The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1939-08-21
CHAPTER XIV
BY BETTY WALLACE

Marcia was the first to recover
LINDA, you're here for Jimmy
aren't you?" There was nc
enmity In her voice, only wonder
you came all the way from
Queensville, Bill Brooks and ]
came In a borrowed ship, as soon
~ we heard -"
How In he, Marcia ?" There
was no use any more In pretend
ing. ''He's-he's not dying. u
he ?"
mo, but he's pretty bad" She
took Linda's hand, and led her
to the elevator. In silence, with
. mute embarrassment between
them. they approached Jimmy's
room.
bills In there now. IL left
them alone because-because ]
couldn't stop crying"
II won't cry" Linda said
steadily.
And then she was crossing the
small room. whispering, Jimmy"
He was swathed In bandages,
but his eyes were glowing up at
her were like burning Goals,
Linda" He tried to move his
arms, and couldn't. With stran-
gled sob. she flew to him. Jim
my. Jimmy"
Linda"
Don't try to talk. Jimmy. I'm
here. I'll stay here until you're
we'll"
II didn't want you worried
that's why I didn't wire you." he
numbled. Captain King was no.
titled automatically"
Bill Brooks, in a soft chair by
the window, made an awkward
sound In his throat. II guess III
CO."
There was 80 much she wanted
to say to Jimmy. but for the pres
ent, 1t was enough to kneel by
his bed and look at him. He was
going to be all right. She felt
1t In swift. flooding relief. all
through her body. He was dread
fully hurt. hut he'd recover.
81 met Marcia" she told him,
after a while. "She-she knows
about us now"
she had to know sometime, "
he said with difficulty. "She's got
Bin. I told you that before. He's
been washed out. He needs her"
A few minutes later the navy
doctor came In and asked her,
courteously, to leave. He's not
very strong"
II understand" She bent and
kissed Jimmy's forehead. I'm be
back In the morning. darling, as
soon as they'll let me In"
Marcia and Bill BROOKS were
waiting for her in the corridor
downstairs. Linda braced herself.
Now they'd have to have 1t out,
she and Marcia. But curiously,
Marcia wasn't hostile. you don't
know where you'll stay tonight,
do you? Bill can find you hotel.
Linda. there's something - some
thing Jimmy doesn't know. He'll
never fly again. At least. not for
the navy. They'll invalid him out,
when he gets we'll. It'll break his
heart"
She must have been speaking
with the doctor. Il feel so sorry
for him. / don't know what to
do. The navy was his life. l.
I've seen other men who had this
happen to them. It's always q
blow"
II they invaiided him out Of the
navy. Linda thought, 1t would be
the best thing that could happen
to him. Yet Marcia was right. It
would break Jimmy's heart.
Marcia went up with her. mat
ter-of-factly, to the hotel room.
You must be dreadfully tired,
Linda"
'-oh, Marcia. why do we 30 ON
talking all around the important
thing ?" Linda burst out. II know
you hate me. you must hate me,
but I couldn't help it, didn't
mean to fall In love with JIMMY"
Narcia's brown eyes filled with
tears. II know you didn't mean
to. Linda We've been 10 much to
each other. Closer. than sisters.
Do You think ] could suspect you,
even for a minute, of-of deliber'
ately s-sfealing Jimmy 2" She