The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-25
A YANK In
THE R. A. F.
Continued ron Page ID
Nv HARLAN THOMAS

but she heG lelefrapneo I'm 70
saw that she would be in the VII
laes Of Mansion at noon.
II vas the first Sunday Of sum
mer. Warm sun streamed over the
sheepfolds. the meadow the small
church and manor lawns. Church
goers streamed along the roads
and lanes. wearing their best The
ar was still: the battle Of the
coast had been lost-snd won.
Tim stood waiting for her at the
village crossroads in front Of the
inn. He saw her coming IN the
open car. wearing her pert uni
form. her face touched by the gilt
tering light.
Tim" she called as she drew
Up. They shook hands How are
YOU. dear ," she asked, a little
breathlessly. Her hair was wind
blown from the fast drive. Good
Lord, I was afraid
He opened the door and slipped
in beside her. His grin was vague
ly confused and sheepish. How
did you find out about me-so
soon, l mean ," he asked. Il didn't
tell you I got transferred.
"Oh, I know somebody in the
Intelligence Service" she said
gaily, echoing him from months
ago.
The hell you do" Then his
face grew overcast Who was It
really who told you"
She did not answer. but placed
her hand upon his, as If to ask
that that ne inquire no more.
"Oh, I know" he said suddenly,
with a far-off hint of bitterness.
Morley, I'll bet. He would. He's
so damned good. He wouldn't keep
anything from you-eh?"
Let's drive, shall we?" She
started the car and turned into an
ivy-walled lane. They drove out
along sandy side road. After
while. quietly. she said, You're
right, Tim. He kept nothing from
me. He let me know just what
you'd done-over there"
He sat back uncomfortably.
you don't mind, do you, Tim"
He did not answer.
1T was quite a show, wasn't
it ?" she said finally. smiling.
Yeah" He glanced away along
the hedges as they passed.
DO you like 1t better being in
a fighter squadron ," she went on,
a little desperately.
He was still looking ahead. II
don't mind" He stretched. He was
wearing a new. stiff uniform tunic
his old one had been soaked and
ruined. All / mind is wearing this
new piece of goods It's like maxi
ing me start all over"
She slowed the car. But it's
true, Tim. You are starting all
over"
How do you mean"
She smiled as If she were keep
ing a secret.
A week and half later. at the
same time of day, a small group
Of people were emerging into the
sunlight of summary London from
the portals of a lean, graceful
sandbagged church-one of Chris
TOPPER Wren's most famous. Red
buses rumbled past them and de-
livery carts clattered, unheeding.
From within, the organ music of
Mendelssohn's Wedding March
could be heard. A group Of uni
formed officers-several of whom
had sat in the pew once sacred to
Lord Delby-appeared and blinked
as they reached the MONDAY glare.
All were wearing the slate blue
dress of the Royal Air Force.
Some wore the striped ribbon OF
the Flying Cross above their
wings. Now. chatting and laugh
ing. they formed themselves into
two lines at the church door.
Among them were Flight Lieu
tenant Starting Richardson, Fly
ing Officer Wales, and, at the head
of the line, the gray-haired and
beribbonsd Group Captain of the
bomber section.
Guests came out in groups. One
of them was Mrs. Pillby, wearing
black. but with a large white cor
sage pinned TO her. She glanced
proudly at the brother officers and
smiled as she passed. Then Wing
Commander Morley appeared in
the doorway. stocky, restored.
wearing a fresh uniform, biting
his moustache and then laughing.
He beckoned TO someone inside.
The officers started throwing rice.
Come on. come on" Morley call
ed. Suddenly ne, too. tossed a
handful OF rice At last Carol ap-
pesred-on Tim Bakers arm.
Both looked radiantly happy.
The officers cheered and threw
rice at them. and they crossed the
pavement TO the FIRST of a line of
waiting cars. Just then another
sound-swelling. ominous. wailing
was heard over the organ echoes
and the chatter. Tim and Carol
were climbing into the car. An air
raid warden wheeled past quickly.
blowing MS tin whistle. Take
cover Take cover" he called.
You'd better take cover"
That's just what we're going 10
do" Tim laughed out Of the win
dow. AT the Savoy
He slammed the door. The siren
shrieked. The officers waved an