The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-14
A YANK I'm
THE R. A. F.
Bv HARLAN THOMAS

inE, h sifooe RACK % hets ne vas
breathing hard. I said was sor-
N. didn't /" he burst out
she looked Up IN sstonishment
I crswled-I said ! vas ike
dirt. What more do have TO do -
ne c.claimed.
But I'm not angry she said
calmly. Really IN not.
She started for the bedroom.
Tim threw down his coat and bat
tered hat upon the couch and made
after her. He grabbed her arm
and pulled her around to him. For
God sake. stop needing me. Why
don't you bswl me out and get 1t
over with
"Bawl you out ." she asked re-
motley. Why should l do that?
don't mind that you didn't show
up"
She turned away. Tim, redden-
ing. now losing all control, grab
bed her arm and pulled her about
again. Now look here. What the
hell Is this all about? >"
She looked at him directly and
calmly. Nothing, Tim. Nothing.
Except that we're through, that's
all. Not just sgain-but through
for keeps"
He made one last attempt He
answered her words by gripping
her tightly, drawing her toward
him, depriving her of all move
ment. and kissing her. He ex-
pected the old magic to work
again. But this time she did not
yield or falter; with new, unfa-
milisr strength she pushed him
away. Tim stood amazed. Say
he burst out. That must have
been some weekend
1T was" she chimed in defi-
sntly.
He couldn't have spent all his
time picking flowers
He didn't
Tim looked as If he had been
struck in the face.
He did something that would
never even occur to you" she
went on, gathering force, proudly.
Something you couldn't under
stand, He-he asked me TO marry
him"
/ She stood in front of Tim in
triumph. Tim said oh" He
thought moment and began to
relax. is that it2 Is that what
it is? Is that what's bothering
you - he repeated, recovering. He
grinned. you silly girl, Why
didn't you say so, Damn il, if you
really want to get married, honey,
III marry you"
Carol stepped back, dumbfound-
ed Her shoulders slumped sud-
denly in her humiliation. Then a
surge of anger swept through her.
you mean you'd make that great
sacrifice-just for me ,"
Sure, he said, stung by the
sarcasm, but yet trying to keep
up the self-assured front. IF you
say the word, well get married
tonight"
She studied him. The anger
famed and then subsidized. She had
been hurt-but she knew her own
mind now. She was not going to
be hurt again. That's really sw-
fully sweet of you, Tim" she
echoed. Her voice had dropped TO
whisper. Your proposal was
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES a
girl could want II to be-" Sudden
ly she hardened. But for your
personal information, I'd rather
marry :"
She broke off. She breathed
deeply and went on in a calm
voice again. I'm very grateful.
but l can't accept. Now please
60"
Tim, bewildered. watched her
turn away from him, go into the
bedroom, and slam the door be-
hind her. An instant later there
was a shrek. Carol threw open
the door. and in a cold fury crossed
the room. And get that creature
out of my bed"
She locked herself wildly in the
bathroom.
A few moments later. Roger
Pillby made his way out of the
bedroom. He had been sleeping in
his clothes. His sandy hair was
rumpled. He looked dazed. II say,
he appealed, still shaky What
was that? Did someone come in 20
Tim stood in the middle of the
room. drawn. pale, frustrated.
NO" he called back absently.
Someone went out"
Gould II have been >" Roger
looked Mortified. No! Not her"
Tim started out of the apart
ment
/ Roger Pillby trudged after him
helplessly. 1T was, Dash it all,
muffed again
ITO be continued)