d-bye, and look for me back with my chest all dolled up with
medals, because I am sure coming if you will let me. When I get to
Tucson, I'll call you up on long distance, and then if your folks ain't
in the room, I wish you'd tell me if it's all right with you, my loving
you the way I do. Or if they are in the room, you can just say 'all
right,' and I'll know what you mean. And anyway I'll write to you and I
hope you'll write to me, because I am sure going to miss you till I
come back. I wish I had the nerve to go right up to the house and tell
you all this instead of writing, but I know I couldn't do it, so I
won't try. But you be sure and let me know some way over the 'phone. So
good-bye for the present. Always your faithful Skyrider, Johnny."

His letter to her father was not so long, and it was more coherent. To
Sudden he had written:

Mr. Selmer.

_Dear Sir_,--I have decided to fly my airplane to where I can sell it,
and will turn the money over to you to help pay for the expense you
have been under of having your horses stole. I can't find out how many
you lost all told, but whatever I can get for the plane will not cover
it, I am afraid, so I will make up the balance as soon as possible.

I want to thank you for all the kindness of yourself and family while
I was sick, and before and afterwards. You have certainly treated me
white, and much better than I deserve, and I certainly appreciate it
all, and some day I will refund every nickel you are out on account of
having me in your employ. The doctor's bill I intend to pay and the
nurse, too, and whatever you were out on getting the plane repaired.

I am thinking of enlisting somewhere as an aviator, as that seems to be
my chosen field. I am leaving early in the morning if the weather is
all right for flying, and one of the boys will give you this letter so
you will know why I went and not think I sneaked off. I am fully
determined to make good, and when I have done so I will come back and
finish squaring up for your trouble and expense in having the horses
stole. I feel that I balled things up bad, and it is my desire to
square everything up.

I feel that it is merely the square thing to tell you I love your
daughter Mary V, and I hope you will not object to having me marry her
when I have made good. Of course, I would not want to until I had done
so. And I hope that will be all right with yo