The dinner at the Governor’s mansion that night was another gorgeous affair. All the celebrities of the island were invited, as well as Linda’s friends. Even Fanny Preston was included, and Bertram Chase was accorded a seat of honor on Linda’s right, with Ralph Clavering on her left—an arrangement which made Ralph exceedingly jealous, for Chase managed to absorb most of her attention.
“I want you to go into the secret service, Linda,” he said, earnestly. “You’d be a marvellous detective. Have you signed up for anything for the winter?”
“I had expected to teach,” replied the aviatrix. “But I guess it’s too late for that.”
“No, no, don’t do that.”
Chase wasn’t eating at all, instead he was fumbling with his fork, as if he were terribly nervous. Linda noticed his queer actions, and wondered what could be the cause of them, for he had always seemed to have such easy, pleasant manners. But his next question, abrupt as it was, offered the explanation.
“It’s a funny place—and a funny time—to ask you, Linda,” he began, very low “but I’m so afraid you’ll fly away and I’ll never see you again.... You see—I’m crazy about you. I love you! I want you to marry me, and fly everywhere with me!”
Faltering as his speech was at first, he ended it very fast, as if he had to finish with one breath. Out of the corner of her eye, Linda could see his hand trembling; this fearless flier, who dared all sorts of dangers! Why, he seemed to be afraid to look in her face!
Linda, too, was embarrassed; she didn’t know what to say. She liked him so much that she couldn’t bear to hurt his feelings, yet marriage was out of the question at this time.
“I appreciate it a lot, Bert,” she finally replied, softly. “But—I couldn’t. Not now, anyway,” she added, so as not to seem too abrupt. “But there’s no reason why you shouldn’t see me often. Distance isn’t anything to fliers. And I’ll talk to you later about the secret service.” She paused, nodding in Ralph’s direction.... “This impatient boy on my left is having a fit. I must talk to him now.”
She turned to the latter, sulking as usual.