The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-18
WAR and q
w ON A n
BY BETTY WALLACE
CAST or CHARACTERS

CAST or CHARACTERS
LINDA SToRN--Feil In love With
her best friends fiance.
MARCIA kING-Nasy girl. loved
fiirr
JIMMY cooPER-SasaI flying in
structor at Pensacola.
fiance.
Yesterday. Linda tells Jimmy their
marriage Is Impossible while her
father lives. while Jimmy remains
In the navy. Later she meets George
refuses 10 tell him about Jimmy
gives back his ring.
CHAPTER XIII
Linda Startled out of his
calm. George Cameron was grab
bling at her. Linda, you can't
do this"
She eluded him. ran up the steps
and yanked at the door. Behind
her, she heard a tiny metallic
sound as the platinum and dia-
mond engagement ring fell to the
stone walk. Then she was STUN
bling inside. closing the door
against him. She stood with her
back against 1t, her breath COM
ing fast, for long minute before
she went upstairs. George would
not ring the bell. nor hammer on
the door. He'd go away, quietly.
She knew him that well.
She did not realize until much
later that her subconscious mind
had acted against the will she had
imposed on herself. Break the
engagement" Jimmy had pleaded.
Shed replied that she couldn't.
And yet, almost before his air.
liner had time to take off from
the airport. that blind impulse to
tear Georges ring off her finger
had egged her on.
With a sinking heart, she re-
membered Daddy. If she didn't
placate George quickly. Daddy
would hear of this. He must not
hear of il.
mo shocks" DR.. Logan had or
dered What a monster she was
becoming What selfish, insane
fool!
But on Monday, she could not
force herself to telephone George.
1t was better over. No matter
what happened, this much was
finished. II only she could hide 1t
from Daddy little while, until he
was stronger.
She dreaded the time when
Daddy would ask, Where's
George? He hasn't come to see
me-"
Yet when the day came-only
three days after that fatal Sunday
she managed to answer, lightly
enough, He's been busy at the
laboratory. suppose"
Her father looked at her. Linda,
you're keeping something from
me. I've tried to get it out of
but she's like clam
when she wants to be-"
The palms of her hands were
wet, and her mouth was dry. No
shocks, DR.. Logan had ordered.
No shocks. How funny of you,
Daddy, to think I'm hiding a deep,
dark secret" she managed to say.
What could l possibly be hid
ing ?"
You've quarreled with George,
haven't you ?" The quiet voice was
implacable. You never used to
lie to me, Linda. But now, be-
hind your smiling, you're not the
same girl. Can't you confide in
me? Tell me what's wrong"
She bent forward and touched
the frail, veined hand. "Nothing's
wrong, Daddy. Really"
II want you to be happy he
persisted. IF you've found that
George can't make you happy
that's all right. II don't MIND
as much as you think, my dear
He patted her hand affectionately
Sometimes l thought 1t was my
influence that was the only cause
for your ever having become in.
terested in George. l used Il
wonder if it was. Because you're
so young and alive-the way your
mother was"
Her mother. She had died wher
Linda was baby. Daddy seldom
mentioned her, his grief and loss
had gone too deep.
George is fine man, Linda
You know what think of him as
scientist and teacher. But wher
saw you two together. some.
times, ! had my doubts. I refused
to face them He smiled in q
wry way. Il told myself that
your youth and beauty were not
as vulnerable as they seemed to
me. l told myself you were
enough my daughter to value
Georges mind, his scholarly
achievements. was an old fool
my dear. You are your mothers
daughter. She married me for nc
reason in the world except that
we loved each other"
/ Continued on Page is. Column 81