The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1940-07-13
SenOrita
from
Chicago
BY VIDA HURST
CONTINUED From Page 81

iCoDunuel FeIH tse =
goodbye. although he must have
known she was gong. All her
other friends were al the station TO
seer her off, laden with gifts Of
books and csnay. Her father, too,
with a self-conscious affectionate
expression which made her realize
that he hated TO see her go far
more than he was admitting. His
unsmiling anxious face was the
last she saw as the train began
to move.
These last weeks had been a
strain on both of them. She was
glad to have them over. Now at
last she could relax and look for
ward to a voyage all by herself on
a ship where there would be not
one single soul to remind her OF
Chicago
She thoroughly enjoyed those
hours on the train and later in
the charming quaint old city of
New orleans. 1t was fun register
ing at a hotel and sending the
farewell wira to her father. Ex-
citing 10 order a taxi, repack her
overnight bag, and arrive at the
pier.
But when she saw the ship she
was disappointed. She had chosen
cargo liner because it took
longer but it looked so much
smaller In reality than it had IN
the pictures. There was great
deal of confusion and bustling
about but very little attention was
paid to the passengers. Sheila.
who had sailed on luxury liners
to Europe. felt slightly let down.
The upper deck was practically
deserted. Tea was being served
in the lounge but she saw no one
there who looked interesting. Con-
trary to her previous experiences,
there were no gay groups bidding
farewell to departing friends.
Everyone locked sad and rather
worried. Was this because Of the
fact that submarines had been
seen in the South Atlantic? But
her father had assured her she
would be safe on an American
ship. The flag was painted on this
one in bright. new colors. She had
seen it when she came aboard,
In her room, which was large
and cool from the electric fans.
she found little heap of tele-
grams and several boxes of flow
ers. None from Bob, but then
she hadn't expected any.
Bob wasn't the type to make
any gracious gestures especially
now when their engagement had
been broken. Her trunk was still
in the storeroom 80 there was
nothing to do but arrange her
toilet articles and put away the
things from her overnight bag and
one suitcase. Maybe she'd better
go above after all. There might be
music or some confetti throwing
or something.
Instead she found a few scat
tered passengers staring moodily
at the pier where small knots of
people were standing. As the
ship began to move some one
started to sing Until We Meet
Again" Shella who had antici-
pated a gay departure, felt
lump rising IN her throat.
After all it was a serious bust
ness leaving your country in times
like these. OF course there was no
real danger yet but who knew
what might happen before she re-
turned Always before her father
had been With her. It was entirely
different sailing by yourself. Alone
and unprotected.
Unable to bear the strains of
the mournful song Shelia turned
and almost ran TO the other side
of the deck. Tears blurred her vi
sion so that she did not see the
tall, loosely built man standing
alone. But he saw her and look
of amazement mixed with SYM
pathy came into his blue eyes az
he said, Not feeling homesick,
are you?"
Swallowing the tears which felt
as if they would choke her Sheila
gulped. WHY, Jim Davis, what
are you doing here ,"
To Be Continuedl