Evening star., 1939-10-22


take only few days at the most. That
couldn't do any harm. 1t was funny when
he thought about it - how little difference
the three years had made
Ten minutes later he was back at Liberty
headquarters. Greg Monahan had a map
ready, spread out on the glass topped desk.
He pointed to Galway, tiny speck on the
Maine coast surrounded by blank green
area which Haley knew only too well was
tangled, empty wilderness.
Think we oughta 60 up?" asked Greg.
There's nothin' new, but public interest is
runnin' pretty strong about those two crazy
guys. It's big story, Haley. And we don't
want that Universal crowd to be gettin' any
jumps on US. ="
We'll wait while and see," decided
Haley. staring out of the window with sharp,
dark eyes. During a short span of years
Haley Mackerson had won for himself repu-
tation as one of the best specal-events men
in the business. Life was an endless succession
of whirlwind trips to far places, covering spot
news for the vast Liberty audience.
He turned and reached for the telephone
Gimme Traffic, he snapped. Then: What
can you do for us between here and Galway,
Maine? I'd like to get lines installed by seven
O'Clock. It's $50 now" he added, glancing
at the electric clock on the wall "See what
you can work out" Then he called the en-
gineering department. assembling a crew of
remote men with portable short wave trans
mltter and other necessary equipment.
Order up that amphibian we used on the
Jersey oil fire last month. he told Monahan.
I'VE can put down right in the ha1bor at
Galway if the weather is open enough" 1t was
funny little harbor he remembered, with
sharp rocks around its entrance. He used to
fish off them about this time of the year.
Sometimes he'd 60 out with the fishermen in
their smelly dories to help haul up the lobster
pots.
A telephone rang. The telephone lines
would be installed Immediately, reported the
hafhc department. From the engineering de-
partment came the terse report that crew
stood by in the mobile unit, ready to roll And
out at North Beach Airport stubby am
phibian was being trundled out of its hangar
We'll take that 7:3O sustaining spot to-
night for our first show" declared Haley,
glancing over the program schedule. ''Thatu
give us chance for an opening on-the- scene
broadcast. Try and clear me quarter hour
about nine. III yell for the air as soon as
there's any news. He picked up his hat.
The phone rang once more. Galway,
Maine, is calling Mr.. Haley Mackerson."
The voice sounded very far away. Hello,
Haley?' it queried, and the stern Haley
Mackerson frightened like bowstring. When
he said. Yes. his voice was hoarse
Haley. this is Ruth Emerson up at Galway.
I'm handling special features for the local
station these days, and was wondering if
you'd care to have US cover the Valky1ie
story for the Liberty network. understand
you're having lines put through and {. il. well
-. we'd be glad to feed our broadcasts to you
without charge"
For second he hesitated. Then, mo" he
said. That's awfully kind, but we plan our
own ooverage. Well be there in a couple of
hours with full crew. Maybe we can do some
thing for you, though" Immediately he
wished he hadn't said it. 1t had sounded con-
ceited. But she gave no indication of noticing.
IN be seeing you then, Haley" she said BE-
fore hanging up.
He'd be seeing her, too. That's what Haley
was afraid of. 1t was the one thing he wanted
to avoid. He jammed on his hat and charged
through the door.
The amphihian lifted easily into the late