s by the
thousands, telling the story of the attempt to abduct Jane's passenger.

Chapter Fourteen

Page One News

The day was clear and warm, a beautiful June-time, and the special was
soon speeding over the flat country of northern Indiana. There was only
one stop scheduled between Chicago and New York, that at Cleveland,
where the tanks would be filled with fuel.

Jane prepared an appetizing lunch and Mrs. Van Verity Vanness ate it
with evident relish as they skirted the south shore of Lake Erie. That
over, she insisted that Jane explain how she had happened to join the
air line.

The elderly woman was a good listener and Jane told in detail of her
last day at Good Samaritan and how Miss Hardy had recommended her for
the position with the Federated Airways.

"I'd never heard of stewardesses on the planes until you came aboard at
Cheyenne," said Mrs. Van Verity Vanness. "Have you been flying long?"

Jane smiled for her passenger was going to be in for a surprise.

"This is my first regular trip," she confessed. "All of the girls go
into service tomorrow."

"Then I predict a fine future for you. Why, I thought you were a
veteran of hundreds of miles of flying."

It was a sincere compliment and Jane glowed inwardly. She had been so
anxious to make a good impression on her first flight.

At Cleveland another message from New York reassured Mrs. Van Verity
Vanness and again she was shielded from reporters. No one was allowed
out on the ramp, but cameras clicked as Jane stepped out of the cabin
for a breath of air. Then they were racing eastward again, with the
next stop the Newark airport.

They flew high over the rugged Alleghenies and then dropped down over
Jersey toward the metropolis. The end of the long flight was near and
Jane felt greatly relieved.

Mrs. Van Verity Vanness summoned her as they swung over the Newark
airport.

"Wouldn't you like to join me, traveling as my nurse and companion?"
she asked.

It was a question that left Jane speechless. She had never considered
such a possibility.

"As soon as my son is well, I plan to leave on a round-the-world trip.
We would be gone a year."

It was a tempting offer, almost irresistible, but the zest of flying
was deep in Jane and she shook her head.

"I don't believe I would be happy leaving the air line now," she said.
"There seems to be a real future for girls in aviation and I want to
make the most of my opportunity."

The other