The Ypsilanti daily press. (Ypsilanti, Mich.) 1928-1962, 1940-11-14
Before The Blitzkrieg
by Rupert Grayson


THERE ARE degrees and differ
snces in discomfort. While Tommy
Hazeldeane and Gun were expert
encing one variety in their captiv-
lily. X. in his comparative liberty,
was becoming familiar with an
other.
Five days ago Gun and Hazel
deane were descending from the
blue into something that seemed
to be even bluer-and since then
no word or sign had come from
them.
He was fully alive to the risks
they ran, and the duration of the
silence was making hir feel that
the worst must have happened.
Toni was another anxiety. He
knew how she felt toward her hus-
band, and the thought of the trag-
edy of her as a widow-and with
himself, in a sense, responsible for
twas apt TO keep him awake at
nights. This was an experience he
was not used to where what he
would call "the ordinary risks of
the game" were concerned.
He had been avoiding Toni-pur-
posely, because he was really I'M
comfortable at the idea of meet
Ing her-another new sensation for
him,
But that evening lie ran right
into her at Lady Oxted where
he had 70 60 on particular bust
ness. The countess was a very old
friend of his, and would always
ask anyone to her parties at his re-
quest. This, at times, made very
convenient rendezvous for keeping
in touch with some of his people
He saw Toni first in the crowd
ed ballroom. The expensive sim
plicity of her frock and the per-
lection of her carriage made Toni
distinguished in any crowd. The
moment he saw her X yielded to
cowardice, and began to take COW
err. But she, too, had seen him, and
deftly intercepted his move.
You were trying to avoid mew
she said
Nonsense, my dear, you're i'm
agining things" He met her gaze
steadily with the lie, and noticed
that. beautiful and night-blue as
ever, her eyes held anxiety.
why were you trying to avoid
me-" she persisted, and now anxi-
ETY. tinged her voice, too.
81 have already told you l
wasn't"
She ignored his protests.
Has - anything happened to
Gun ?"
'No-not that know of" He
met her eyes quite squarely this
time. They seemed to be searching
the inmost places of his mind.
"Well. Toni, when you married
Gun you knew you were marrying
a secret agent"
''Oh.- / knew all right, X;-the
trouble is, never realized" she
sighed II know it's no use asking
you where he is ~
mot a Bit" X tried, not too
successfully, careless smile.
For one thing. l don't exactly
know myselfw
But you're anxious about some
thing about HIM Why?"
X knew her mettle. 1t was best
to be frank with her-or, at any
rate. as frank as possible.
Il should like some news of
him." he admitted.
ANY reason why he should not
communicated?
"Oh, Lord. several! Last
time 1 heard he SAID he didn't
know when he. could get in touch
again"
All" She seemed to be think
ing. In the clearness OF her eyes
there was a far-away look. Then
she sighed again. but this time
with relief, and exclaimed: Hes
all right-as yeti"
rs he? Well, I'm glad TO hear
it-but how the deuce do you
know ?"
She laughed--a low. contralto
note that was very pleasing to his
ear.
"Oh, I knowl Or rather. l should
know If anything was really wrong
with him. I've been horribly anx-
ious. but think it was YOUR
anxiety rcacting on me. You
HAVE been anxious, haven't
you2"
Just little" he admitted. But
feel better after what you've
said BY the way, hang on for a