The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-11
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by BETTY WALLACE.

fore one In the morning. Marcia.
Tonight there's the Captains party
for you. II hardly see how
you"
But Jimmy won't he there,
either. Mother
"one OF you must be present"
her mother said gently. I'VE can't
disrupt Mrs. Blair's plans. II would
be objectionable" She did not say
so. but the conclusion hung in the
air that If the Illness had occurred
in their own family. II would be
different.
II can get bus TO Mobile"
Linda whispered. Il can even take
a taxi. If must"
oh, no. my dear. I merely
meant that there was no need of
both the prospective bride and
groom being absent from a party
In their honor. Maybe IL seems
silly to stand on ceremony, but the
Captain
Linda didn't want Jimmy Coo
per sitting beside her for hun
dred and fifty miles. But she had
to get to Daddy. She had to get
to him swiftly. Nothing else mat
tered. From Mobile 1t would be
overnight until she was home. be-
side Daddy. Seeing him with her
own eyes. Talking to the doctor.
Assuring herself that the half
formed disquieting fears in her
heart were not true. People had
heart attacks and didn't die"
For things like this, thank God
for speed ." she thought.
THANK God for planes" II only
men would use all their power. all
their miraculous knowledge. for
the good of things And that
brought her back. In the same end
less circle. to Jimmy. He was a
pilot. He flew planes every day.
But his planes were devoted to war
and the teaching of war. Forbid
den for an errand of mercy
Her things were packed, at last.
An enlisted man took down the
trunk. ready to be strapped to the
back OF Marcia's car. You can't
take that by plane. I'll send II to
the express office myself after
you've gone" Marcia said.
1t seemed ages before Jimmy
came. At last he was there. Quiet,
controlled. his eyes betraying no
memory of the blow she had given
him last night Marcia collared
him. talked in swift. low sentences.
Linda pressed handkerchief to
her lips, and said shakily, Good
by. Mrs. King. IL don't know
how to thank you"
Goodbye. Linda. hope you'll
find your father ever so much bet
ter than you expect
"oh. darling. I'm SO sorry this
had to happen." Marcia was
frankly weeping III it's only a
false alarm-and I hope it is, for
your sake and your dads-come
back for the wedding! Linda, I'd
even postpone it, if you could come
later"
Linda tried to smile. BE happy,
Marcia"
And all the time. Jimmy was
standing there. Tall. Drowned.
His big hands fiddling with his
cap, his eyes avoiding hers.
Jimmy. drive carefully, sweet"
Marcia stood on tiptoe, her face
lifted for his kiss Linda turned
away.
The familiarity. the possessive-
ness of that kiss burned into her
eyes even though she hadn't seen
It. And she thought that she must
be a monster to be thinking about
this, while Daddy was lying i'll at
home.
The last handwavings, the last
goodbys, were soon over. Jimmy
Cooper and Linda Storm were
alone in the little car. He said
nothing for a long time. 1t was
only when Pensacola was behind
them. and the white ribbon of the
road ahead, that he told her, I'm
dreadfully sorry"
That was all. Curiously, it was
enough. A current of strength
seemed 10 flow from him to her.
Her lips quivered, but she said
steadily. 1T was awfully kind of
you to undertake this long drive"
You know / wish l could do
more"
And there it was again, naked
and throbbing between them. The
same emotion, the same compelling
urge. the same hopeless feeling of
love and despair
The girl set her lips. She dared
not look at him. One hundred and
fifty miles. Three hours. at least.
Three hours or more of being
alone. of having this thing beating
it's wings like Gagged bird against
their hearts. Three hours of know
ing that he was beside her-his
strength and his love and the
longing that racked him.
ITS little enough to have, out
Of life time" she thought queer
w. But she was afraid, too. Afraid
because sitting beside him was
driving the thought OF her father
out Of her mind. Afraid because
in three hours. anything might
happen.
Ito Re Continued)