Woodland High School - Jewel Yearbook (Woodland, ME)

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THE JEXVE-L 13 controls became even harder to handle. At times the storm would start to abate, only to return its attack on the plane with renewed fury. If his luck and the radio beam held out, he had a small chance of reaching -Chicago. Once there his job would be only half done. He would have to land and---his eyes suddenly flashed to the for- gotten gas indicator. Ile switched to the reserve tank in just a nick of time. There were twenty minutes flying time left with the gas in the reserve tank. His gas dwindled from twenty to fif- teen--twelve--eleven--ten and then like a lighthouse to a storm tossed mariner there came a short silence in his headphones. Ile had passed through the cone of silence directly over the beam station at Chicago. The silence spoke as loudly as the deep- est roaring fog horn ever did. By the time he had circled, fiown back, and circled once again, his gas had dwindled to five minutes flying time. Somewhere below lay the Chicago Air- port--but where? IIe knew the beam sta- tion was at the near end of tl1e runway. but it was up to him to judge exactly right or--. Already he was racking his brain for an appropriate prayer. The huge ship began to settle slowly. Sud- denly, at 600 feet he sighted the airport through a rift in the fog. He had swung to the right too far. Quickly he side- slipped to correct his error. The big ship shot over a line of telephone wires and between two hangers. Ile brought her to a perfect landing and rolled up to the Administration Building. 'With a sigh of relief he opened the window on his side and shouted to the attendants for a doc- tor and an ambulance. He forced his tired body out of the chair and back into the cabin. YVith Mr. Young-'s help they carried Taylor into the building. After Taylor' had been taken care of, Mr. Young turned to XVarren, placed his hand on NVarren's shoulder, and began to speak. My boy, any man who can handle a plane like that is worthy of my daughter regardless of his pay. Since it was my influence that got us into this trouble, it should be my influence that brings about a happy ending. I don't imagine that it will take much to persuade Jessica, but I will have a talk with the Superinten- dent. and don't be surprised if the name of a certain Yvarren Jackson appears on the promotion list soon. Francis Brown, '38 ae :lk 9? :lk ROMANCE IN AN ELEVATOR f'Going up! Going up! shouted Jack Evans, the handsome elevator boy in the Chandler Department Store. Several peo- ple answered his call by stepping into was a short opened up a business-like the elevator. Among them stout man., who immediately newspaper to readg a tall fellow wl1o might have been an insurance agentg and a woman with a little girl, who kept making fun of the other pas- sengers. At the last minute a girl came running just as Jack was about to close the door of the elevator. She was a girl of medium height with taffy-colored hair and blue-grey eyes. She was smiling and looked very pretty as she stepped in. Jack Evans did not fail to notice how pretty his last passenger was. The two men got out at the first floorg the lady and little girl got out at the childi-en's department on the third floor. The pretty girl was the only pas- senger leftl Top floor, please, she said presently. Top door, thought Jack. She must be after a job or something because thatls where the offices are. Then he began to whistle softly, looking at the girl all the while. The girl, conscious of his intent gaze, fiushed and looked down. Suddenly the elevator came to an abrupt stop. The girl slid into one cor- ner, and Jack came down with a thud in the opposite corner. They looked so fo0l- ishly helpless that neither one could re- frain from laughing. Finally Jack com- posed himself once more, 'Tm terrible sorry, he apologized, but I didn't real- ize we were so near the end of our jour-

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12 THE JEXVEL iinancial backer of Apex Airlines, and we have to get him to Chicago regardless of the circumstances. The haze had turned to a line mist by the time the huge Douglas stood at the end of the covered walkway. Both motors ticked over assuringly. The huge silver hull glistened as the sil- ver drops spattered off its smooth skin. The floodlights cast their yellow glow over everything near the plane. VVarren was in his chair on the left hand side of' the pilots office. Glancing up from the instrument board, he noticed Taylor standing at the end of the walk- way with his flight sheet. Taylor was tall and dark headed. A neat black mus- tache adorned his upper lip. His cap was set at a jaunty' angle. How VVarren en- vied him! At exactly 7.35 p. m. a stern looking, middle-aged man dashed down to the cov- ered walk. He swung an over-night case from one hand and a brief case from the other. Wlarren caught only a glimpse of him, as he disappeared into the wet steel hull. Taylor got the last minute weath- er reports and hurried aboard. He took her down the field and swung her around into the wind. He soon had her off and shaped course for Chicago. The raindrops pelted against the windshield and the plane shuddered un- der the impact of the increasing wind. The radio began to emit queer sounds, and it soon became unbearable to keep the headphones on. At only brief inter- vals could they check their course with the radio beam. Theyl were forced to keep a close check on the compass. After about an hour out Taylor took her up to ten thousand feet. The rain drops thinned out and soon huge damp snow flakes began to pile up on the wind- shield despite the untiring efforts of the wipers. The static lessened for a brief inter- val. Yilarren got the Chicago weather re- port which stated that an electrical storm was in progress at the VVindy City. The visibility was practically nothing and the ceiling was only 700 feet. Under ordin- ary conditions a plane would not be al- lowed to land there, but because some stubborn old cuss had to get to Chicago to close a business deal, lives and equip- ment had to be risked. His luck had held out so far' and he had no kick coming. He picked up the mike and began chanting 'fFlight 60 to Chicago--go ahead Chicago--Y' 'lfhen without warning, one whole side of the windshield exploded into a mil- lion tiny pieces. In a moment NVarren re- gained his senses and saw what had hap- pened. Taylor was slumped over the control wheel and blood was pouring from a deep gash over his eye. On his lap lay a large wild duck which had probably flown toward the lighted cock- pit after having been lost for some time. VVarren set the automatic pilot and dragged Taylor' from his seat. He push- ed open the door and soon had Taylor in a seat. The man came foward, his face stricken with horror. NVarren suddenly realized that the man was Mr. Young, Jessica's father. Vifarren pointed to the first aid cabinet on the rear wall and then to the injured man. HFix him up. I've got to fly this crate to Chicagojl he said tersely. As he slid back into his seat, he not- iced the large duck to the floor. He hop- ed it was his good luck omen. He was forced to put on a large pair of gloves for the cockpit had become almost intoler- ably cold in his absence. The wind and snow poured through the gap in the wind- shield on the opposite side from XVE1I'I'Pll. but it cooled the air on the inside almost down to freezing temperature. The air began to grow rougher as the snow changed back to rain, and the spray penetrated to all parts of the cockpit. He fought with the controls of the huge ship and realized the need of another man on the other control wheel. Between the crashes of static he listened for the beam and found that he was still holding his course. Oh, if that beam should falter for even a minute--- First faint and then bright yellow and blue streaks of lightning began to streak the skies. The ship was tossed about like a shingle in a whirlpool. The

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14 THE JEVVEIL ney. The automatic control jerked us to a stop rather quickly. 'flt certainly did, the girl assured him, as she straightened her saucy pill- box hat. Then with a smile that display- ed an even row of pearly white teeth, she said, ttlim afraid you weren't watching the controls very closelyf' Jack blushed, then looked up and stammered, Huh?--Oh, I--that is--well, no. I guess I wasnlt . To be truthful, l was really looking' at you. If you have forgiven me, would you mind telling me your name if' UOf course I have forgiven you. My name is Connie Bryan. I came here look- ing for a job. You see, I wrote to the manager, Mr. Manship about the secre- tarial position I saw advertised in the paper. He suggested that I come down for an interview, so here I am!,' Jack looked surprised as Well as pleased. I hope you will get the job, he replied, Hthen I could ride you up and down often. VVith a bump included each time, I supposefl laughed Connie. Say do you realize we have been stopped here for 20 minutes? Hear those buzzers! You'd bet- ter let me out and get on the job. Jack was so happy that he could only stare at Connie and smile. Finally he managed to say--tWVell, Connie, I'll have to lower away, but please believe me when I say this is the nicest elevator trip I ever had. Incidently, I'll be around when your interview is over. Going down! Going down! Pl? 16 as Sis THE CONSPIRACY If I could only get away from it all! Just one short week is all I'd ask--- just to rest and read to my heart's con- tent, and not have this incessant worry over bills! bills! bills ! ran Lillian's thoughts as she emerged from the subway and wended her way through the crowd, which, like herself, was homeward bound, after another day at the office. She was not a beautiful girl, but there was about her an indefinable something which caus- ed passerby to think, 'tHow attractive she is! NVith her vivid blue eyes, fring- ed with long, dark lashes, and with satin- like skin, tinted blush pink by the wind and exercise, she, indeed, presented a lovely picture. A thrill of excitement entered her being as she noticed the new green of the grass, buds bursting forth on the trees, and the feeling of life be- ginning anew. She hastened her steps until she reached the apartment house, where her mother greeted her with a smile, saying, ttDinner is ready, dear, you must be hungry' after your walk, so I'll hustle things on while you get ready. Lillian hastily? put hat, coat, and scarf in the clothes press, performed her ablutions, and sat down to eat lunch. A few minutes later Mrs. Bennett went into the dining room. ttLillian, why aren't you eating? she exclaimed. At the sound of her mother's sympa- thetic voice, the girl burst into tears. Oh, Mother, she wept., I can't stand this continual strain of not knowing where the next cent is coming from. Mrs. Bennett replied grimly, 'tThat settles it! You are going to have a vaca- tion and--- But, Mother, interrupted Lillian, where shall we get the money? NI value my daughterls health more than money,', her mother quietly replied. YVe'll plan to go back to Maine. It was good to be back in the quiet, little town of her childhood. For the first time since her father's death, her mother really seemed happy and content. They spent hours walking by the sea, re- newing old friendships, and relaxing as much as possible. On the third day of their vacation, Mrs. Bennett went to call on a former school-mate, and Lillian decided to stroll along the coast. As she rounded the point, she came upon a man, seated upon a stone and gazing out to sea. He looked up quickly, then stood up, smiling, and advanced toward her. '4Am I dreaming or is it Lillian Bennett who approaches? he laughed. At once Lillian recognized