The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-08-01

Ing you 0readfullyI George, Just for two weeks, can't you lock up the laboratory to be with me? I need you. Love, Linda"
 She sent 1t air mail. Marcia approved of the idea. That's what ails you, all right. I know how I'd be If I were separated from Jimmy for two weeks. I shiver when I think of sea duty. And it's coming. But by that time, we'll be married and maybe I can manage to be sensible"
 It might not have been so bad, if, in the days that followed, Marcia had not innocently insisted on throwing Jimmy and Linda to- gether so much. But she wanted her friend to have a gay time, and she wanted Jimmy beside her, too. That meant that almost every even- ing there were young people in the living room aNd laughter and gay talk. And Jimmy Cooper, with that dazed look in his eyes. She couldn't avoid him too pointedly. Yet she dreaded the moments when they found them selves facing each other. Dreaded even the few words they ex- changed. Linda was waiting for an ans- wer from George. The third day after she had mailed the letter, 1t still hadn't come. She was tempted to telephone him. But he'd won- der what had happened, and so she kept herself from acting too panic stricken.
 That night--it was a Saturday. Marcia had arranged party at the Officers Club. Linda heard her telling Jimmy, Don't forget to dance with Linda. You haven't danced with her once since she's been here"
 An, the fool! The blind fool! A sob rose in Linda's throat. She stumbled blindly away. But the porch was no sanctuary either, be- cause 1t was here that she had first looked up into Jimmy's eyes.
 The Officers Club was not quite what she had expected. Men in uniform, girls in evening dress But the tables were bare, and the decorations far simpler than those in the night spots at home. Every one knew everyone else. There was much calling back and forth much familiar banter and teasing laughter.
 Linda was grateful for the lanky young lieutenant Marcia hao roped in to escort her. His name was Peter. He, too, was a flight instructor at the field. And he was much taken with her combi. nation of golden hair and golder eyes. How come the Navy didn't discover you long ago?" he wanted to know. i've never seer you before"
 She told him about Queensville Aha, just college widow" he said.
 Mo- he was brilliant. But he stuck close to her, and that wa. something. It protected her from looking at Jimmy Cooper too ob. viously. She prayed, too, tha Peters attentions would divert Marcia. Shell see I'm no wal flower. She doesn't need to force Jimmy to dance with me"
 But after she had danced sev. eral times with Peter, she say , Marcia nudging Jimmy. Lindi grabbed her vanity case, she stoot , up. Excuse me. T." She rar for the ladies' lounge.
 That was only 8 respite. Sht might have known she couldn't es. cape forever. The moment sht had dreaded came at last. Jimmy Cooper was bending over hei May I have this dancer"
 "I-I'm tired" she whispered He said qutely, T won't bite you"
 So she stood up and slipped into his arms, while Marcia regarded them both affectionately. Linda had known that dancing with Jimmy would be torture But she had not known that il would be heaven, too The music walled and sobbed around them and the touch of his arms raced