CHAPTER XXI
_Conclusion_
Linda Carlton was almost half-way across the ocean when her Aunt Emilylearned that she had started. The older woman had been away from homeall that day, visiting relatives in the country, peacefully enjoyingthe lovely spring weather, and little thinking that her beloved niecewas having the greatest adventure of her life. Miss Carlton returnedafter supper to find her brother waiting for her with the awe-inspiringnews.
Smiling with an effort, he held up the newspaper to her startled eyes.
"BEAUTIFUL YOUNG GIRL TAKES OFF IN SOLO FLIGHT FROM NEW YORK FORPARIS," she read in glaring print. Underneath were her niece's nameand age, and a brief account of her record thus far in aviation: thedate of her winning her private pilot's license, her membership in the"Caterpillar Club," her course at the ground school in St. Louis.
"You mustn't faint, Emily," said Mr. Carlton. "It isn't done by womennow-a-days, you know."
His sister laughed, which was exactly what he wanted her to do. Theseolder people must be as brave as Linda herself.
"Linda's going to get there all right!" he assured her triumphantly."You wait and see!"
And, in spite of Bess Hulbert's recent disaster, everybody else whoknew her said the same thing about Linda Carlton. When that young ladystarted out to accomplish anything, she usually put it through.
Yet when the news came over the radio that she had actually arrived inParis, strangers and friends alike went wild with delight. At last herewas a triumph for the feminine sex that could not be disputed. A girlof eighteen had flown alone, in less than a day and a half, across theAtlantic to France! All the world was ready to pay her homage, the kindthey had paid to Lindbergh a few years before.
Unlike Lindbergh, however, Linda Carlton was not greeted upon herarrival at Le Bourget by any great crowd. Perhaps the people hadbeen disgusted by the Lightcaps' deception, or perhaps the reportingstations had lost trace of the Bellanca among so many airplanes overthe Channel.... So, without any ostentation, the lone pilot taxiedalong the field, and shut off her motor, just as if she were anordinary flyer, visiting from England.
The regular officials of the field came out to welcome her, accordingto the usual custom. Stiff from her long flight, Linda asked them tohelp her get out of the cockpit.
"A long trip?" asked one of the men in English, for he did not thinkLinda was a French girl.
"Yes," she replied, smiling. "New York."
"What?" cried the man excitedly. "You are Linda Carlton?" His armsactually shook as he lifted her out of the plane.
"C'est la Bellanca!" exclaimed another official, who had been examiningthe plane. To Linda's amazement and amusement, he suddenly kissed heron both cheeks.
"Oh, but we are ashamed!" apologized the man who spoke English, whosename was Georges Renier. "No committee to greet you! No band!"
"I'm thankful," returned Linda, as her feet touched solid earth,and she swayed against Renier, catching hold of his arm to steadyherself. "I am so tired! Please, please, don't plan any celebrationtonight--just send a cable to my father! If I could go to sleep...."
"Of course you can! These men here will take care of everything, whileI take you to my wife. And we won't tell anybody where you are tilltomorrow."
"That is so good of you!" murmured Linda, deeply grateful.
In less than fifteen minutes, everything had been arranged, and shefound herself in a charming little apartment with Renier's wife takingcare of her, providing her with a simple supper, even helping her toget ready for bed. She was a young woman, perhaps half a dozen yearsolder than Linda herself, and was tremendously flattered by the visit,although Linda thought the gratitude should be all on her side. Likeher husband, Madame Renier spoke English fluently--an asset to Linda,whose French was decidedly rusty.
"Shall I lend you some clothes!" asked her hostess, not noticing alittle bag which her husband had deposited in the living-room. "I am alittle shorter and stouter, but perhaps I can get my friend next doorto lend us...."
"No, no!" replied Linda. "Thank you, but I have my bag right here.You see the Bellanca was built to carry two persons, at one hundredand seventy pounds each--" (both girls laughed at the idea of Linda'sweighing so much)--"and so as I came alone, I could easily bringbaggage without overloading the plane."
"Then you really expected to get here!"
Linda nodded. "I had such confidence in my Bellanca," she explained."I really believe that almost any pilot, granted good weather, couldfly the ocean in my Bellanca.... No, the only thing I was afraid of wasthat some other girl would beat me!"
"But you have beaten every other woman in the world!" cried the Frenchgirl, in admiration.
"Not beaten--except as far as the prize is concerned," amended Linda."Only pointed the way, I hope."
A few minutes later she was fast asleep in the pretty rose-covered bedin Madame Renier's guest room, while the news of her safe arrival wasflashed around the world. When she awoke at noon the following day, shewas famous.
No longer could Linda Carlton belong to Jeanne Renier or to herself;she was a public figure now, to be f?ted and honored everywhere.Already a luncheon was scheduled for her at the American Embassy, whereall the important officials of Paris would be on hand to pay tribute toher daring feat.
In a simple but charming dress of a soft dull blue, and a close-fittinghat of the same color, she clung to Jeanne Renier's arm as theAmbassador escorted her to the seat of honor at the luncheon.Desperately trying to overcome her shyness, she tried to smile ateverybody in the room, but her eyelids fluttered over her blue eyes,and she clasped her friend's hand under the table. The food, thespeeches in her eulogy, the vast banquet hall, were all impressive,but it was only when some little French girls were allowed to comein and present Linda with flowers that she really smiled naturally.Impulsively she threw her arms around them all, while the tears rolleddown her cheeks.
"Oh, I do thank you--all!" she exclaimed, and that was all the speechshe could make.
But Linda Carlton's modesty won her more friends than any eloquentoration of fine-sounding words. France took her to its heart, just asit had taken Lindbergh, and the world rejoiced that here was a girl asworthy as the boy who had flown several years before.
After that luncheon, engagements followed each other in rapidsuccession; a reception by the city of Paris, another given by thePresident of France, a third by the foremost flyers of the country. Shewas presented with the Cross of the Legion of Honor, and later, at adinner given by Mrs. Rodman Hallowell in her Paris home, Linda receivedher check for twenty-five thousand dollars.
Linda's mail was by this time so large that she had to engage twosecretaries to sort and answer the important letters, and to turn downthe fabulous offers which came every day, to lure her into the movies.
The news that made the girl happiest, however, was her father's replyto her cablegram. "Sailing immediately," it said. "Wait for me inParis."
He was coming on a fast boat, she knew. Her Daddy! Five days at themost to wait--possibly only four now! Five days that would pass quickly.
In spite of all her public acclaim, Linda refused to stay anywhere butwith Madame Renier, although the Ambassador's wife had extended her acordial invitation, and the most luxurious hotels in Paris offered hersuites without any charge. But with her new friend she was happiest;Jeanne was in a way taking Louise's place, filling the gap that herchum's marriage had created.
One offer, however, that came to Linda pleased her tremendously,although it was not in the nature of a contract. A well-known flyerwanted to buy her Bellanca, at the price Linda had paid for it, and shewas only too delighted to accept his proposition. For months she hadbeen wondering what she would do with the plane when the flight wasover, for she did not want to keep such an expensive one for everydayuse. Besides, ever since her trip to Birmingham for the school, she hadbeen craving an autogiro. So she asked Georges Renier to take care ofthe transaction for her, and she added twenty-two thousand dollars toher pri
ze money.
Her father's boat arrived at last, and she flew with her friends tomeet him at the dock. How wonderful it was to see him again! Themoment Linda spied him among the crowd of arrivals she broke away fromJeanne Renier and leaped into his arms in rapture. The self-reliantyoung woman who had flown the Atlantic alone was a child again in herfather's arms.
* * * * *
Transcriber's notes
Spelling and grammar errors were corrected
Page 15: [believed that herself.) ... "But perhaps we could] was changed to believed that herself.)... "But perhaps we could
Page 166: ["Locked up? Kidnaped?" demanded Ralph] was changed to "Locked up? Kidnapped?" demanded Ralph
Page 190: [used to these sort of affairs, found the] was changed to used to these sorts of affairs, found the
Page 233: [About five oclock Louise finally arrived.] was changed to About five o'clock Louise finally arrived.
'O. K.' was changed to the majority 'O.K.' for consistency.
Italicized words and phrases are presented by surrounding the text with_underscores_.
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