Nogales international., 1932-12-07

L,
"Say, Duke--about old Windy
Give him all the breaks you can
His heart and soul are sort Of bound
up in the navy--in his job"
"Sure, Jack. i won't ride him. II
that's what you mean"
Griffin nodded. started the auto
mobile UP with a jerk, 70: he still
found 1t difficult to drive with but
one hand. in spite OF the hours he
had devoted. since leaving the hos
pttal. to practice.
The bugle sounded Assembly, and
Jack Griffin stopped his car short
distance further away for a last look
at the field and the 200 airplanes
drawn up in formation on the line.
the men drawn UP III front Of the
planes in precise double ranks. They
were going out to the Saratoga to
begin the trip to Panama. and he
was out of it all. Never again would
he ride in airplane No. and give the
orders to the ships of the Squadron:
no more for him to ride the wind.
pierce the clouds, outfly the eagle.
dive sickeningly towards the earth
from a tremendous height to drop
bombs upon an imaginary enemy. If
his country got into war he would
be out of it, unable to serve.
Jack Griffin was blue and niser-
able. He loved the service. loved his
men And then the 200 airplanes
started off at once in roar that sent
his spirits skyrocketing. The taking
1fF 81 (Nf oil ic
beautiful and inspiring sight. one
that always thrilled him. He watched
them rise into the air. his throat dry
and aching: watched them swing back
over the hangers in single mass
formation and pass over his head.
He saw an arm waving at him from
the rear cockpit OF one Of the planes.
1t was Windy! Re could Just make
him out. He took Off his cap and
waved it slowly. in farewell to Windy
Riker. in farewell to the squadron he
had once commanded.
And then be became aware OF a
gray roadster that came dashing across
the bridge to the island. It drew up
not far from his own car. and a beau
tiful young girl in gray sat there star
ing after the disappearing airp,anes.
She waved handkerchief feebly.
then applied 1t to her" eyes. trying
to keep back the tears. She gave UP
trying after a time. leaned her head
down on the steering wheel and wept.
Have they all gomez" she asked.
Eyes, all except me-" he answered.
stopping his car. They're of on
cruise to Panama"
The airplane carrier Saratoga was
heading south under full steam. In
the C.P.O. berthing quarters. some Of
the men were busy storing away their
belongings, others were seeking their
hunks. while still others were enter
ing with their sea bags and ditty
boxes. Steve Nelson sat on his bunk
near the door, unpacking for the
cruise. Windy and Badly entered.
dragging their sea bags, and began
looking for their berths. Windy's was
but two hunks away from Steve's and
when he saw Steve unpacking he
glared at him moment Indignantly.
affronted at berthing SO near to him.
Then he began unpacking. took cut
the photo Of Name Kelsey and sought
a place to hang it.
"It won't be long now, baby" he
addressed the portrait, throwing it on
his pillow to rummage in his pocket
for cigarette. His pocket was empty.
eli, Badly! Break out a cigarette"
Badly, two hunks further down the
C.P.O. quarters, shook his head, in
dicating he was in the same predica-
or 10
one from whom he could borrow and
saw Steve Nelson place a package Of
cigarettes on his bunk while he lit
one. Windy stepped over to him and
reached for the package. just as Steve
calmly picked 1t up and put it in his
pocket.
Come on. loosen up" said Windy.
impatiently. Gimme a cigarette
81 wouldn't give you the tartar of
my teeth" responded Steve. evenly.
without looking UP.
Windy stared at him moment.
undecided whether to be amused or
indignant at the rebuff. Then he
laughed and assumed the mincing
carriage and voice Of Lulu.
"Oh, Steve, so you're trying to give
your sweet mama the run around?
And after all we've been to each otheri
When trusted you sol Oh, Steve!
You're breaking my hearth"
He put his head on his arm and
began to sob loudly. a sob that was
a below as 1t turned into laugh. At
the steely look which Steve Nelson
raised to him. Windy suddenly rea-
lied that he had given his own show
away. had spilled the beans. He
hadn't intended to do that--oniy his
indignation at the refusal OF cigar
cite had carried him so far. Well, 1t
couldn't be helped now: he'd bluff his
way through. He returned to his own
bunk and resumed his unpacking.
Steve got up from his berth ana
walked slowly over to Windy. His
eyes glittered, but his voice was low
and even.
"Riker. I'm glad to find out eractly
who it was that doublecrossed me
with my girl"
Jaw, we cid her a good turn" said
Windy. facing Steve. "a damned good
turn, if she only knew it. Didn't we,
BaIdy?"
We'll" returned Badly. obviously,
at seemed like a good idea at the time,
but maybe it went wrong"
"Riker, some day one OF your stupid
jokes is going to bounce right off your