Worcester Democrat and the ledger-enterprise., 1941-05-16
SYNOPSIS


nets, makes forced landing on a
golf course in Kent, England, where
he meets lovely Wendy Bruce, on
leave from the Ambulance Corps
Just as David finishes repairing his
plane, he hears that familiar drOne
in the sky. Seeing three Messer-
schmidts chasing one Spitfire, he flies
off to join in the fight. Wendy
stands rooted to the spot, watching
the battle till the planes disappear
in the clouds. Then she wends her
way to "The Downs, ancestral home
of her father, Lord HarrOwdale. War
had changed the luxurious mode of
life at "The Downs" for all were do
ing their bit; his LOrdship was an air
raid warden, while Lady HarrOwsdale
directed the local hospital. Wendy
can't get the American out of her
mind: even now he might be lying
on the ground somewhere. wounded
or dead.
CHAPTER 2
Once a year he and his wife jour-
neyed to London for a month to see
the shows, renew their wardrobes,
and attend to any business with the
family solicitors that was pressing.
Then there was the annual trip to
Scotland in the autumn to visit Lady
Harrowsdale's family and shoot
grouse. But both of them always re-
turned to "The Downs" with sigh
of relief and contentment.
Lord Harrowsdale had been severe
ly wounded at Mont KENNEL in 1917,
and had had long convalescence af-
ter being at deaths door; but, all in
all life had been good to them so far,
and they were happy. The war had
naturally made certain changes in
their mode of life. His Lordship was
head of the air raid wardens for that
part of the country and, while Ger
man planes had not been active there
to date, he had organized well for the
day, or night, when they would come.
Her Ladyship directed the local hos
pital for sick and wounded officers
and, as this was now continually full,
her duties took a great part of her
time.
AS Wendy drew nearer the house, she
recognized the stocky figure of the
young man who was waving her a
greeting. 1t was Philip, her only
brother, about whom she had spoken
to David. He was a powerful look
ing youth of twenty, one year almost
to the day her senior. A strong bond
of affection, which they were careful
to disguise under a cover of light
ness that was almost flippant, exist
ed between them. AS soon as he saw
her, Philip started walking briskly to
meet her, his unruly shock of blond
hair uncovered to the sun, and smoke
from his pipe whirling out in great
puffs behind him. Every move he
made, everything he did, gave the i'm
preston of tremendous vigor, even
down to the way he smoked his pipe.
Hello, old grill" he shouted.
Darling, I'm so glad!"
They came together and kissed.
Then she held him off at arms length
and studied the breast of his new
tunic, with it's shining wings standing
out clearly in contrast to the light
blue material of the Royal Air Force.
"Got 'em at last," he said, a mix
ture of pride and modesty in his voice,
and pointing with his pipe stem at
the brand new wings.
"I'm so proud, Philip" She en-
phasized this with another kiss and,
taking his arm, led him towards the
house.
"Have to get after the Jerrys in
earnest now, what?"
She shuddered inwardly at this,
knowing that the Germans might al
so get after him, but outwardly she
was cool, asking, "How did you work
a leave?"
"Calm before the storm idea, you
know. The C. o. just sort of showed
me off. Said to go and spend few
days with the family until there was
an opening into which he could shove
me. Casualties haven't been terribly
heavy these last days, you know
They've definitely promised me the
the Hornets, Ranked number one al
machine-gun practice and all that
sort of thing. First in line, you
know" AS he talked he pulled vic.
lently at his pipe, and smoke came
from his mouth in great puffs.
Again Wendy shuddered, and helc
more tightly to his arm. What wa.
this he was saying about waiting fol
an opening in the Hornets? Exactly
what did it mean? 1t was her habit