty,

» = 2 : ie aon

UDDENLY the secretary spied Graham and exclaimed

effusively, “Why, Mr. Graham I" He tarned again to

the girl. “I'm sorry,” he began, “I didn’t know Ted Graham was here. You'll have to wait—" Ted stdod up, protesting, and Kay Dunn turned to look at him more closely. She, as well as the other girls, knew, of course, who Ted Graham was. They had read of

~ his exploits in the air.

. Kay's eyes met Graham's. She didn’t want to wait, but she had a disciplined mind and a sense of humor, too. She bowed prettily to Mr. Ted Graham who, by all the precepts she knew, deserved precedence. He had conquered the air. : rd Ted spoke to her directly, and she noticed his pale blue eyes. “No, no,” he said. “You go in first, Miss—Miss—"

* (Posed hy Mildred Sheliey of United Airlines.) Kay Dunn

These Three ... Loni Doris Lee, Alice Miller and Kay Dunn .-. .

pean ee. -

(Posed by Eileen Thorsen, Helen Motter and Mildred Shelley of United Airlines.)

“

Found that Adventuresome Ro Across the Blue Pacific with the Clipper Ships

mance Winged

thought charming. The girl's eyes flashed. you go in first.”

you go in now.”

job.” :

smiling. “A flier.

fast—

together!”

= = »

isn’t going to bité& you!” Charles Benton. looked. up, a picture of outraged dignity. Then he laughed and almost bounded across the table. “Ted!” “Charlie!” \. Kay Dunn stood meekly aside, watching the two men pound each other's backs, muttering the schoolboy palaver men reserve for their closest friends. Then Benton, seeing her, coughed discreetly, and went back to his desk.

“This is Miss Kay Dunn,” Ted said. “She's here for a job—wants to be a stewardess.” He drew himself up haughtily, and winked. “Give her. the job, Charlie!” He laughed, and went on, in a matter-of-fact tone. “I'm in no hurry at all. As a matter of fact, I'm on my way to California by the next plane—a deadhead. Just thought I'd drop in and see if I couldn't steal one of your best pilots for my run. But that can wait. I'm going out to lunch with you.” : > “Good!” Benton $aid, beaming.

I'll sit over here while you take

her temperature or whatever the

It had become almost like a game. swung his hand toward the door. “I insist,” he said, “that

8 UNN,” Kay supplied with a nod and gesture he

“But I insist,” she said, “that

Ted bowed and

Kay stood her ground and said, almost cagually. “Please go in, Mr. Graham. I'm only here looking for a

“And I'm looking for a man to fill a job,” he said, Do you think you could hold down a pilot's job on the Trans-Pacific Airways?” “Not yet,” she answered pertly. “But I'll léarn

“But really—" Suddenly Graham's eyes shone. “I'll tell you what—as a compromise, we’ll go in to see Charlie

” " »

W HEN they had entered the office and were looking across an expanse of rug at the chief of personnel, busily engaged with figures on a pad, Graham said to the girl suddenly, “Why you're trembling! Poor old Charlie

“If Miss Dunn doesn't mind,

procedure is in interviewing would-be stewardesses. I suspect

| you pick them because they're

pretty—" “Not at all!” gruffly, drawing himself up sedately. “They must exhibit ®remost—er, flying qualities.”

” » ” ED laughed, “And what might those be? = Gracious, that could mean anything! Green eyes, a pretty chin, red hair—” “Sit down, Miss Dunn,” the personnel chief said sternly. “Your full name?” ; “Kay Dunn.” “Oh, yes. You've already filled out the card” He picked up three cards and glanced hurriedly over the details listed. “Age 22. Born, Joplin, Mo. High school. Graduate nurse—" He glanced up again at Kay. “What makes you think you'd like to be a stewardess?” : Kay said promptly, “There are plenty of girls who will be glad to take my place at the hospital. But for me—I want to see far-off places,” something adventurous. Every time I look up and seé a plane in tk air I want to be on board. To jie, flying spells adventure!” : : “ = = . AVE you ever flown?” “No. But in my dreams—" She stopped short. “I had a broth-

Benton said

man,

- look after!”

er, an aviator, who was killed in the war. 1 was only a little girl then but I remember seeing him up there in the air—” Charles Benton picked up a rubber stamp and brought it down on Kay Dunn's card. “You're hired!” he said—“that is, if the doctor lets you by. Report to the doctor's office, and if he says you're seaworthy—" Ted Graham’s eyes twinkled. “Seaworthy! Of course she’s seaworthy. Miss Dunn will pass inspection any day.” Charles coughed discreetly again, and pressed a small white button. : “On this line,” he said to Kay, “you go in training for three weeks—a sort of probation period. Courtesy and tact in dealing with people are among the most important features of the job. I'll see you again after we have the report from the doctor.”

» 2 s AY DUNN went down the hall toward the physician's office, her head held high. Benton's sec-

retary entered and the personnel chief looked up. :

“What about the other two’

glrlsy he asked. “Think they'll 0?” : “One of them might—the quiet one. The other carries t00 much baggage for the air.” The secretary gave an elaborate pantomime of a girl a little bit on the weighty side. Teng Téd Graham spoke up quickly. “Oh, see them, Charlie! Giye them a break.” : Benton said, “Okay.” He turned again to his friend. “Ted, this is outrageous. You flirted with Miss Dunn all the time I was trying to interview her. A man of your age!” :

“Lifé begins at 40,” ‘Ted said,-

“and I was only 40 last week.” “A man with a growing boy to Benton went on. . “They ought to ground you, as they did me last year. How old now is that kid you adopted Dickie?” “Going to be 7 next week. I'm hurrying back to the coast to help him celebrate his birthday. I've put him in military school. He was a little lonély at first—" | Ta 2.8 8 . “QEVEN. Poor kid.” * Beato looked at the table. “Too bad his father had to be killed when the kid was so little he scarcely remembers him.”

“Dickie’s father was my best

friend,” Ted said slowly. “I promised to take care of Dickie—and of coyrse 1 feel now as though he really were my own son.” - “I wish I had him.” When Benton looked up again his eyes were

twinkling. “I think you otght to

‘like me.

get married, Ted,” he said, “and

give Dickie a real home. Then he wouldn’t be so lonely.” ' “Not on. your life!. That kid's all right. He’s as hard as nails, Doesn’t need the feminine influence.” Benton did not laugh. He knew that Ted Graham had never thought of marrying again, since his wife had died more than 15 years before. Ted worshiped the memory of that wife.

CHAPTER TWO OTH men looked up when the second girl was admitted. Doris Lee came in swinging her arms at her sides. Her face was flushed and the secretary appeared behind her, protesting. “It was my turn and I'm here!” Doris Lee said. along and shuffle your papers, young man.” The determined young woman sat down in the chair Benton offered her. “That secretary of yours didn’t want to let me in,” she announced, “and it was my turn. The idea! He said I was excess baggage! So I said to him——-" Ted looked at her and laughed, Her cheeks were still flushed with wrath and indignation. She was pretty, with blond coloring and her figure was robust, ‘but not too heavy for the job of stewardess on a plane. She had an air of

being able to take care of herself.

“Name?” “Doris Lee.” £8»

HILE the chief of the personnel department went over the details oh her card, Doris went on talking, to much of which Benton did not listen. “And so one day I just got up and walked

out of the hospital,” she said. “I

was fed up with the job.” “Just what were your duties at the hospital, Miss Lee?” “Looking after the nuts!” “Oh, a nurse at a hospital for mental disorders?” “Disorders?” Suddenly Doris slapped a hand on her lap, and laughed. “They were riots!” . Benton coughed discreetly, while the girl went on. “I never thorght Doris Lee would spend two years playing tag with such a menagerie. There was one man who

>threatened cvery day to tear my

tongue out. Said I talked too much and that T reminded him of his wife who drove him nuts. One day he actually got me by: the throat-—m-7" “Have you ever flown?” Benton put in hastily. any experience in the air?” “After the experiences I've had,

flying in the air would be harm- ;

“Now you run

“Have you had

I'd slap them down What I want is

» » ” ED laughed and said, “We need her on Trans-Pacific Airways when we are {forced down on cannibal islands! Sorry we only have men on our crews.”

“There's a run on one of our lines,” Benton said thoughtfully, “where the planes are always filled with college boys who make a lot of noise. ‘I think she could keep them ‘in order.” “Of course. I could!” Doris said eagerly. : “I think I'll put you in training!” the chief told her. “Take this card down te the doctors’ office for a physical examination.” Doris eyed the yellow card with firm distrust. “I'll go.” she said determinedly, “but if that doctor is a friend of yours, you'd better kive him a ring on the telephone, and tip him off that I'm coming. If he's anything like the wisecracking internes at that hospital I left, he'll get his stethoscope wrapped around his neck!”

HARLES pressed another button. Doris Lee got up and flounced down the hall, self-sure and confident. At the same time the door from the outer office épened and the third girl came in, timidly peering about the room. While the chief looked at her card, Ted Graham showed her a chair. She was a meek little girl of about 19. Her features were delicately shaped and exquisite. Her forehead was high and white. She was plainly dressed, and while she waited, her fingers pulled nervously at the neat black gloves in her lap. She was obviously embarrassed. To Ted there was a look of desperation about the girl. Her darkbrown eyes carried a mute appeal. = = ”

HE chief of personnel looked

up from the -card and : frowned. “No business experience.

You've never. had a job of any

| kind?”

“No. But I have tried hard enough to find one,” Alice Miller said tensely. “I went to business

school—a night school—we could

not afford a regular course.” “We?” “Just my mother and 1.” The little girl's eves lowered. “She's ill, bed-ridden. The little money we have isn't enough. I have to have a joh.”

Charles rubbed his chin. trying |

to avoid looking at Ted Graham across the table, “But you haven't had nurse training—" The girl looked from him to Ted Graham again, and her eyes carried the same desperate appeal. “I'm sure I could do the work. So much of my life has been spent looking after the comfort of—others. I have patience, tact. I like people. I make friends easily with them. And, oh, I can work!” “And I think you have courage!” Benton said shortly. “I think you'd be at home in the air. Of course this will only mean that you go in training for three weeks. If you like the job, and the job likes you, we stick together, see?” He handed her the yellow card,

and told her where to go for the *

physical examination. 8 8 =

HEN she had gone Benton

stood up. “See what you =

made me do, Ted,” he said. “Actually we needed only one of these girls, and now—if they all pass the medic — they'll go into training.” He rubbed his chin. Ted Graham seemed more puzzled than the chief of personnel. “Who'd have thought, 10 years

ago,” he said, “that girls would be

leaving their typewriters, hospitals and nurseries to take up jobs in aviation? In the old days we thought we were made of pretty stern stuff, eh?” > “Well, so are these girls!” Benton said. “And that's progress in’ the air, We've gone a long way, And you have done more than any other man I know, Ted, to make flying safer!” a

TT stood up, shaking off the compliments as a dog shakes off water. “The old baloney from you!" : “No, T mean it. At 20 you were a daredevil pilot in the war. An ace. And what a devil-may-care flying fool you were!” Ted squirmed uncomfortably. “Then y@u settled down to acquire something like 12,000 hours in the air,” Charles went on. “A pioneer in long-distance flying in the tropics. Now, at 40, you're flying the Trans-Pacific Airways route, to Honolulu, Guam, Manila. Everybody knows what you've done to develop commercial aviation. And now this new gyropilot you're working on, to make trans-oceanic flying fool-proof—" ~ Nothing irritated Ted more than praise. He shied from it. To distract himself now, he got up and walked to the window, watching a private plane come in to make a three-point landing. It was still a thrilling sight to him.

td = =

HE turned to see Kay Dunn in the doorway. Her eyes were bright, her cheeks flushed, and she waved the yellow card gaily. “It’s okay!" she said. “I can go in training. The doctor said I'd make a good pilot, even. I'm so happy—and oh, I'm going to work in the air!” She looked up and saw Ted Graham regarding her with a curious smile. Suddenly the hand she had lifted excitedly, fluttered ot her side. She had talked so fast she was gasping for breath, but she laughed. : “Forgive me. I didn’t mean to become so excited. But I am thrilled!” “After the first hundred flights.” Ted put in, laughing, “it’s not very adventurous. Just work. work. _And. responsibility. But it’s our life,” he added. : “Our life!” she repeated slowly. “Then you do—you already accept me as one of you.” “Of course,” Ted said. “As a matter of fact, we were just go= ing to lunch in the airport restaurant. Want to come along?” Kay glanced through the glass corridors toward the glittering restaurant where passengers dined and where natty young pilots lounged about the cigar counter and the fireplace. ’ “Why, of course,” she said. “If you're sure that I won't—" : Ted took her arm with a ges ture of real camaraderie. “Come on!” he said, smiling.

(To Be Continued)

Begins Thursday,

September 10, in. . vo

“Trans-Pacific Flight,” Story ™ of Romance and Adventure,

The Indianapolis

A Seripps— Howard Newspaper

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