The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1937-04-21
TRAILER
ADVENTURE
BY Nard Jones
g 1897, keA ssn;es. i"e

They'll take your statements for
the files on the case, and then
you won't have to wait"
Tomorrow" Betty said, and
there was a genuine reluctance in
her voice. She turned to Martha.
I'D like to stay a few days and
look around Seattle. wouldn't
YOU"
Betty's desire for delay was so
obvious that Martha had to smile.
"Wc'd better not stay too long.
Remember that those news stories
got back home, and our families
will be expecting anything to hap
pen TO us now
Even TO marrying coast
guard man" said HowiSon.
Though his tone was facctiouS,
his glance at Betty Haynes gave
his words a balance Of gravity.
Suddenly realizing his implied
favoritism, he turned to Martha.
"By the way, Weeks said he might
be able TO join US later ut the
Olympic. I'm sure you'd both
like him. He's an interesting fell
low"
Martha failed to reflect his en-
thuiasm. Indeed, she was more
than pleased when they reached
the Olympic, and Betty and the
officer excused themselves To
dance. Safe from Bctty'S anxious
scrutiny, she felt less nervous.
She knew that Betty realized
something had happened TO her
during the time they were parted.
And eventually she must confidc
to her rricnd-but not now. IL
was all too close and too painful
now.
Grateful that the table lamp
was amber and dimly shaded. she
watched the dancers, picked out
IIowison and Betty from among
them. Plainly, they were falling
really in love with one another.
III had been apparent from that
moment in the coast guard cut
tcr's Statcr0om.
Martha looked up To see the
head waiter standing by her
chair. pardon me were you
expecting Il Mr.. Weeks at this
table,"
"Why, yes. Ask him to" She
stopped. Beyond the waiter was
handsome and smiling Gerry
Neal, impcccablc in dinner cloth
as. Martha palcd. Then, grabbing
u. her wrap and bag. she started
to rise.
He stepped forward quickly.
"Plcase, Martha I'm really
Guy Weeks. ! don't know wh"th-
cr you'll like il rs well rs the
other name or no,-but there II
u.s."
, With n gasp. she sank back into
her chair. but ] =" Martha
began weakly. and failed.
"You see. couldn't tell you ut
first because well. there in San
Diego | wasn't sure but what YOU
and Betty were part Of Ciznik's
outfit. Then, when ] felt utterly
certain you two were innocent
victims, | couldn't take the
chance of letting my identity be-
known. Things were getting too
hot. They were coming to boil
fast, and | didn't want the slight
est slip-up. That's why ] didn't
tell Won even when YOU had me
juggcd there at Eureka
He stopped, looking hungrlly
into Martha's joyful eyes. ~
hope you'll forgive me for NIL the
deccption-for keeping you guess
ing so long. Even there on the
coast guard boat didn't have II
chance to cxplain-and then ] re-
turned to Seattle on the ClZnlk
vessel"
"F-forgivc YOU" repeated
Martha happily. why, !"
His hand slipped over the white
cloth, took Martha'S firmly.
"Could you talk better If We
danced"
"Y-ycS."
But, curiouSly, they did not talk
ut all. They slipped into each
Others arms, tcndcrly. silently,
fused by the magic rhythm of II
tune they'd danced 10 that night
in Del Monte.
THE END