The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-01-08
, SERIAL STORY
BLACKOUT
BY RUTH AYERS

crop Of A. r. p signs have
sprouted In the park. Looks like
there isn't a mid-London building
that isn't knee-deep in sandbags
now. It's pretty grim. isn't it,"
Mary shook her head in agree
ment. He went on. I'm on air
raid emergency duty. You feel it's
pretty close when those warning
sirens begin to howl"
She looked up quickly. words on
her lips. This very young Ameri-
can doctor standing before her was
the one who'd rescued her in an
air raid that last night In the
restaurant with Vincent.
There could be no mistaking
that Yankee drawl-that flaming
hair and the massive shoulders of
a football player.
Then her lips closed. DIR. Lenox
would never connect that girl In
the restaurant with the pitiful per-
son standing before him.
And blackouts." DR.. Lenox was
saying, "I'n never get used to
them. There's something fright
ening about a blackout."
Blackout. The word struck her
sharply. She stared at DR.. Lenox
and he seemed to sense her
thought.
She began slowly, each syllable
torn from her tortuously. This
Is blackout for me. I had every
thing to live for before this hap
pened. I was In love--so very
much in love. And now. this aw-
full war has BACKED me out, too.
I'm manned. I don't want to see
anyone or have anyone plying
me-"
Averting her face, she felt Gil
bert Lenox touch her shoulder
gently. You mustn't feel like
that. I don't know much about
love but If it's as glorious as it's
supposed to be. nothing can change
It. You must believe 1t. It's your
life line. Have you been In touch
with your sweetheart ?"
mo. no." Mary cried. please
no."
Gilbert Lenox led her to a chair.
Then he took out notebook and
his fountain pen. write me his
name and address and let me ex-
plain what's happened to him."
He thrust the pen into her hand
and opened the book to blank
sheet.
Never would she write vincent's
name or address. Never would
she see him until she was herself
again--freed from the blackout
that held her prisoner.
Her hand with the pen In Il be-
gan to move. Instead of writing.
she made a few tentative lines.
London in war. London with Hyde
Park dotted with A. r. p. signs
and buses rolling on almost traf-
fic-free streets. The pen moved
jerkily at first and then more
freely.
DR.. Lenox bending down looked
puzzled. Gee. you can draw" he
said. That's clever"
Not since art school days had
Mary Carroll tried anything except
fashion sketches. 1t gave her a
funny. choked feeling to see this
fragmentary skyline sketch.
DIR. Lenox was patting her
shoulder encouragingly. You're a
swell kid and we're going to get
you well. Anna Winters"
Anna Winters. She was now
Anna Winters. She must act as
Anna Winters. talk as Anna VIM
tiers and be Anna until the day
came when her blackout could be
lifted. 1t would harm no one and
1t would give her the chance to
remain as a British subject in
London until the day when the
terrible Disagreement was gone
and she was reunited with VIM
cent
I've already talked to DIR,
O'Connell, London's most famous
plastic surgeon" DIR. Lenox said
Hes at the front now but when
he comes back. I'm going to have
him look at You. And now here's
some good news. You've had
enough hospital for awhile. You're
30 much better and stronger that
it's going to do you good to get
out Of here and be with your own
friends and people. Suppose we
make this your last day here?"