r and
smiled happily.

"You're a wonder," she told Jane. "I think I'll ask the company to send
you clear through to New York with me."

"Our division only goes to Chicago," replied Jane, "but I'd be
delighted to go on if the general manager approves."

"I think he'll approve if I ask it. After all, I'm paying almost enough
for this trip to buy one of their planes."

Jane removed the luncheon dishes, brought another blanket, adjusted the
seat at a reclining angle and tucked Mrs. Van Verity Vanness away for
the night.

"We'll land at North Platte, Omaha, and Iowa City," she said, "but
there'll be no need for you to disturb yourself. I'll inquire for
messages at each stop and waken you if there is any news."

In less than five minutes Mrs. Van Verity Vanness was sleeping soundly
and Jane went back to her pantry to stow away the dishes she had used
for their midnight lunch.

The flasher which signaled that the chief pilot wanted to talk to her
came on and Jane walked ahead, careful not to disturb her passenger.
The stewardess made her way past the baggage compartment and stuck her
head in the pilots' cockpit.

Charlie Fischer looked down at her.

"How's our famous passenger?" he asked.

"Sound asleep," replied Jane, "and she'll stay that way until morning
if you'll use a little care in landing and taking off."

"I'll drop this crate down like we were carrying eggs," promised
Charlie, "but don't you let her out of the plane. Next time we may
never be able to get her back on board."

Jane returned to the cabin where the only light was the one over her
seat at the rear. Her passenger was sleeping soundly and Jane sat down
and relaxed.

The last two hours, from the time she had received the call to rush to
the field, had been filled with a nervous tension. Handling Mrs. Van
Verity Vanness had required real tact and patience and Jane had been so
busy she hadn't had time to remember that this was her first trip as
stewardess. Up until now she had rather looked upon herself as a
trained nurse called in to care for a nervous, irritable woman.

At better than 8,000 feet the air was chilly even in the summer and
Jane got a blanket and wrapped it around her shoulders. She didn't dare
sleep for fear Mrs. Van Verity Vanness would waken and call her.

Jane had hardly settled down to rest when the lights of North Platte
appeared far ahead and the throbbing of the motors eased off. Charlie
Fischer set the plane down wit