The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-12-28
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a uhiIoW ESCAPE When MS DOmDink
plane had crashed.
To Mary at that moment, 1t
seemed as If nothing could ever
come between them. Not black
outs, nor bombing planes, nor
evacuation orders. As she reached
for his hand, she sensed a stir in
the room.
Turning, she saw regally
slender woman sweeping in. Mary
watched as the woman slowly
surveyed the diners in the dim
light Of the blue-green blackout
bulbs. The strangers gaze rested,
at last, upon Mary, then Vincent.
Then as her gaze met his in
recognition, she bowed slightly and
with lazy smile, turned and fol-
lowed the waiter to a table at the
far side of the room.
The intimacy of the glance she
had exchanged with Vincent gave
Mary a feeling of vague forebod-
ing. She shook it off. She said,
II think you're going to have a
very jealous wife, Vincent. I'm
seething at the way that gorgeous
woman looked at you. Who is
she ?"
She noticed Vincent lacked his
usual aplomb as he answered.
Hurried, why darling, that's the
famous Carla Marchetta."
"Oh-and should / know who
she is?"
Heavens, yes. You've seen her
picture often enough In the society
columns. She's a rounder-upper of
celebrities"
And you, my love-are you one
Of the celebrities she's been round
ing up?"
Vincent's black brows came to-
gether in a frown, but there was
trace of pride in his voice as he
said, well, I've been to Carla's
house in Mayfair, if that's what
you mean"
Mary sensed that Carla's mar
rowed eyes were still on Vincent,
but she couldn't be sure in the
blue-black light. Nor could she &C
count for the uneasiness that
Carla's glance had aroused in her.
With relief she saw the waiter APP
proach with coffee.
Then her eyes widened. Distinct
ly, she saw the waiter slip a card
into vincent's hand. Turning to
her fiance inquiringly, she saw
Vincent glance at the card. His
face was inscrutable when he look
ed up. Mary waited for an explana-
ton. When he said nothing, she
thought, This is what war nerves
do to people. I'm being jittery
about nothing"
And then it happened!
The card, the waiter, even the
glamorous Carla were blotted from
Mary's mind that instant. Rea
terror instead of an imaginary on,
chilled her blood.
Outside, a piercing siren walled
1t meant only one thing. The all
raid for which London had beer
gearing itself for months was here
Quick! Run for shelter"
It was as if everyone in the
restaurant spoke in one voice. TIT
dim lights snapped off and thu
room was plunged into inky black
ness expect for the beam Of tho
hand flashlight pointing the wa,
TO the basement door.
As Mary rushed toward thu
doorway something fluttered be
meath her hand. Unaware of whai
il was or what she did, she brush
ed II aside.
! Then she reached for Vincent''
hand. He was not at her side. win
cent?" she gasped. Vincent"
Outside. the siren continued IL:
screaming warning. It beat IL
Mary's ears. Trembling. breathles'
she was left alone as the crowd
pushed toward the stairs. Sudden
iy. her knees gave way and she
felt herself falling-falling, intC
the gaping darkness.
Mary screamed. STEADY there
strange deep male voice eau
toned. In the dark. Mary sensec
a pair of unfamiliar arms liftint
her and the rough brush Of
trench coat against her cheek.
She caught glimpse of smil
ing face above her as the flash
lights beam paused momentarily
upon her. Two other persons wer'
watching. Ito Be Continued