The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-07
. SERIAL STORY
WAR AND A WOMAN
BY BETTY WALLACE eo,r.e.r. 1913.
coprRioAT. 1888.
sEa SERVICE. INC

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weddingr Remember how we useC
to talk about when we'd get mar
ried and be each others maid Of
honor? You can't go home.
need you"
I'm afraid I've spoiled it fol
you already. What a Junk I an
sometimes
You're not a lunkt I respect
your opinions, even if don't agree
with some of them. What does
anything matter, anyway, but the
fact that we're friends ?" Her
voice quivered. Lots of times we
argued about sillier things at Miss
Lindley's. It's merely that you've
been brought up one way, and /
another. But Linda, II never
had a sister. And ever since we
roomed together. 1--we had
you
Lindas heart turned over, and
the hot blood stung her cheeks.
Dear Marcia. So sweet and loving
and generous. Giving her trust
and whole heart so guilelessly.
While all the time, it was Jimmy
Cooper that Linda was afraid of.
The planes. too. But Jimmy more
than any bomber ever built. jim
my's nearness was more terrible
at this moment than any bloody
news from across the sea.
If 1t killed her, Linda Storm re-
solved, she must not betray Mar
cia's trust in her. She must try to
be cool and casual with Jimmy.
She must try to pretend he was
only another man in a world full
of men. But she must not snap
at him, she must not be too cold
either. That was the most diff
cult part of it all. Because if she
was unfriendly. Marcia would be
hurt cruelty. But how could she
be close to him and still hold fast
to reason and judgment?
Forgive me. honey" she man.
aged TO say, humbly. Let's 60
down. Bring on your flying field
and your airplanes. III try to see
them with your eyes"
Marcia's grateful smile was re-
ward enough. And yet, going
down the stairs a moment later,
Linda rallied herself consciously
against the impact of this meeting
with Jimmy Cooper. She girded
all her mental armor. Then she
looked directly at the tall figure
who rose from the sofa to greet
them, and murmured. Good morn
ing"
Linda dawdled,' Marcia was
explaining to him. Jimmy, are
you very hungry for your break
fast?"
Starved" he said briefly. He
was staring at her. She could feel
his eyes. She could even sense the
when he reused himself
and turned TO Marcia.
At the breakfast table. Marcia's
mother presided. She was a smart,
woman in crisp
morning dress. About her was the
invisible aura Of position and COM
mand which her husbands high
naval post had bestowed upon her.
You knew. looking at her, that she
was capable and shrewd as well
as gracious.
Mrs. King said. Your father
couldn't wait, of course. Marcia"
She turned to Linda. And how
40 you like Pensacola >"
Marcia cut in hastily. "oh, shes
hardly seen it, Mother"
You were lucky to get so en-
thusiastic a guide as Jimmy. in
that case. Linda my dear. Well
soon have you converted into an
ardent flying fan Jimmy is
up in his work here and
believes in il as few other men do.
OF course, all Of us are
partisan
He would be just the kind Of
nan who would be wrapped up
n his work. He was enough like
George Cameron for that The
'ame steel. the same strength. In
Jimmy the steel was more finely
empered. the strength more like
he strength of slender wire than
! concrete wall.
She had often reflected that
George used the bsttering ram Of
4