The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-08
A YANK In
THE R. A. F.
By HARLAN THOMAS

CONTINUED ? rom feEe Eak nj
and awoke him. He blinked over
a. the connection. he was on the
point II yswning and turning
hack u sleep when MS eve fell
upon ths newcomer. lmpulsiVely
he got to his feet. pushed hack
his sandy hair into some sort II
order and went over. Il know
YOU he said to Tim. before any
one could introduce him. You're
the man who wouldn't introduce
me to Carol Brown at the Dor
chester
Tim glanced a. the earnest.
eager. freckled face before him.
sure.
I'm Roger Pinhy." the young
man followed up. Then something
occurred 70 him. He looked past
Tim to Wing Commander Morley.
4 say" he blurted. This Is re-
msrkable." He smiled boyishly.
why. the Commander here
wouldn't introduce me TO her
either. you know. Almost sort
Of conspiracy, eh7'
I'm shot a surprised look at
Morley. Morley was equally sur
prised to hear of Tins interest in
Carol.
Fancy this" Roger went on in
nocently and blandly. "All the
men who wouldn't introduce me to
her in one room! Well, after we've
bled and died together, trust YOU
chaps will reconsider snd-well-
give me try
Tim vas still ewing Morley. We
seem to have a great deal more in
common than thought, sir
Abashed, but quietly holding his
ground in front Of the younger
men, Morley answered, Apparent
] ly."
Roger stood brightly between
them. 4 suggest We start a club
for admiring Miss Brown" He
surveyed the group, who stood
amused and mystified by the un-
dercurrents between the three
takers. I'm sure we can dig up
a few more chaps. Wen have a
bylaw that, as soon as you're mi
tiated. whoever knows her has to
! introduce all the others"
Tim offered his Commander a
cigarette known her long 80
Morley took one. Not very"
Il haven't seen much of her
lately Tim put in. He held a
light to Morley. Been sort of
confined in that training routine
Of yours. How is she ,"
Morley eyed him over the flare
of the match. Splendid"
There was an awkward silence.
Tim lit up. Perhaps you'd like
to see the place. Roger blurted
to Tim. He pointed to the sofa on
which he had been doing. That's
the Blue Room He addressed a
bureau. That's the Hall of Mir
rors. where we hold all our
soirees." Then he picked up a
small beer keg which stood on the
center table. A half dozen names
had been carved in its stout wood.
Now, let's see" Roger went on
blandly, measuring the lettering
with his fingers. Barker Yes,
thatll fit nicely. Starting Rich
ardson's the chap who is out of
luck. I insist he carve his own
name beforehand.
What's it for ," Tim asked.
Roger Pillby sobered at last.
Sort of an In Memoriam business.
When the lads don't come back,
we carve their names there" He
looked up youthfully and proudly.
Il do the carving. you know. Neat.
don't you think? Always took to
it, from the time l could hold a
knife"
The phone rang All the men
fell silent as they looked over at
II. Richardson hurried to the
stand and picked up the receiver.
Il Yes, he said quietly. Yes. sir"
He hung up. We're wanted in the
Operations Room"
Roger Plliby still held the barrel
in his hand. Haven't had a
chance TO add Wilson's name" he
said as he gently set it down.
7 They started out. Morley went
first. Roger fell in beside Tim.
Hes the lad you're replacing, you
know" he explained.
TO be continued)