The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-25
. SERIAL STORY
B1ackOut
fcontinned from Page 81
By RUTH AYERS
coovr,eht 1899. NEA Service. Inc-


ing on helmet and goggles. The
plane TAXED along the runway and
then lifted. its wings at sharp
angles against the morning sun.
Standing there motionless, Mary
knew then that when he went,
some part Of her life went with
him. Always. she'd remember the
way he'd smiled and the crooked
lift OF his eyebrow. He loved her
the gay part of 1.-THE carefree
part.
She knew, too, that Vincent had
planned all this. The borrowed
car, the waiting plane. He'd even
used her to shield his getaway.
Yes, he'd rather die than be inn
prisoned. Perhaps he was in this
spy plot deeper than she knew.
But even IL he were, she could
never hate him - she could only
pity him.
Turning toward vincent's car.
Mary saw another auto pulling
down the sandy road. Startled.
she thought it was a Scotland
Yard patrol. Instead, she began
to tremble when she saw Gilbert
Lenox' red head.
She ran towards him, her arms
outstretched "Oh, Gilbert" she
cried. You're the one person in
all the world I want to see most.
Vincent's gone. I couldn't stop
him."
Il know. Gilbert put her head
against his shoulder. las soon as
you walked out of the hospital.
I knew had TO follow you, fool
ish, loyal little idiot that you are.
I kept track Of you when you
joined Vincent at the tobacco shop.
There were some awful minutes
when I thought you might weaken
and try to go with him. But when
I guessed his destination was this
air field. something told me you
would stay behind"
Mary broke down in the COM
forting protection of Gilbert's
strong arms. "I'll have to go to
Scotland Yard at once" she began
in strangled voice. IT'S my fault
that Vincent got away"
"Come on" Gilbert said gently,
although I've a hunch you don't
have to worry. The morning pa
pers are filled with your wonder
full feat. You're England's heroine
today-and I'm proud you have
my name"
She could only stare at him, all
her heart looking out of her eyes.
Shed wanted to spare him this
hateful publicity = and here he
was, glowing with pride in her.
In Inspector Babcock's office, it
was as busy as it had been hours
before in the excitement of Carla
Marchetta's capture.
The inspector saw Mary and
beckoned to her. MY dear, I
know what you're going to tell me.
Vincent Gregg got awsy-but it's
not your fault. And 1t really
doesn't matter for the present.
The Regency is saved and we've
had full confession from Felix,
the Marchetta woman's real con-
federate. There's time enough to
get the other members of the
ring"
He leaned closer, his eyes IA
therly as they rested on her drawn
face. Because of the great serv-
ice you've done for us, we were
prepared to do nothing worse to
your sweetheart than to exile him.
And now he's done that himself"
Thank you'll" Mary's head
dropped. No time now to explain
to Inspector Babcock that Vincent
was no longer her sweetheart. Her
last loyalty to him had ended
when he'd waved goodby from the
plane.
Gilbert was waiting for her in
his car outside. "All set ?" and
he was smiling.
Joy at the sight Of him over
ftOusad IN Mara rrh;. - L.Is
doctor was so strong, so steady.
so exactly everything that a real
man should be.
It's like coming home" she
sighed as she leaned against him.
You bet 1t is" Gilbert said
huskily. I've loved you right
from the start-in the air raid that
first night and from the minute
you were brought into the hospital
as Anna Winters"
Annals name brought a thou
sand memories flooding back.
Anna Winters. the dear, gentle
English girl who'd died on the
Moravia. But Anna, dead. had
lived on in the happiness she'd
at last brought to the gill who'd
taken her name.
No time for tears" Gilbert was
saying, his handkerchief pattinR
her cheeks.
II all Scotland Yard had been
looking from the windows. he
wouldn't have cared as he bent to
kiss her.
As IL 1t had been q signal, sun
broke through the London fog.
Happy is the bride" Mary muir
INJURED. "the sun shines on"
No blackout could ever blot out
her happiness again.
The End
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